Bulls, Boys, and Blessings — Locals

Is this what momentum feels like?

Julia Jacobsen Harrington Locals revival rural small changes small town

Is this what momentum feels like?

This little farming community that I’m from is experiencing momentum in a wave that we haven’t had in quite some time.  The 80’s were rough on rural areas.  As a kid growing up here I had no clue about the business’s that closed their doors or the impact that would have on my community in the decades ahead.  I have memories of getting out of school and heading down to the drugstore to buy candy.  That big heavy door with the large bell on the front that would let the shop owner know he had a customer.

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When Your Waitress Hands You a Road Flare.

Julia Jacobsen Kindness Locals Oregon Route Ukiah Waitress

When Your Waitress Hands You a Road Flare.

The unkind way we talk to ourselves is finding its voice inside my head. “You stupid woman” is a phrase I’m thinking about telling myself. I should know better! I live in the country and while not at the elevation I’m currently at I’m not an idiot but my inner voice is ABOUT to tell me I am. What happens instead is I’m offered a road flare while another woman steps in and is calling to find lodging just in case I end up needing to stay the night. My server in between her customers keeps checking the weather report and has more bad news. My best route out of here is reporting 100% chance of snow, 12-18 more inches! I want to give myself a good lecture and I would have but there was no time for that in between several strangers looking out for me.

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