A Small Town Girl's Perspective

I grew up in a town called Springfield Center in Central New York State. I lived in a modest house--often referred to as a log cabin--that was deliberately built to save energy. It has a southward facing peaked roof (which cuts back dramatically on heating and cooling costs due to natural processes), is double insulated, and is heated with a pellet stove. We have a compost pile on our 4-acre plot of land which we regularly churn to make sure that waste is decomposing in a safe and beneficial way. We grow much of our own food in raised-bed gardens that my dad and I built together when I was very young. Though our gardens are not certified organic(the certification process is long and rigorous), we use only organic soils and natural methods to repel pests, such as planting specific herbs, flowers and vegetables next to each other.
The land across the street from my house is a farming field--often used to grow corn. On the far side of that field is a small forest where many hunters catch food for their families that can easily last through the winter. To the left and right of my house are vacated lots whose owners died from old age. Behind us is a hill that grows several crops including alfalfa and soy beans. If you walk in the field behind my house, there is a hidden path from when I was young. My sister, brother and I used to run with our dog through the field to a creek where we played for hours catching crayfish and swimming. My dad mowed paths through the tall grass(which is half of my yard or about 2 acres) for the horseback riders to use.
Down the street is a farm. It is owned by a very well respected farming family, the Richardsons, who are extremely kind, warm, welcoming people. Though they never rotate their crops and therefore deplete their soil of any nutrients, no one has the heart to tell them(because they're so nice). A little further down the road is a lake--Otsego Lake--which has been made famous by the James Fenimore Cooper novel series(including Last of the Mohicans and The Deerslayer). I don't know how many people have visited this area, but it is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, at the other end of the lake is Cooperstown, which is often referred to as "America's Most Perfect Town"(which, by the way, is totally inaccurate). A trip around "the block" for me is about 3 1/2 miles, and it's certainly not block-shaped. Most importantly, two houses down the road from me is my grandmother...my hero.
My town is full of rich and vibrant history, including my own family history. I live on the land that was once a part of one of the largest dairy farm in Springfield--Glimmerloch Farms. It belonged to my grandfather who was a graduate of Cornell University. They(Cornell) often asked him to teach classes at their university, however, he always declined. He instead would allow college students to work with him throughout the summer on his farm and in return would give them shelter, food, and good company.
I know you're probably wondering why I'm writing all of this. It's extremely personal to me, and is very hard for me to so openly and publicly discuss. However, this is the only way that anyone could possibly understand anything that I say or think.
Many of us come from very different backgrounds. We were immersed in entirely different cultures from the time we were born. I was taught to respect the earth. I was taught that all creatures are equal...in fact, I even place other creatures above humans. I see my town, my home, my family's history changing a little bit every year as winter rolls around. Every year there is less snow, the flowers aren't as bright in the spring, the peepers aren't as loud in the summer, and the stars aren't as outstanding in the fall.
There are changes occuring on this planet that are simply unnatural. I feel it in my bones....I mean, doesn't everybody? Denying these changes will only make life harder later on. I don't see this as a difficult transition, maybe because I've lived so differently than most people my whole life. But I'd like to offer some words of encouragement, even comfort: life as I've lived it is wonderful. I have had so many incredible experiences--things that people go to movie theaters to watch. This is possible for all of us. This is inevitable for all of us...it's something we should be celebrating. After all, who REALLY wants to watch reality TV, anyway??