Living in the boondocks isn't just for rednecks anymore, but not that it ever was to begin with. No one knows that better than me because I've never lived any other place (and proud of it).

Oh, I have thought about it especially when it comes to Friday and Saturday nights (date nights). I especially think about it when it comes time to run to the store for some special item (DVD or CD) that can only be located in the bigger stores 25-35 miles away. I think about it when I want to go to a new movie that is playing.

The other day a food commercial came on that really caught my attention. I wanted to jump in my car and drive straight to Jonesboro or Memphis for dinner. Then reality sat in and I remembered the price of gas and food. I knew I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.

I could think of a few reasons it would be nice to live in the bigger cities but I could think of so many more for living in the rural area.

Some people think it is okay to live next to someone that you only know when you speak to them each day as you leave for work. We don't have that problem in a small town. People know if a stranger comes to town. Everyone knows everyone or at least they think they do. There are times that I get upset because some people know your business before you do (if you know what I mean) and don't mind telling it.

People in smaller towns are usually friendlier and speak to you even if they don't know you on a first name basis. If I had my way, I think I had rather know my neighbor.

In the big cities, everything and everybody is always in a rush and it's so congested. You can always tell if someone is from the city by the way they drive. If they're on your bumper, bearing down, it is a dead giveaway that they're not from around here. On our two-lane roadways, we go at a much slower pace. There's usually some type of farm equipment on the road and we see very little traffic (which once again can be annoying at times).

In the country however, we have plenty of open spaces to roam. There's enough room to walk the dog and the kids have a place to safely ride their bikes. We still go out at dark to catch fireflies, star gaze, have rocking chairs on the porch and take moonlit strolls down dirt roads. We all own 4-wheelers and dirt bikes and love to go muddin'. (Something not found in the bigger cities).

Once again, it the city, there are so many nice stores and public transportation right at your finger tips. Even in the country, technology creeps into our lives but when the chips are down, when the car has broken down, when the power is out or some tragic event has occurred, your neighbor is there for you. They have been there numerous times and will again.

We can't wait until Sunday to attend our "country" church and visit with our neighbors, where once again everyone knows everyone and are usually so friendly.

I think it is better for our children to attend smaller schools because teachers and students are more cooperative with each other. Most parents and teachers are more aware of their surroundings.

In the country, you can open your windows in the morning or evening without all the air pollutions that the factories and vehicles bring from the city life.

The crime is becoming a problem everywhere but at least in the smaller areas people are more aware of their surroundings. As mentioned above, country people are more aware of strangers and they look out for each other.

The real and main reason I guess that I am still here is roots. Both sets of my grandparents and parents were and still are here. Roots and family penetrate better in warm earth than in the concrete.

What do you think? Let us know your opinion on urban vs. rural live.