OK so here in Altoona, a place unfortunately recently known for acquiring some big city issues, I've had the fabulous experience of small town living repeatedly this week.  (cue the music John Cougar)

My friend is organizing a fundraiser, and asks me if someone with my (rare, super German) maiden name is related to me, as she bought tickets to the fundraiser as well.  Oh yes, of COURSE she is related!  (..."I cannot forget from where it is that I come from...")

The state of Pennsylvania regulates our automobiles once a year, and my soon to be classic Jeep was due by the month's end.  I scheduled it with my amazing and honest mechanic for Tuesday morning, and my buddy from work was going to pick me up on his way to work as I dropped it off...with a car that nickels and dimes me as mine does Tom and I have this routine down pat.  And usually my 'man' is open before his 7:30 start time...which coincidentally is MY workday start time.  Tuesday he was not though, and we were getting later and later, when suddenly, a woman gets out of her car and yells my name.  I look, and it was my Great Aunt, whom I've not seen in years!  She not only was thrilled to see me, but offered to hold my keys till the mechanic got there for me, so I could get to work!  ( "..I cannot forget the people who love me...")

I was at Giant Eagle when the manager (who i went to AAHS with and now lives around the corner from me) said to me "Do you and your mom always come shopping at the same time?"  I had no idea my mom was even there, and when I caught up with her, she and I went through the store together.  Where else in this world do you get to go grocey shopping with your mom by chance?  ("... yeah I can be myself here in this small town...")

A friend of ours won a radio contest for Curve Owners Box tickets for last night's game for 20 people, and they included us.  I alerted Steamer, who I coincidentally happen to know well, and questionably share a few genetic markers with.  He came up and visited us and made a big fuss and was super fun, and added greatly to the frivolity of our evening.  ("...had myself a ball in small town...")

So maybe I drive through areas like Virginia's horse country or Maryland's Eastern Shore and long for a home there.  And perhaps I am right about the geographic features there being more pleasant as I imagine them to be.  But for me, being in Altoona, and reaping the benefits of the small town by interacting and recognizing people, I realize that moving there would take me YEARS to replicate the bonds and fortunes that I have in the small town I was raised in.   (..."Got nothing against a big town
Still hayseed enough to say, Look who's in the big town, But my bed is in a small town, Oh, and thats good enough for me")