I never thought I would say this about any blog …. but you just made me cry a little. Maybe some back story is in order. I have been homesick for months! And am eagerly anticipating my winter visit to CA. I grew up in “The Valley” (Forest Knolls and Lagunitas) and moved to the East Coast in 2002. The idea of a small town (not the suburbs) still has such a tight grip on me. There is something very romantic about the idea of living in a place like Fairfax. Left-wing liberal, close to a major city, quirky and full of beauty. In the years living away I have become accustomed to all that is “city” and often wonder if I could really transition back to living in a small town.

So when I read your post after a long day at work (including three crying four year olds and a flat tire) I was so happy. Happy mostly because it sounds like you are doing well and also happy for Fairfax that it can now count you as a resident!

You have summed up my fears/loves of west marin. Oh nostalgia.

Good luck on all your adventures!

-Sara

p.s. go to roy’s redwoods it is even better on a slightly foggy day.

Changing your lifestyle is both exciting and daunting at the same time as it is always the fear of the unknown that makes one wonder if you should take that first step to change. You have taken that first step and I wish you and your partner much happiness in your new life.

Kathy – countryfarm-lifestyles

Natazzz — Enjoy your big city living.

Quietness and tree smell is overrated.

Enjoy your domestication.

I’ve been reading your blog for a while on RSS, but this is the first time I’ve commented.

My hat’s completely off to you! I’m a city femme through and through; the more dense and urban, the better, so I know I’d go stark raving mad in a town that small; you’ve got more strength than I.

I spend time with my friends even out in the burbs and it all seems too quiet, too white-bread. I often half joke that it’s not natural not to have street-lights through my apartment window, and a police siren every 10 minutes or so. The silence out there unnerves me.

Not to mention, of course, not having a car, and walking everywhere, including my supermarket right near my el (subway) stop and all the cafes in my neighbourhood. Knowing the gay-boy couple in the apartment downstairs are having a fight, or sitting out on the stoop with other neighbours in my building watching the city walk by in all its wonderful colours and stripes, particularly now as Fall hits and all the trees bury the cars parked on the street in brightly-coloured leaves.

Not to mention, a kick-arse burrito at 2am

But you’ve got me impressed, I know I couldn’t do that.