Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Small Towns Need To Make A Comeback
There's something quintessential about the American small town. Many places have kept up quite well and have enough things within its confines to remain standing and not dry away and die. Other places? Well, they haven't, for one reason or another.
When you drive through a small town, it's not just an oasis after a long drive in the countrysides. It's not just a drink of Coca-Cola after a long scurry through a desert. It's not just a restroom stop (provided, of course, any of them are open) and shouldn't have to be. In America, a small town has to be a special place, a harbor, but also, a place to hang out. And even in 2017, it can still be. A town square, a general store, a soda fountain, a water tower, an old church, a gas station, vintage signage, and even a flashing beacon light all don't have to disappear. They can reappear and stay put. And what about ghost towns? They can have new life in them. Real buildings, with real life, and real people. Decayed, worn-out buildings can become new again and display a vibrancy.
I thought about this the other day when I've read articles about Texas' new Interstate 14: What if there some new towns in the most desolate places? Well, why not? As planned for the future, the first 100 miles of I-14 in Texas would only have two towns along that stretch. Two. If you look at a map of U.S. Highway 190, you'll find the towns of Iraan and Eldorado, roughly 80 miles apart from one another in West Texas, going from I-10 on eastward. That's not good for travelers who have less than a quarter of a tank of gas left if the interstate existed today. As it is, U.S. 190 is a lonely highway west of Brady, Texas.
There really needs to be a movement, not only in West Texas, but in other parts of the country, to create new settlements and replenish established ones. Americans need to recapture the charm and the quintessentiality of the small town. I'm reminded of that charm even in a place that's not a small town anymore, Frisco, Texas, whose Old Town district contains vintage buildings and cottages. Those cottages are seen with Old Glory and the Texas flag on proud display out front. That's only a small glimpse of the charm of a small town.
When you drive through a small town, it's not just an oasis after a long drive in the countrysides. It's not just a drink of Coca-Cola after a long scurry through a desert. It's not just a restroom stop (provided, of course, any of them are open) and shouldn't have to be. In America, a small town has to be a special place, a harbor, but also, a place to hang out. And even in 2017, it can still be. A town square, a general store, a soda fountain, a water tower, an old church, a gas station, vintage signage, and even a flashing beacon light all don't have to disappear. They can reappear and stay put. And what about ghost towns? They can have new life in them. Real buildings, with real life, and real people. Decayed, worn-out buildings can become new again and display a vibrancy.
I thought about this the other day when I've read articles about Texas' new Interstate 14: What if there some new towns in the most desolate places? Well, why not? As planned for the future, the first 100 miles of I-14 in Texas would only have two towns along that stretch. Two. If you look at a map of U.S. Highway 190, you'll find the towns of Iraan and Eldorado, roughly 80 miles apart from one another in West Texas, going from I-10 on eastward. That's not good for travelers who have less than a quarter of a tank of gas left if the interstate existed today. As it is, U.S. 190 is a lonely highway west of Brady, Texas.
There really needs to be a movement, not only in West Texas, but in other parts of the country, to create new settlements and replenish established ones. Americans need to recapture the charm and the quintessentiality of the small town. I'm reminded of that charm even in a place that's not a small town anymore, Frisco, Texas, whose Old Town district contains vintage buildings and cottages. Those cottages are seen with Old Glory and the Texas flag on proud display out front. That's only a small glimpse of the charm of a small town.
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Comments
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It'll be the honor for me to read your posts, I look forward to it. For example: How to Introduce Essay Writing | Kraft Articles - is one of my favorite places.Posted 11-08-2017 at 07:29 AM by ReggieBucks
Updated 11-08-2017 at 04:53 PM by case44
