We live dangerously close to 2 maple ice cream shacks.
Still settling in, still wondering when I’ll feel less scattered – probably when I’m not catching 2 seconds of internet here and there and can sit down and do all the grownup things I need the internet to do. Rural living, it apparently takes 2 weeks+ to get DSL set up. Who knew!
It’s been impossible to read blogs on my phone but I’m catching snippets now and again. I’ve been loving this blog, Things To Tend To – Emily is a Vermonter who’s now in Portland, which adds to my “rad ladies in Portland I totally want to be real life friends with” list.
Speaking of, I need to make some friends here. I’m TERRIBLE at making friends in a new place – I think the last friend I made was Kate – I invited her to tea after randomly talking to her in a Goodwill, and now she’s one of my best friends! But that is a rare, rare occasion, so while I wait to have proper internet, how about telling me some rural friend making tips?
I am not the best rural friend tipper, but my closest friend in Halifax (who was a rural lady) is a new friend pro. Her skills involved a big “Heyyy!” and coffee date invite to anyone interesting who she saw twice, a thrust hand at people who she was intrigued by, involvement in tiny community events requiring volunteers (especially the weekly market) and a huge openness to new experiences and events.
I love this – I’m totally picturing Karie from shelterprotectsyou.com – she’s just like that! I’m so shy!
These tricks have definitely worked for me, though I am also a shy one. Anyone in the area would be lucky to befriend such an open, creative and interesting lady!
” a thrust hand at people who she was intrigued by”
This is the kind of person I wish I could be. Damn you shyness.
Making friends is hard. I’m going through that now as well! Are you in Burlington at all? Go to ArtHop – lots of neat artists and other creative people there who are really friendly. And stop by the Shelburne Art Center and meet Sage!
I’ve always been a fan of befriending people in odd places like garage sales, libraries, clothing shops (the shop gals), elks lodges (senior citizens) and in the park (hippies and Goth kids). I enjoy breaking out of my shell when really fascinating people are near, and I can’t resist talking to them. I’ve been known to say to complete strangers “what is your story?” It’s rough making friends though. I have more acquaintences than real friends. Anyway, maybe it’ll be easier to find neat people in Burlington? I know a gal who drums in a pop band and works at a cute shop there. Introductions?
Join a knitting group or other craft/social that meets regularly.
you’re way too sweet, i was wondering where all of these hits on my little blog were coming from, lady! i miss maple cremeees SO MUCH! and yes, portland is the best except it is really hard to find soft serve here. the friend thing? don’t worry. they’ll turn up. check out farmers markets and talk to the bakers and the farmers. good peeps. xo
Ugh, I just realized I messed up the link! Damn the furtive posting on the sly! Fixed now.
The soft serve has to stop – my jeans are soooo tight since the drive of bad food + ice cream!@
Just move heeeeeere. (and please bring the maple ice cream)
We moved to Vermont a year ago and I was shocked to discover that not only would it take two weeks to get a phone and internet, there was no dsl on our road. Only dial up. It was very disappointing. Check out Front Porch Forum – if you haven’t already – it’s a fun way to find out about what’s going on in your town.
Hmmm, it says I am out of the service area for the Front Porch Forum!
Also, I just looked at your flickr link and your little family looks like you grew out of the Vermont hills! (That’s a good thing!) Where did you move from?
My parents just got DSL this year on their hill – but you know, I was pretty glad to grow up without TV available.
We moved from Massachusetts but we lived here in the 90’s. I had to get used to rural living again – I love not having television and I think my children are happier without it.
Hi, Tamera-
Thanks so much for sending the photo. It’s truly lovely! I can’t wait to find the perfect frame for it. Thanks again, ‘tine
Oh, thank you! It took longer than I thought because of all the chaos here! Sorry about that!
No apologizes necessary! Again, it’s beautiful. Thanks!
I just moved cross-country, too, and am having the same problem. It’s hard to make friends in a new place, especially one soooo different from where you came from. A piece of advice a friend told me (and I think it is totally true!) is that you just have to keep going out, doing whatever you can, and when you meet people and they invite you to do things, you have to go! Because the only way you get friends is by spending time with the people you meet in the hope that they change from acquaintances to friends!
At least you can get DSL. We are still a few years away from real broadband where I am in Vermont.
It’s the slowest DSL in THE WORLD
Hey,
I just thought I would pop over and say hi. I am back in Montpelier Vt, after many years of roaming.. mostly SF, NYC and New Mexico…
It is hard to make friends in a small rural place. Feel free to give me a shout some time, we could have tea or whatev. I just pulled my blog together, it’s over here http://o-lightning.com/
all the best,
Omie
That would be gooood! i havent met anyone really, yet. I work all day!