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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 2016)
in other words may5 2016 Small Town, Big World: Home Sweet Home By Britt Benson-Steele This month, “Small Town Big World” is a reminder that whether we go somewhere or stay put, there are things for which to be grateful for. As Rumi, the 14th century poet says so memorably, “Wherever you are, be the soul of that place.” After living overseas for a culmination of years, spending time in India, Thailand, and Indonesia for extended periods of time, I have come to realize that wherever I go, there I’ll be. The grass, in fact, is not greener on the other side. It’s just a different shade. Some things may be better. Some things are worse. Some things are definitely easier but some things are harder. That’s just the way it is. So why do we go “away?” Do we long for something different? Interesting? Inspiring? Or do we escape where we are because we’ve created a life worthy of some sort of escape? I suppose it’s different for everyone, but it ra th Health Se l Pa r bears asking the question. experienced an unusual wave When we lived in of gratitude as I realized, “Oh, Bali, we hardly ever had to wow! I don’t have to shuffle lift a finger. Our laundry was my feet across the floor here… done, groceries purchased, there are no snakes, scorpions, fruits and veggies washed nor rats rambling about our and chopped, beds were home in the darkness.” made, meals prepared, I remember how much I cleaning was done, and all loved traveling to the tropics, of our bills were prepaid where I could wear flip flops back in the US so we didn’t 365 days out of the year, sun, even have to mess with a eat mangos and hang out on phone bill. We found ways the beach…. But I also realize to busy ourselves and given how fortunate we are to come Larry Steele with Nyoman, our Pembantu (housekeeper) after that we lived there for six home to this side of the globe, she just returned from the market with all our produce, month stints, we discovered where I can be grateful for my now washed and ready to chop. right quick that the same sort warm, dry, snake-less, rodent- the sense of landing on US soil, and just of things we were wanting to somehow less home, and where I have a car with how good that feels. escape back home (too much to do, doors, and work that I love. Once, in the middle of the night not enough time for ourselves, etc.) we This place, big and small, this about a week after we returned to the managed to recreate all the way across country and this little town, are pretty United States following our last long- the world. Wherever we went: there we darn amazing, and I hope you someday term trip to Bali, I woke up to get a drink were get to travel to some sort of far-away of water and found myself shuffling my It is always amazing getting place, if only so you can come home feet across the carpet as I moved from the away… and it is always wonderful again and realize just how sweet it is. bedroom to the kitchen. I stopped, stood coming home. I remember distinctly still for a moment in the darkness and OPEN HOUSE September 6, Noon-6 pm Receive a $5 off coupon lo ca tio n! New Day Massage and Bodyworks RIDE INN ces vi Na tu ne w 9 Theraputic Massage Specializing in • Auto/Work Injury Rehabilitation • Medical Massage Cupping • Manual Lymph Drainage • Nutritional Counseling • Post Mastectomy Care • Oncology Support • Sauna on-site Dr. Carol McIntyre Naturopathic & Chinese Medicine 503.429.3928 cccmnd@yahoo.com naturalpathhealthservices.com 758 Weed Avenue Vernonia, OR, 97064 Heather Lewis, LMT, LMP, CLT, NT NowOpen!•15rooms•Fullyremodeled 900 Madison Avenue, Vernonia 503-429-0637 (c) 503-382-9380 jeromecordell@gmail.com 847 Madison Avenue, Vernonia For appointments call: 503-429-4677 Insurance accepted #10732 Bighorn Logging since 1981 Family Dining Contract Logging Full Breakfast Menu 503-324-2422 Burgers & Beer Prime Rib Fri & Sat 503.429.0214 Free Estimates Timber Purchases Timber Management Check us Out on Facebook Oregon Professional Logger certified since 1996 His unwavering committment continues to bring home positive results for all Columbia County citizens. Paid for by the Re-elect Tony Hyde Committee
