There are just some things that are common in the midwest, and most midwest rural towns have some of the same characteristics. Of course, there are exceptions, such as when a town has less than 100 people and the only places of business are a gas station and a post office. But I went around my little town a couple different days and noticed some things that have been common to every small town in the Ozarks I have lived in or been to, and some things that were just odd.
For instance, in nearly every rural town there will be a water tower in a prominent place in town, high enough to be seen far and wide, and plastered on the side of its domed top will either be the town name or the picture of that town’s high school team mascot.
You know it’s a small town if you pass an American Legion hall or a Kiwanis club gathering place.
Most cities and towns are aggressive when it comes to keeping trees away from power lines. Many workers are unconcerned about what the trimming does to the look of trees. In my little town, though, the trimmers get creative.
Enough of the tree had to be left to fully shade the city bench without too much encroachment on the power lines.
The local farm store doesn’t just sell farm equipment. They also sell a full line of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and footwear, toys and gifts. For busy farmers, this is a one-stop shop, especially at Christmas!
Only in the country might you be driving along and pass a Halloween decoration made out of a hay bale. I love this!
On a gloomy, drizzly day Lucy and I decided to go out and take a look-see around.
She always looks ticked-off in every picture I take of her for some reason. She really is a happy little dog, and loves riding in the truck. I’m not sure how I always capture the mad dog look.
We were parked in town by the local thrift/antique store, which is never called a thrift store in most small towns. But they always have a lot of interesting new and old things to see, and yes, antiques as well.
Driving by and spotted a church steeple…
Usually those are pointing upwards. Well, we didn’t have a recent storm that blew this steeple down, it’s just the first stage of our church installing a new steeple. We’re so excited!
I was walking through a field and looked down to see, among all the dead and dying grass and such, something unusually colorful that stuck out. Somehow a little sprig of artificial leaves had found their way to the middle of that field. Huh.
When we moved to our house earlier this year, it was still winter and the trees were mostly all bare. Only a few months later we would be treated to a blooming array of spring flowers everywhere. In our own yard were pretty trees, but we didn’t really know what all of them were.
This is a few shots of a tree that is doing something neat from the early start of spring to late Fall, whether it’s blooming, full of green leaves, then berries, the Fall leaves and berries both. And, we have no idea what kind of tree this is! Any guesses?
There are also several Bradford pear trees in our yard, which are fully covered in white blooms in spring, and beautiful red foliage in Fall. These are some of the pears on them–unfortunately, they are not edible. Dang.
I must say, City Boy and I are lucky–we live in a rural town that is scenic as well as functional. Lots of pretty, flowering trees in the spring, and beautiful color in the Fall. Friendly people abound here, and you don’t even have to know them! Amazing little town.
Can’t beat it. Just can’t beat it.
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