Living rural in Tennessee

This is the scene we woke up to this morning. Not much snow, but a LOT of ice. We do get snow here from time to time, sometimes as much as six inches or more. And transplants from up north laugh at us.

Because everything shut down. Today no church services for most, but that is very understandable. It’s ice, after all. No reason to be stupid. My mother always said the good Lord gave us common sense and we should use it.

Things shut down because we’re just not equipped for it in rural areas the way cities are. We don’t have snow plows. We don’t have the salt reserves. It’s an unnecessary expense as we don’t receive that much snow. But looking at the ice gave me the idea to share my thoughts about living rural in Tennessee.

A while back, I blogged about speaking Southern, so you may want to refer to that for further understanding.

Here are some facts about middle-aged and older folks living in a rural (small town) area in Tennessee.

1.  Everybody knows most everybody, even if they don’t actually know them. They’ve heard of them. If they don’t know them, then everyone knows that person is not really from here.
2. 2.  Because everybody knows everybody, you have to be careful about how you dress and where you go. People will talk. Believe me.
3. 3.  Snow is a big event. We get it, but it’s rare enough that it’s a big event. School is cancelled. Grocery stores sell out of milk and bread the day before. Why, I don’t know. I guess if you’re snowed in you can eat lots of sandwiches and drink milk.
4. 4.  Deer, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and possums don’t know that they should stay in the woods. They will come into your yard (or they do in my neighborhood) and devour your vegetables in your garden or spray your dog or stop and stare at you. I suspect everyone here has hit a possum while driving at least once. And let’s not forget the day I went for. walk and had a stare down with a bobcat who decided (thank goodness) that I wasn’t worth the interest.
5. 5.  Some people (I won’t mention names) actually listen to the funeral home (yes, we only have one) hotline each morning to see if someone they know has died.
6. 6.  People are identified by which church they attend. “Oh, yes, Sally Jean? She goes to the Methodist church, right?” or “Tommy? Isn’t he a deacon at First Baptist?”
7. .  Some people have ADT security, but most rely on dogs and guns. Really.
8. High school sports are a big deal. The smaller the town, the bigger the following. Packed stadiums and gyms are the norm on game nights. Not so much in our town, but we’re the biggest in the county. We actually have just over 10,000 residents. Big city, huh?
9. Walmart is more than a shopping destination. This is where you see everybody. And they stop in the middle of the aisles and talk. You can learn a lot at Walmart. Who’s going on vacation. Who’s getting a divorce. When the next church potluck is. Just act like you’re getting something off a shelf. You’ll hear it all.
10. There are no Ubers, no taxis. That’s what friends and families are for if your own vehicle is not an option.
11. We have the only movie theater within a 30-mile radius,, and the nearest mall is y0 miles away.
12. 12. The cost of living is cheaper here. You wouldn’t believe the house you could buy for a fraction of the cost of a Memphis or Nashville. Property taxes are cheaper. HGTV should check small towns out. They’d be amazed.
13. It’s okay if the neighbor kids cut across your yard. We don’t have sidewalks in my neighborhood. So, yes, it’s okay. I mean, the deer, skunks, raccoons, and other critters cross it at night or even in the daytime, so why not?

Just a few of the things that make rural or small town living what it is. I don’t live “out in the country,” so I can’t attest to what it’s like to deal with wells, septic tanks, and other things, but you know you’re in a rural area when you’re traveling down a four-lane highway, and you’re the only car traveling it for a stretch.

So if you’re thinking of moving to a small town in Tennessee, be prepared. This is likely what you’ll find!