Why do we settle down where we do?
Where do we want to live? There are a lot of choices we can make all around this country.
Many of us move because of our job, health, military, to be close to our kids and grandkids, and sometimes just to get a fresh start.
I think about all the people who migrated here from other countries throughout our history. They left behind family, friends and so much they were familiar with in their country. I think about all the people who migrated across this country and the hardships they endured as they traveled from one ocean to the other.
And I settled in Southern Maryland. Why did I do that? We are surrounded on three sides by water. I liked being near the water with all the fish, crabs and oysters (although the bounty is not as good as it used to be). I first came in as a young boy. I had never seen a crab before (lived in Washington, D.C.). I thought it was wonderful to get out on the river and get my own fish for dinner.
Weather seems to be a big factor when deciding where to live. Florida is too hot. You leave your air-conditioned house, get into your air-conditioned car and drive to the air-conditioned store.
Yes, it can be nice in the wintertime. I like to see the seasons change, but not too much like up north; too much cold and too much snow. The desert Southwest is just too hot and dry. The Northwest seems to be a little too wet and cloudy. The middle of the country is subject to too many tornadoes; scares me. Sections of the Gulf Coast tend to flood like Louisiana, where parts are below sea level. Some areas along the Gulf and East coasts are in danger of hurricanes. We have some of all these things here. Sometimes we are hot and dry, we do get some cold and snow and once in a while we feel the effects of a hurricane, but not like other parts of the country.
There are lot of nice people here, too. Did I know about and consider all these things before I moved here permanently in 1972? No. But even a blind squirrel gets an acorn now and then. Bill Bartlett, Valley Lee