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.
CONNIE VOLKMAN
I so enjoy your posts which come to my feed right before I go to bed. And no you don't give me nightmares but plenty of ideas when the creativity of the brain is running on empty.
Looking forward to 2019 and all the wonderful things you will bring us.
Thank you and hope you have the best of Holidays.
Connie
Karen
Thanks Connie! Now I feel pressure to bring wonderful things next year. ;) ~ karen!
Terri J.
I get so much from your posts....learn things, get-out-of-my-comfort-zone nudges and laugh at your wicked sense of humor. Thank you...I know it takes time and effort...and I appreciate it.
Karen
Thank you for recognizing that Terri. I appreciate it! ~ karen
Bev out west
Small town, big blog!
This is a nice community.
Thank you Karen. Happy 2019.
Karen
Thanks Bev. Same to you.` karen!
Heidi
I love watching all of your crazy ideas, sawing the kitchen cabinet to make it fit, your chicken card, the floor thing sounded alittle manic, as we all heald our breathe to see was goming nexr. I still thing about eating that dame frog. You are my saving star, my beasttest star , U U your powers well, Cant what till💕 2019🍾
Karen
Every morning. Eat the frog. ;) ~ karen!
Jamie
Merry Christmas!
PS - can you give me some info on the boots your wearing?
Jenni Reiz
Happy Christmas , Karen! Thanks for all your posts, I've really been enjoying your take on "keeping" house and garden and LIFE together! Hope you have a wonderful holiday week, and best wishes for 2019! Jenni in Edmonton
Karen
Life?? Oh, I have no life. ;) ~ karen!
Karen
Your posts are a joy to read! Thank you for all the energy you put into them.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and an exciting New Year!
Karen
Thank you Karen. It *does* take a lot of energy! Hence, I need a week off every year, lol. ~ karen!
Rose
Lovely outside as well as inside. Hope you have a great Hygge experience over the holidays. If they wanted the sleigh so badly, let them have it. You'll find another one even better.
Karen
Thanks Rose. ~ karen!
Karin in NC
Thanks for everything you do, Karen. Best wishes for 2019 and happy everything!
Karen
Thanks Karen! Happy everything to you too, lol. ~ karen!
Ann
Your porch looks beautiful. I really love getting your email notices then reading your posts. Your quirky sense of humor cracks me up. 2019 will be great!
Jody
Merry Christmas. Thank you for all your entertaining and inspiring posts this year. Looking forward to what is to come in 2019. All the best to your family as well; Betty, Fish Pedicure, Pink Tool Belt.
Barb
Your house looks great. I went by yesterday on my daily walk. Thank you so much for your wonderful blogs and the ideas that you share all year. I look forward to the my morning coffee and your posts. They go together perfectly. Have a happy and relaxing holiday and all the best in the new year.
Christie
As much as I hate to be repetitive, I hate more not to tell you how much I've enjoyed your blog. Someone introduced me to 'you' this spring and I've looked forward to reading every single one of your highly smile inducing (and, yep, informative ) posts. You're definitely a kindred spirit ...well, except for that ripping-up-the-floor thing, but I was rooting for you all the way ;) . Thanks for quitting that other silly ol' job you had to bring cheer and ideas and how-tos to the rest of us. Merry Christmas!
Nancy
Thank you! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love, love, love you and reading your stories and inspiration for more creativity and projects. Take care and watch out for those porch pirates!
Sandra D
Have a nice time off - see ya next year! From Sandra in Calgary.
Lynda Loy
Merry Christmas Karen and a Wonderful New Year! Thank you for a fun and interesting year. I'm so glad I stumbled across your blog that day! Can't begin to tell you how much fun I've had this past year with you. Here's to 2019 being just as grand!
Deb Wostmann
And a very Merry Christmas to you! I'll be looking forward to your wicked sense of humor to carry me through 2019.
Eileen
What everyone else said!
Have a wonderful blog-break Christmas and New Year Karen!
And happy holidays to all in this blog-community.
Sabina
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Karen! Thanks for adding a little something extra to my days!
Shellie
Thanks Karen for a wonderful blog. Yours is the one I go to for a sure giggle or a laugh out loud guffaw. Many thanks for lightening the hearts of many.
Peace.