Home is Where You Hang Your Hat

The first few years living in Atlanta I thought it was going to one of those stops on our way home. I did not feel as though I fit in here in this Red State in the Bible Belt. I kept meeting people who attempted to explain to me why Bush was such a great leader or that evolution never happened or that Governor Barnes was Hitler for making an executive decision regarding the design of the state flag. When I finally realized that I should not attempt to argue with any of these people I really felt it was time to move somewhere else. Somewhere Blue. You know, somewhere that the people who disagree with me at least enjoy a hearty debate involving rationally made points, the sun always shines, birds help me get dressed in the morning...that sort of thing.


We began to make serious plans to relocate to Philadelphia. My company has an office up there. It's a much shorter drive to family in Virginia. It's in that wonderful northeast corridor, where everything is so very reachable. We have no family in Philadelphia, though. That was one downside. I wavered a bit on the plan the day we arrived home from the hospital with newborn Kate. Joy had vacuumed the entire house and made my mom's lemon chicken recipe (one of my childhood favorites) and it was in the crockpot, smelling up the place. That, certainly, was something we wouldn't have in Philly. It wasn't until plans were really in limbo for our move and Sarah was born that Jeremiah announced he was putting his roots down. (In case you wondered, this decision is what led to our ginormous house project. We'll be living here for a very long time to come.)


It was time to grow up and acknowledge that your city can be a part of you only when you become a part of your city. Did I really think I wouldn't run into people I find trying anywhere else I went? I decided to take less notice of the Sean Hannity acolytes and more of the things around me that I already loved. Besides, my county of Dekalb is Bluer than most. A park near downtown Decatur hosts Neo-Pagan celebrations. I'm walking distance from a beautiful community garden. They changed the alcohol % law and we're getting all manner of fantastic beer down here now (Whole Foods in Midtown is going to be carrying Bell's next year!). The list of wonderful things is so long - the PATH, dog parks, people parks, farmer markets, art festivals, food, tons of stuff for kids...

Since keeping the Labor Day in May blog, I've been told by Heather and 3 of my coworkers I should write travelogues. I have decided that while I will not quit my job (could this have been what my co-workers were attempting to say - 'Something, Lisa. Anything. How about writing travelogues'?) and attempt to begin an all new career, I will write about my chosen home town here, in an attempt to help you see what's so great about it. You know. Like a regular feature. I think I will call this feature - um - I don't know. What should I call this feature?