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.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
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.
Bonnie Gutierrez
Karen , thank you for the reminder that most people are decent human beings if given a chance. Also thank you again for the time and effort you give to this spot… never a dull moment with you! No, seriously, I enjoy that you cull and present some very useful information and manage to entertain at the same time.
May your Christmas be merry and your New Year be happy, prosperous, and whatever else you want it to be!
Mliss
Thank you for your words of hope. These days here, in the states, it's not always easy to remember all the good.
Hope you & yours have a happy holiday.
Debbie from Illinois
Merry Christmas Karen and to the readers of your blog. We need more humor in our lives, this blog is the place to find it. We also learn how to do stuff. If you aren’t on Instagram, you must get an account. Karen’s Instagram stories are the best. 😃❤️🎄
Paula
Merry Christmas and wishing you much happiness and good health in 2019!
I too, live in a small town and we have a Facebook group - when someone broke into unlocked vehicles one night (there were quite a few because we don't lock much here), several people published their security footage and the culprit was recognized :) High school twerp.
Shelley Goodman
Thank you Karen for your amazing blog full of surprises. Merry Christmas to you and your family and neighbors too. I look forward to your blog in my inbox and have enjoyed it all. Cats, chickens and Jameson's too.
Jill
I live in your small town and have witnessed some of the same sadness and shenanigans. But it's a great little town and I have no desire to leve anywhere else.
I have enjoyed and been inspired by your posts Karen, and look forward to what you will bring to us in 2019. Me? I ordered my aerogarden (due to arrive today) and copper wire lights and vow to bring greater beauty and interest into my own life going forward.
THANK YOU!
karin
I found your blog recently and I feel like you must be my long-lost sister! I hope your holidays are assholyness-free. Don't let the bastards grind you down.
Katie C.
Thanks for another wonderful year, Karen. I look forward to your adventures and insight in 2019!!
Also, how did you get a picture of your door without a reflection of you or the camera?! What kind of witchcraft is that?!
Dave
Merry Christmas Karen,
Beautiful description of small town life. I had the honor of living in a very small town in Nebraska while in service and it was just as you described. Wonderful.
You have a great site I check it daily to see what you are up to.
Hope the new year brings you lots of peace and love.
d
Ann Brookens
You look adorable in your picture. Did the hooligan on the Hot Wheel cause any damage?
Merry Christmas and we'll see you next year!
diane r.
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours Karen.
You are simply the best! xo
whitequeen96
I will miss you while you're taking some time off. I know you deserve a chance to recharge, but you're my reward at the end of the day! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - I'll be waiting for you!
Andrea
Thank you for such an awesome blog. I live in a rural town of about 800, going on year four (7 churches and a market & 1/2). Now that's tiny. No dollar store. Fun times.
Laurie
Thank you for your posts....always inspirational! Have a wonderful holiday season!
Karen
Thanks Laurie. Wishing you a food, fun and family filled holiday as well. ~ karen!
Deanna J Chesney
Karen, I'm new to your blog, in fact I'm mostly new to blogs in general. I must tell you that I'm so enjoying yours. I love your irreverent humor to the trials and joys of homekeeping. I think we would be very good friends if you lived in my town. In my younger days (I'm 78 1/2 now) before arthritis came to live in my body, I loved to garden, shop, create all kind of projects, cover myself with paint and in between dream what to do next. Now I mostly live vicariously through the "Karens" of this world. So...please keep it up. I am depending on you. If you run out of projects, let me know. I might have some for you. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years. God Bless You
Karen
Thanks Deanna. :) I'm kind of looking forward to the days I can live vicariously through other people, lol. I need to learn to relax! ~ karen
Mary Kay
Dear Karen, One of the highlights of my year was stumbling across your blog. Can't say what I love the most: your quirky humor, creative genius, fearless tackling of any project, chicken family (I REALLY miss my flock of plump chestnut-hued ladies)...maybe just that your posts feel like a new "old friend" has blessed me with another "Hello! Look what I have for you today!!" Thank you for sharing your words and your home with all of us. Wishing you a blessed Christmas, and happiest of New Years!!
Mary Kay
Karen
Hi Mary Kay. Thanks very much! I may be doing a little addition to the coop next year so something for you to look forward to. :) ~ karen!
Jeannie
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and many blessing for the new year!
Karen
Thanks Jeannie, same to you. ~ karen!!
Michele
Karen,
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks so much for bringing such joy into my day each week with your posts. I SO enjoy them. Just know that if you’re ever in Denver, your sister from another mother is here!
Karen
Denver! Got it. :) Thanks! ~ karen
Benjamin
Merry Christmas from Las Vegas !! Let resounding joy ring from your rafters this Christmas. And let the magic of the Holy Day bring love and peace to you and to the world. Looking forward to beautiful new memories throughout the New Year. HUGS !!
Karen
Is that outside??? You can have a poinsettia outside?? Viva Las Vegas! ~ karen
Jerry Dlubala
Thanks for sharing your life and knowledge with us city dwellers who still long for the small town enrichment and old-timey neighborliness. It's been a pleasure finding you this year and keeping up with your antics. Yes, I called them antics, haha.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Karen
Thanks Jerry - you too. I worked in the big city for over a decade. They have their pockets of old timey neighbourhoods. :) ~ karen!