For those who have problems with rural Nebraska (Omaha, Valentine: insurance, motel)

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Dave1215

The one difference I hear is when it comes to a lack of understanding on the unique economic issues - people without a rural background don't understand (generally) the water or ag issues and the folks without a metro background don't understand (generally) traffic and infrastructure concerns

I agree completely with you. Having married a farm girl many years ago, this city slicker had a problem for years finding something to talk about with my father in law and all of his farmer friends. That is until I started subscribing to a couple of the farm magazines.

[SCGranny]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

You're kidding right?

That's one of the main things about small towns is EVERYONE knows your business. I just moved my grandmother out of small town Nebraska to Omaha because everyone was in her business constantly and there was no where she could go to get away from it.

Sure they know it, and even talk about it. But so what? Do they try to pass ordinances in town to control what your grandmother does, or try to send social workers over to change her life, report her to the cops constantly (which means that the cops come apologetically to her door because they have to) or try to take advantage of her to take whatever she has and leave her with nothing for spite? Were there little gangs of neighborhood hoodlums who would break into her home, her shed, her car, take whatever they wanted and damage still more - only to be excused by the cops and their parents as "just kids" - and then the little you-know-whats grew up, started using guns and knives to get what they wanted from her, while the parents poor-mouthed and said "I don't know what's wrong with them - I can't control them"!

Sorry, but I came here to get away from that. And -- I did. I know they talk about me, I know they are interested in me as a newbie, and I know that they will probably even say some hurtful things about me - some will. The rest won't. And I don't really care; because the caring and interest I've experienced more than makes up for the naysayers and bitter ones. And the whole attitude of 'minding one's own business' takes on a whole different aspect when people invade your property, your rights, and your possessions to treat them as their own - which doesn't happen, at least in this area.

[janzart]

Wow! Social liberals! Out here? I hear that claim all the time and then, I get this inner anger from same, about immigration and regulation of the blind owning a gun. Perhaps it's because I'm in a situation where I hire labor and I see who will actually work, in rural Nebraska.

[DTO Luv]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

Sure they know it, and even talk about it. But so what? Do they try to pass ordinances in town to control what your grandmother does, or try to send social workers over to change her life, report her to the cops constantly (which means that the cops come apologetically to her door because they have to) or try to take advantage of her to take whatever she has and leave her with nothing for spite? Were there little gangs of neighborhood hoodlums who would break into her home, her shed, her car, take whatever they wanted and damage still more - only to be excused by the cops and their parents as "just kids" - and then the little you-know-whats grew up, started using guns and knives to get what they wanted from her, while the parents poor-mouthed and said "I don't know what's wrong with them - I can't control them"!

Actually you pretty much just described the situation I moved her away from. Her own doctor even said that the crap she was putting with living there was causing enough stress to kill her.

Small town people are very into their cliques and if you're not in with the in crowd, especially if you're a young person, than your life can be a living hell in a small town. I have cousins in small towns who didn't make the best choices and despite their changes people in the town still shun them and treat them like lepers. My mom lived in small town NE until she was old enough to get the hell out because small town people are way too much into people's business.

[janzart]

So, help me. Especially SCGranny who seems very secure about her life in Nebraska. How do I come to terms with it and quit yearning for a city or a lusher climate or a diverse, youthful pop.?? I have to live here per marriage situation and I really wish for No. CA or Oregon. Tell me something that quells my restlessness on this flat, empty land.

[ehenningsen]

Originally Posted by janzart

So, help me. Especially SCGranny who seems very secure about her life in Nebraska. How do I come to terms with it and quit yearning for a city or a lusher climate or a diverse, youthful pop.?? I have to live here per marriage situation and I really wish for No. CA or Oregon. Tell me something that quells my restlessness on this flat, empty land.

I have all my needs satisfied in Omaha...

My suggestion, is to move far away where neither you nor the rest of us never have to hear each other again..

[ComputerUser000]

Originally Posted by ehenningsen

I have all my needs satisfied in Omaha...

My suggestion, is to move far away where neither you nor the rest of us never have to hear each other again..

Geez, how nice of you. Plus, that's not really an answer to her question.

However, that being said.. if "janzart" isn't happy here, there's not much any of us can say to would change her mind.

[janzart]

I'd like to fite ya,' Henningsen, but I'm still exploring. Defend yourself: What do you like about rural Nebraska? Have you lived elsewhere? How did it compare? What do you eat, out here? Are you a whole foods or processed foods--i.e. the restaurant venue bother you? Do you take walks--how do you like the landscape compared to the mountains?? I know, I know. Lions don't eat you, out here. When you want to commiserate w/another human, can you find someone who "gets it," is more than just nice to you or is that important to you? I just want to know your perspectives as I'm having a lot of trouble everytime I go "out" and come back to the empty center land. Maybe you're only talking Omaha. That's different and you don't get where I am.

[mattpoulsen]

Janzart,

Where are you in Nebraska?

Nebraska is pretty diverse, so without knowing its a bit hard to make a comparison.

[SCGranny]

You know, janzart, I really do understand your frustration. I have lived in cities of over a million population, towns that were much smaller. I have travelled all over the lower 48 and explored cities like Seattle, Orlando, and St Louis, and I know my way around Washington DC like a local. The reason I am so content here is simply that this is what I always wanted for myself - the other stuff was stuff I HAD to do, to make a living, to do what I needed to do to survive and to make a difference. I like to be around animals - wild and tame - I like to hunt and fish, I like to grow things and create things. I like the fresh clean air and the amazingly pure water. I like the silence of the long winter nights and the wildness of the plains' storms, summer and winter.

My daughter is 25, and she can see herself here - in another 20 years. But not yet! She still has things she wants to see and do; places she wants to go, foods and experiences and cultures she wants to experience. She doesn't want to give up her Starbucks' $5.00 lattes or her Olive Garden or her Thai peanut chicken. I've had all that, and frankly it bores me to tears, makes me crazy, drives me to drink just to tolerate the people who have to live like that, day in and day out. But that doesn't mean that she shouldn't have it too.

Peace doesn't come from others, it comes from within yourself. Now that I no longer have to run the maze, I can leave the rat race behind and do what I love to do. Everyone should do what they love to do. When I lived in places I didn't like, I stayed home, did my own thing, planted my gardens and played in my clay and made a nest for myself where I could do what I wanted, only showed my face to make a living and do what needed to be done. I raised my children to follow their own dreams no matter who or what was around them - and every one of them lives in a city - for now. Will they change? Possibly. But right now they are as happy and as busy as they choose to be, doing things they choose to do. Life is about choice. You can choose to let this be the most miserable part of your life - or you can choose to learn something from it, from the people who are around you.

I've been invited to calvings and brandings and to the local grape farm and winery, and that sort of stuff fascinates me. Then again, I once stood for four hours in Busch Gardens and watched some artisans make clay pots, and two hours in Williamsburg watching a silversmith make a teaset! Maybe it wouldn't fascinate you - but find something that does, something you can learn, something that can add to your own life. This is only a journey. What you learn will change you as you travel. Learn all you can - and maybe you'll find something that makes you happy.