We live in a small town. And by small, I mean, really small. Not the kind without a stoplight and only dirt roads. But the kind where everyone is related and it takes you two years to find a group of friends because everyone has been BFFs since they were together in the nursery … that’s the kind of town we’re in. People are super kind and will do anything in the world to help you. You can’t go to the Walmart without seeing at least three or four people you know. The ball fields are where all the people gather and everyone goes to church somewhere.
I grew up in towns like this. I went to college in a town like this. Granted the towns I grew up in were in the middle of wheat fields in Oklahoma not in the middle of cotton fields in Alabama but somehow small towns seem the same, matter what part of the country they’re found. I have a favorite song right now by Point of Grace. It’s not really a new song but I love it. It’s called Hometown {affiliate link} and the first verse and chorus say:
Oh you can see it when you close your eyes A Norman Rockwell painting come to life With all the colors of a stained-glass window All the characters and old dogs and kin folk And it smells like bar-b-que and old garden roses Yells like cheerleaders and football coaches And it walks like a mayor and it dances like a prom And it sleeps like a porch and it cooks like your mama Hometown, hometown May be the sweetest word with the sweetest sound. Hometown.
My love of small towns goes deep. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. Somehow that sense of connectedness and belonging we all desire seems personified by Small Town, USA. Starting tomorrow and then on the first Wednesday of every month, I’m hosting a new linky … Small Town, USA. It doesn’t matter if you live in a small town or not, share a photo of that small town you drove through on vacation or the sign that welcomes you to a Small Town, population 253. If you don’t blog, don’t worry! Link to a photo on your Flickr or Instagram feed. Let’s celebrate small towns! I’ll leave the linky up all month so you have plenty of time to find a photo.
I’ll give a prompt but it’s only a suggestion. You share whatever you want! Here the prompts for the next few months:
- June 5: Small Town Traditions
- July 3: Small Town Patriotism
- August 7: Small Town Festivals
- September 4: Small Town Sports
- October 2: Small Town Homes
- November 6: Small Town Foliage
- December 4: Small Town Holidays
Okay, so head back here tomorrow ready to link up your favorite #SmallTownUSA photo. If you tweet or instagram, please use the hashtag #SmallTownUSA so we can find each other! Here’s a graphic to help us find each other. {code for button is in sidebar}
Shelli Bourque says
Hooray for small towns, and what a great idea! My husband was born and raised in a small town and we moved here together almost fifteen years ago. I love small town living! Population – 2,600 🙂
Teri Lynne Underwood says
Hi Shelli!! 2600 … wow! That is even smaller than the town we live in. Thought it’s about the size of the town in Oklahoma where I graduated high school. Please say you’ll be contributing photos every now and then! 🙂
Shelli Bourque says
Via Instagram/Twitter for sure! Glad to support this fun photo linky!
Sheryl Plott says
Love the Hometown theme and can’t wait to see everyone’s photos! I myself am a social media klutz but will enjoy the view from the sidelines. (I’m the nosey neighbor peeking through the blinds…lol). Keep ’em comin’!
Teri Lynne Underwood says
You never know, Sheryl! You might just find yourself with a photo to add one of these days!! 🙂
Mollianne says
For years, my small{ish} town’s population was 10, 045! Since I left, I”ve mostly lived in larger towns, although I lived in a tiny village in Germany with a population of 450. THAT was small. I’m a small town girl at heart and love going home.
Teri Lynne Underwood says
450 is really small … smaller even than anyplace I’ve lived. 🙂
christie elkins says
LOVE love this linkup! I love that you knew I would. I’ve missed the first linkup, but I will absolutely join in July 3rd!
Teri Lynne Underwood says
YAY!! I’m so happy you’ll be playing along!! 🙂
Elizabeth @seasonswithsoul says
Great idea, Teri! I grew up on 225 acres, 2 1/2 miles of gravel road in from the main road. My high-school graduating class topped out around 55. Now, that’s a small town! However, it was a bit insular for me, since we weren’t related to anyone near us (and, hence, always on the outside of things). But, I do crave small towns! I would up and move to Hammondsport, NY (Finger Lakes) anytime! That’s my fav small town. I’ll try to find a vacay photo to link up 🙂