Dreaming of country living

The other day on the way home from work, I stopped to buy a snack and picked up a free real estate guide for the Catskills on a whim as I walked back to my car. I keep returning to look at the listings lovingly again and again. Sweets will turn to me and say, "are you looking at your rural porn again?" shaking his head. I'll reply with "ooh, listen to this one... french country cottage inspired by an artist , this 2500 square foot cottage boasts four unique fireplaces (squeal), 2 and a half baths, large eat in kitchen with fireplace and built ins (swoon), art studio 20 x 29 (almost as big as our house!) ... private deck with hot tub... 2 garages, small pond and pretty gardens...That could become our B&B!" I crow, while I scour the tiny photo for more details.

This little booklet holds the promise of a whole new rural world that fascinates me. Stone houses, red barns, river frontage, plowed roads, old landmark restaurants, faded inns and acres of wide open quiet.

I keep coming back to this one listing for 12.5 acres of land. Boasting valley views, trails, and a small pond, I fall slightly more in love with the idea of this parcel every time I turn to that page.

Coming from the Midwest, Sweets moved east to escape the desolate emptiness of the landscape, the lack of things to do. In my heart, I  yearn for pitch black skies punctuated with a plethora of stars, afternoons spent wandering trails, cooking over a fireplace, being accessible to nature at any moments notice with no obligations pulling me away. Perhaps this is a dream for retirement. Whether the image in my mind shifts from a stone house, a small cabin, a modern structure with a wall of windows to let the spectacle of nature in or just a bench in the middle of some acreage, I see myself there... someday.

Comments

[magpiejst]

urban rat that i am, 'central jersey' sounds like the country to me. i thoroughly understand the pull of country life though i don't for a minute believe i could live it.

[m. heart]

Having a bit of both would be the ideal, believe me.