That IS a funny story, mwoods, and a smart dog! I live in a very small town, but until a few years ago, I lived in a large city, in cookie-cutter suburbia, so I know both. I like when the waitress at the restaurant down the street asks about my son even if he's not with me that time. I like not needing to send my ID through the tube at the bank because they recognize me. The lady at the garden store asks about my Mom and how my plants that she agreed to special-order for me are doing. It's a much more accountable existence. Most people who are bothered by others knowing what they are doing are probably up to no good. Definitely if you live in a small town, a lot of conversations start out, "I saw you..." It is sad that people are so busy "doing things" they hardly have or take time to just sit and talk. My honey and I sit on the front porch and talk for a while most evenings while we watch the sun go down and/or the busy busy birds. Priceless! It never gets boring to me. Those were always my favorite moments in Mayberry, the conversations on Andy's front porch. RIP, Andy. We loved you well!

I don't go to all of them, if it's hot, or a big show, I get tired. DH wants to stand and talk to everyone, and I can't stand very long. I go to the small close ones.

Its not the size of the town, but the people who work there. Have you read about the "Koss" case? Koss is a maker of popular headphones. Their lady executive stole millions over several years before it was detected. She took enough to jepordize the survival of the company. She did not "need" the money, but wanted to live high and apparently is a kleptomaniac. She stayed away from people's personl belongings, but the company coffer was fair game. She also had a 'thing' for shoes - had 400 pairs of expensive shoes and some had been worn only once. Some of the money she stole was used to make big gifts to charities, apparently not for good will, but to put on a show of wealth.

writersblock I know exactly what you mean about how the house is arranged,walls and windows wise, as to how useful it is or comfortable. The last house we had had NO walls in the kitchen for cabinets. One of my china cabinets was in the laundry room and the other in my office/sewing/art studio. Finally here I have my china cabinet back in the kitchen. I am so much happier with it that way. Also the smaller house we had had high up from the floor windows so you could out a dresser under the window or...... Here all the windows are 19 0r 20 inches from the floor so we just have to have some of some of the windows blocked. It is not as bad to do so as I thought it would be. I was horrified at the thought at first. Here we do have what to some seems like a huge wasted space master bath.12 1/2 foot by guessing 8 or 9 foot. There is a reason for it. A second mud room for the us and dogs and if later my DH or I get ill it will be nice to be able to put a comfortable chair or?? in there the ill one can sit on while the other one of us administers to whatever. marti8a I posted a link to my mosaics below.I am a little bit insane in some of the things I do.LOL I am chomping at the bit for winter and snow to come. Might even happen this weekend!!! Considering pulling my hoses up tomorrow and just leaving one big long one to drag around.Better yet put them all away and let mother nature take her course.This year has just flown by. WOW Chris Here is a link that might be useful: Mosaics