My Not So Small Town

Arkansas is the place I have called home for about 80% of my life.  So I guess you can say that I am a southerner.  That is something that I always argued up into the last few years.  I am not sure why I didn't want to be a southerner.  Anyways...The town I live in has a population of about 90,000 give or take a few people.  But don't that large population fool you.  This town is as small as that country town that has a population of 12,000. The city leaders have tried to keep the "small town" feel to it but they are quickly realizing that new business are not going to come to Mayberry.  So we are finally growing. 

You would think a town with this size of population, one could fade into obscurity.  Nope!  Not in this town.  I can't go anywhere or do anything without someone knowing me and talking about me.  I swear we have our own Harriet Olsen (Little House on the Prairie reference there) sticking her nose in everyone's business and telling anyone that wants to hear.  

This town is very small-minded.  They just assume everyone believes the same way they do.  If you don't, the torches and pitchforks come out.  They have run business out of this town because they were not the kind of businesses they wanted in their town.  It cost our town a 1/2 million dollars because a strip joint wanted to open up and they denied them a business license.  Not only did we have to pay the 1/2 million dollars but the business was still allowed to open.  Oh did I tell you our "great" city leaders gave them the business license with the stipulation they couldn't serve alcohol.  So the now strip joint that was a 21 and over strip joint became an 18 and over strip joint because they couldn't serve alcohol.  Smart thinking, huh?  

But as small-minded this town is, I still love it here.  I love my kids going to the same grade school as I did. They have even had my 6th grade teacher as a substitute.  I love that many of the businesses have been owned by many generations of the same family.  I love the history of our town.  We have some pretty famous people that have either lived here or have visited.  I also love how close I am to the Ouachitas and the Ozarks.  

I will share more about my town with you in other posts.

Have a blessed day!

Ana