The phrase "one horse town" (according to the internet) was an expression first used in the 1850's when there were more horses than people in some American towns. If a town had only one horse, it must have been really small with very little happening. Monmouth -- my one horse town. Not very little happening but you will see why I label it as such if you read on...
Here is some background on what you need to know about me if you do not already. I have this fear of childbirth. No, I am not pregnant now -- this is a fear that is always there. It's not your normal, nervous, scared to be pregnant fear -- this is a very real "I don't believe this is natural or possible" fear. In general, I really get nervous about illness and being where you need to be when you need care. So, when Josh asked me to move to the country with him -- well, all I could picture was giving birth in a straw pile in the barn with Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingells Wilder) assisting me -- with no drugs. Or, even in other instances, having something happen to one of us (heart attack, seizure, etc) and taking forever to get to the hospital. Irrational -- probably? Real feeling -- definitely! But, I tried to calm myself and said it would be okay -- even if I ever do have a baby and then I have to camp out at a hotel (no joke) near the hospital when I am nearing my eventual due date some day (hospital being at least 15 miles away).
The other thing you should know is that I love crime shows -- CSI; Criminal Minds; Law and Order: SVU. I watch them religiously. I love them. I study them. I learn about them. I live vicariously through some of these investigators. I also realized that most killers (specifically on Criminal Minds) are out in the woods, or the country, if you will. And due to this, I sometimes have to stop myself from watching this show at night when Josh is gone -- and I am not usually freaked out. But it happens now.
So...as you read on...remember those two items and perhaps you can understand my mind set as I engage in this conversation with my fiance.
Josh was telling me a story about something that happened at work and within the story he says..."...., and so we figured we should call the sheriff..." I let the story complete, before I ask, "what does that mean?" He seemed confused so I expanded to ask what the difference was between the sheriff and the police -- fearing the answer but praying it was just another country term and they meant the same thing.
It didn't. My fears were realized. The police, as we know them, do not service the country. The sheriff meets our needs if we need something out where we live -- but since he services the whole county, he might take awhile to get to us. WHAT?! I have flashes of labor, heart attacks, and escaped prisioners breaking into our house...
How does one call the sheriff? I am so perplexed. I say "Can't I just call 911 to get help???"
Josh confirms that I can - but that they will forward me to the sheriff. Who apparently may be busy or too far away to help me. The police...will forward me to the sheriff. My future father-in-law confirms this -- that the sheriff might be busy and that I might be better off calling a neighbor for help. Oh my gosh!
As Josh tells me this, I sit in stunned silence in the car. Now do I think we are going to need the "sheriff" often? No. Are my fears over the top? Well sure. But that still does not mean that this is not a concern...getting help, any kind of medical or police help, when you need help seems critical to me. I advised Josh that he left these details out, and it is amazing when you live a life, you sometimes forget what other people may not know. It never occurred to him to mention the police will not come and there is a mysterious sheriff who may come to my aid if he is not drinking coffee in Roseville at the bowling alley.
Needless to say, my phone contacts are now filled with neighbors. And when asked, "So, how do I reach this sheriff should I need to call?" Josh said, "Just call 911..." Well, that is if my phone service works...
Oh Monmouth -- my one horse town...
Country Livin'
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Stranger Danger does not apply in Monmouth, IL
I'm in a new place, with a new job, and let's face it, with limited friends. This means lunches are a little quieter than they use to be. I often spend that time alone, which I am finding is good quiet or planning time in my day. Since I love to read, I am often found armed with my Kindle in hand for some down time over lunch.
Today I went to Subway for a quick bite to eat before running a few errands. First, when walking in, I see my future sister-in-law in the drive through (how does that happen?!), and we chat. Then I go inside and hear a familiar voice behind me, only to find Josh's friend and groomsmen, Sean Lee. Small world. Familiar faces. I just laugh at how small this town is if we are that limited in our lunch rotation locations.
I sit at a table, open my Kindle, and begin my lunch - my introvert side takes over and I am pleased to not have to talk to anyone and rather escape into the solititude of my most recent book. I hear someone UN-familiar now say "excuse me".
When I look up, it seems like a nice older man, and he is standing at my table. He begins to inquire about my Kindle. This is not foreign to me as this happens more often than you would think -- both in Monmouth and elsewhere. People always want to know if I like the Kindle, do I use it a lot, etc. In this case, this man is thinking of buying one for his wife for Christmas so wants the details. I am happy to smile and provide them, especially when he apologizes and says that he does not intend to take me away from my reading long.
As we chat for a minute, he seems to develop more questions and then says "Mind if I join you?"
Ummm...guess not...
What do I say? So he sits.
I think, no big deal, just wants to rest his weary feet while he asks me his plethora of questions on the Kindle vs. the Nook, how easy it is to set up, which version of Kindle to buy, what if she doesn't understand technology, etc., etc. So I give him the scoop -- freely and happily -- because I LOVE my Kindle.
Something odd happens while he sits though -- he begins to open his lunch on the table where my lunch is already opened -- and now I am having lunch with this perfect stranger -- talking about where I work, how long I have lived in Monmouth, where he lives, Western Illinois University (yes, he went to school there too, but as he commented "probably graduated well before me"), and his comments on what my transition from Chicago to Monmouth must be like.
This is very odd to me -- I do not feel in danger (oddly since I am practically providing my life information) but rather just kind of weirded out that no one thinks this is out of place but me. In the city, this does not often happen...or maybe ever. You don't really even make eye contact sometimes, sadly. Maybe that's a problem in many ways. Not as open and friendly, I get that. Do people ask people questions, sure...as I said, people in airports or elsewhere have inquired about my Kindle...but no one has ever done it over lunch!
We never exchange names and I soon pack my lunch up to leave, with little of my book read. He apologizes for tearing me away from my reading but thanks me for the advice. He sells insurance, that's all I know. I hope his wife gets a Kindle for Christmas, and told him so.
I texted Josh immediately telling him that no way did a stranger just join me for lunch...only in Monmouth!
In Chicago we learned about strangers -- "Stranger Danger" -- don't talk to strangers. In Monmouth, I think they have different rules. As Mr. Outgoing (Josh) says, "I have never met a stranger". I, on the other hand, know plenty...and met another one today...WILD!
Today I went to Subway for a quick bite to eat before running a few errands. First, when walking in, I see my future sister-in-law in the drive through (how does that happen?!), and we chat. Then I go inside and hear a familiar voice behind me, only to find Josh's friend and groomsmen, Sean Lee. Small world. Familiar faces. I just laugh at how small this town is if we are that limited in our lunch rotation locations.
I sit at a table, open my Kindle, and begin my lunch - my introvert side takes over and I am pleased to not have to talk to anyone and rather escape into the solititude of my most recent book. I hear someone UN-familiar now say "excuse me".
When I look up, it seems like a nice older man, and he is standing at my table. He begins to inquire about my Kindle. This is not foreign to me as this happens more often than you would think -- both in Monmouth and elsewhere. People always want to know if I like the Kindle, do I use it a lot, etc. In this case, this man is thinking of buying one for his wife for Christmas so wants the details. I am happy to smile and provide them, especially when he apologizes and says that he does not intend to take me away from my reading long.
As we chat for a minute, he seems to develop more questions and then says "Mind if I join you?"
Ummm...guess not...
What do I say? So he sits.
I think, no big deal, just wants to rest his weary feet while he asks me his plethora of questions on the Kindle vs. the Nook, how easy it is to set up, which version of Kindle to buy, what if she doesn't understand technology, etc., etc. So I give him the scoop -- freely and happily -- because I LOVE my Kindle.
Something odd happens while he sits though -- he begins to open his lunch on the table where my lunch is already opened -- and now I am having lunch with this perfect stranger -- talking about where I work, how long I have lived in Monmouth, where he lives, Western Illinois University (yes, he went to school there too, but as he commented "probably graduated well before me"), and his comments on what my transition from Chicago to Monmouth must be like.
This is very odd to me -- I do not feel in danger (oddly since I am practically providing my life information) but rather just kind of weirded out that no one thinks this is out of place but me. In the city, this does not often happen...or maybe ever. You don't really even make eye contact sometimes, sadly. Maybe that's a problem in many ways. Not as open and friendly, I get that. Do people ask people questions, sure...as I said, people in airports or elsewhere have inquired about my Kindle...but no one has ever done it over lunch!
We never exchange names and I soon pack my lunch up to leave, with little of my book read. He apologizes for tearing me away from my reading but thanks me for the advice. He sells insurance, that's all I know. I hope his wife gets a Kindle for Christmas, and told him so.
I texted Josh immediately telling him that no way did a stranger just join me for lunch...only in Monmouth!
In Chicago we learned about strangers -- "Stranger Danger" -- don't talk to strangers. In Monmouth, I think they have different rules. As Mr. Outgoing (Josh) says, "I have never met a stranger". I, on the other hand, know plenty...and met another one today...WILD!
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