Green Acres, Here We Come
Since about 1994, I’ve dreamed of moving to the country. Many times, my husband and I would talk about location, wells, source of power, how to stock up for winter, etc. Then we would put it on the back burner and continue our city existence.
Last summer we visited family and extended family in Slovenia and Austria. As it turned out, they all lived in the country. Well, country there is very different from country here – not rural or remote, the way we think of living in the country in North America. We both fell totally in love with the people and the countries, the lush greenery, flowers spilling out from every window box and balcony. When we finally returned to our penthouse, we got so depressed. First thing my husband said as we dropped the suitcases was, “I want to go back”. I concurred. Well, we can go back to visit but we live here. Oh, how we both longed to get away from the pollution, the noise, and the traffic – that relentless stream of autos and trucks from which there is no relief. How I longed to see stars in the night sky. I, too, want flowers spilling out from every window box.
Although I’d been searching the internet for about a year, more out of curiosity than anything else, now I began my search in ernest. It was a lot of work. It took up a great deal of time. I saved endless listings. My search spread to most of Southern Ontario. In my work I have no geographical boundaries so anywhere is good. I could have moved out of the province and it would still have been good, but I decided to stay close to friends, at least close enough that we can hook up from time to time.
We looked at properties West as far as London and South to Port Rowan, North as far as Tobermory and East as far as Peterborough. Finally, we settled on Eastern Ontario, a 105 year old farm house on an acre of land within walking distance of the little village of Hastings, population 1200. Eeehaw!
I have been teased mercilessly by my friends. “You’ll have to buy a cow. No milk delivery there.” Actually, no postal delivery nor paper delivery, that’s true and only a well for water and septic bed instead of sewers. However, we do have high speed internet, so there. “Your well will run dry. Oh well, you can always grab a pail and walk to the river.” And so it went.
Come to think of it, even five years ago, we couldn’t have done this. Technology or lack of, would have prevented it. For instance, I’ve switched to VOIP, so I keep my own number, meaning my clients and friends won’t have to dial long distance to speak with me. I have a virtual number for local calls. VOIP technology was not available a few years ago. Neither was high speed internet in rural areas.
So, as I sit here surrounded by boxes wherever I look, I hope things go as planned. Whatever happens, I’ll update this blog and our new life in the country.
The outside of the house is plain and boring, there is virtually no landscaping. This house has not been 
really loved in a long time.
It was the kitchen and bathrooms that sold me. The stove is actually a gas stove made to look like a wood stove, JenAir gas grill on the kitchen island, built-in electric wall ovens, huge fridge/freezer, hardwood floors, central air. This is my idea of roughing it in the country.
