The porch is decorated for Christmas! Let the festivities and theft begin!
People assume a certain level of story book charm comes with living in a small town. Shopkeepers who know your name, people referring to store owners as shopkeepers - that sort of thing. A lot of what you assume about small towns is true. News does travel fast, stores do shut down at 5 o'clock and there are way more churches than grocery stores.
But other things you might assume are probably not true. I for one have literally never seen a tumbleweed rolling down the street. A goat? Yes. A tumbleweed, no.
There's also the assumption we are living in a crime free Narnia where anyone born with the slightest predisposition to delinquency is shipped off to the big city before they can do any real damage. Also not true. We small town folk have thieving assholes too.
Especially around Christmastime where Christmas lights are broken, garland ripped down and nativity scenes tipped over.
This is what I call assholyness.
Last year I was subjected to it myself when my antique wood sleigh was stolen from my front porch. I loved that sleigh. Chances are it was teenagers that took it as opposed to a band of marauding antique dealers. So this year there's one less thing on my porch and one additional. There's no sleigh, but I've filled its spot with some buckets.
And two security cameras.
One in a very conspicuous spot and one in a very inconspicuous spot. Then there are 3 more around the perimeter, just to be safe.
I know. Not very small town is it? If it helps ease your small town fantasy, as I was putting the cameras up earlier this year my neighbours and I all stood around staring at them with our hands on our hips discussing what this world has come to. We did this the day before we held our annual BYOC (bring your own chair) block party. We block the road off with trucks and hockey nets. So there's that.
There is however a lot more neighbourliness in this small town than there is assholyness. When my dining room smelled disastrously like cat pee 2 days before hosting Thanksgiving dinner (the result of a renal failure cat and ripping up a wood floor) one of those shopkeepers showed up unannounced at my house with both a Lampe Berger to help get rid of the smell and a flat of hollyhocks she grew.
Whenever it snows my neighbour digs out my driveway for me. Whenever my neighbours are out of a cup of sugar (or a Tablespoon of vinegar, yard bags, milk for morning tea or even extra dishes for Thanksgiving dinner) they come to me.
When someone's child went missing in town a few of summers ago hundreds of people came out to look for him. When he was found entire streets were filled for his vigil. His name was Finn and he was as cute as a button. His mother is Vanessa. We went to high school together.
Yes, there's theft, yes there's vandalism, yes there's tragedy in a small town. But when it happens we know who our neighbours are to warn them, help them and even hold them. We let them know if our shed has been broken into, if the lady on the corner is sick and when butter is on sale at the grocery store.
So yes, something might get taken off of my porch and I might or might not catch them with my cameras. If something is stolen I'll be angry and hurt and for a few minutes I'll lose all hope in this world and its humans.
But then I'll remember there's more good than bad, more helpful than harmful and more hope than hate. Not just in a small town. Everywhere.
I leave you this year with those thoughts as I pack up shop until January. It's been a pleasure to bring you bits of my life and work all year long.
p.s. I had a whack of shots of me grinning like a fool at the camera, but this is the one I chose. In it I'm keeping an eye on a group of hooligans. The one on the Big Wheel looked particularly suspicious.
Renee
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Karen. Thank you for all of your posts. Over the years, some of your posts are a part of my daily life. Just last night I was wearing your recommended coat around a fire we made outside which I started with your recommendation for homemade fire starters. Enjoy your much deserved holiday !
Debbie
Merry Christmas from someone who has lived in both! The Southside of Chicago and a little town of about 6300 people today. Small town living is quaint but we're rural so it comes with it's own challenges.
Thank you for a year of great reads and lots of ideas! Enjoy your time away from cyber world!
Kris
Merry Christmas Karen! And thank you you another year of inspiration and entertainment.
Deb
Thank you Karen for an amazing year filled with love laughter and all things good and bad. May your Christmas be filled with Peace & Love!
Lori
Love this post, Karen. It is hard sometimes to remember that there is more good than bad....but you are absolutely right. Perfect sentiment for this time of year. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful start to the New Year. Have fun dreaming up all your projects for the coming year!
Shannon Cruz-Herr
Your posts bring me endless smiles, giggles and “I am totally stealing that idea!” So I finally thought I should just leave you a dang message saying so. Happy Holidays and thank you for spreading your good cheer.
Suzanne Reith
Merry Christmas Karen, and thanks for brightening so many of my days this year.
Maggie Van sickle
May you have a blessed and Merry Christmas Karen. Enjoy your family. Your home both inside and out is beautiful as always.
Suel Anglin
Thank you Ma'am for sharing your remarkable take on living well. I'm looking forward to seeing your posts in the new year. Being in school full-time and working part-time I haven't had a chance to enjoy all your blogs this year. But Joy! Now I have the time and the presence of mind to catch up!
I wish you, your folks and all your fellow Canadians, peace, good health and prosperity for the new year.
Suel from WNC
Karen
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Ive loved stumbling onto your blog and now have 2 espalier apple trees thanks to you. Thanks for sharing what you are up to with the world.
Thera
Merry Christmas
jaine kunst
Merry Christmas, Karen and thank you for all the DIYs, beautiful photos, delicious receipes and funny posts.
Kimberly
Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your home and thoughts with us!
Kat
Have a merry and a happy! Enjoyed another year of theartofdoingstuff and look forward to next years adventures!
Thank you so much for sharing with us!!
Kat
Krista
Thank you for all of your entertaining blogs throughout the year. They are informative, funny and a joy to read. I do believe this was my favorite, however, because it helped to remind me that despite all the tragedy and ugliness this year has brought, there is still hope and good people in the world. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Neil Ramlow
Thank you Karen
You took me into your clutch of followers as a stray from Minnesota. Living deep in the wilderness,,,, ok well the country many of your posts apply to my lifestyle and add a bit of bounce to getting things done. Now its time to dance.
Jenny W
Merry Christmas, from one "small town" Canadian girl to another!
Enjoy the Holiday Season, and I'll be here with bells on, when you return in 2019 :)
judy
Thanks Karen for all the laughs,amazing accomplishments! and thanks to all of the influences in your life that made you such a unique and interesting-actually fascinating human being.
I know 2019 is going to be great for you and all your readers cause you and they are just the smartest nicest people.
Cathleen
Your porch is fab...love it! I love your humor, your style, talent and amazing energy...you make me laugh and you have taught me so much. Merry Christmas and have a lovely, restful break. See you next year.
Catt-in-Kentucky
Cynthia H Adams
Merry Christmas, Karen. Thank you for your posts.