Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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March 17, 2010

Country living just not for me

Robby Robertson The Athens Review

SALINA, Kan. — I am such a city boy at heart. Yes, I was raised right here in Henderson County, so you would think I would be country, but give me concrete and pavement any day, not dirt and pasture.

Unlike my brother, who is nine years younger than me, and was raised in dirt country near Waco, I was raised in Malakoff. Even though it’s considered rural, we still had paved roads and concrete driveways.

My brother grew up in what I consider deep country. He lived on a ranch with my dad and the roads were gravel and dirt, and there were pastures in every direction. That is just not my idea of good living.

If I lived in that environment, I think I would always feel dirty. I believe that because every time I went to visit, I felt like I had dirt all over me. It wasn’t because they were dirty people at all, it was because sand, dirt and grit were flying through the air on the ranch.

Now, I know there are some very nice ranches and farms around Henderson County, and I hear people say all the time how they would love to live in the country, instead of town. Not me. I do love visiting the countryside, but to have to live there? Give me uptown any time.

When you live in the country, most of the time you are at least 10 or more miles away from town. If you need something from the grocery store, you better make sure you get it while you are there, or that’s an extra trip into town.

I love convenience. I love being able to run to the movie store, or grocery store, in less than 30 minutes. If I need something really quick, like gas in my car or butter for my biscuit, I’m just moments away.

The other reason I like in-town living involves my automobiles. People who live in the country, and are not fortunate enough to have paved or concrete driveways always have dirty cars.

A lot of the roads that lead up to homes in the country are dirt or gravel roads. Therefore, their cars are always dirty.

The first home my brother lived in when he moved back to Henderson County was so far back in the woods, I don’t think Santa Claus could have found it. He loved it that way. He said no one would bother him, and it was quiet.

The road leading up to the house was paved partially, but had pot holes all the way up it. At night it was quiet, accept for the coyotes howling.

One night when I stayed with him, I was in bed, and was awakened to someone beating on my window. I had never ever had someone scare me like that. I jumped up, ran to his room, and told him someone was outside my window, and they were trying to get in.

I was even more alarmed when he jumped right up, grabbed his shotgun, and said “They better not be here again.”

We ran outside, and didn’t see anyone.

We walked back to my room, and  the window rattled again like someone was beating on it. We discovered it was the wind outside that was causing the window to rattle with such force.

I realized right then and there, country living was not for me.

There are so many people in Henderson County that love the country, pastures, rolling hills and being back in the woods away from everyone.

But give me highways, concrete, brick and steel. Give me busy streets, neighborhoods and shopping.

At least that way, I know what’s rattling my windows.

Robby Robertson is a staff writer for the Athens Daily Review.

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