One Year at Hawks Road

We moved in a year ago yesterday. Here's what we've learned about homeownership and about Northwest Tennessee so far:

• House- and yardwork never really ceases; you just learn to ignore some things. Or you hire folks (but not on an assistant professor's salary, you don't!)
• In honor of Mike and Nancy Skrivan: you could always use about 10% more than you're making. And the house would eat it all even then.
  
• Little boys love big back yards--enough space for them to run around, pick up sticks and pine cones, that sort of thing.
• Kin is the primary social grouping around here; one associates with one's family (extended, of course) first and foremost, and then with those folks who've been going to school and church with you for your whole life.
• It is possible to have monster crayfish living in your front yard.
• Good neighbors are nice to have, as long as you don't mind them dropping by unannounced and/or knowing most of what you're up to.
• There's no anonymity in a town this size.
• As if one needed a reminder to mind one's manners: I always see my students working at the Sonic, the Dairy Queen, the library, Michael's Steak House, the grocery store, etc.
• My wife is noted around town for being the one "running with that stroller."

Yes, we're glad to have had this year to get settled in, to learn the way the seasons go, to get our house and yard in order. Thankful every day for our blessings.