Town mouse or Country mouse?

Which one are you?

Photo by Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash

Do you remember the old Aesop fable The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse?

Now you must know that a town mouse once upon a time went on a visit to his cousin in the country. He was rough and ready, this cousin, but he loved his town friend and made him heartily welcome. Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had to offer, but he offered them freely. The town mouse rather turned up his long nose at this country fare, and said, "I cannot understand, cousin, how you can put up with such poor food as this, but of course you cannot expect anything better in the country; come you with me and I will show you how to live. When you have been in town a week you will wonder how you could ever have stood a country life." No sooner said than done: The two mice set off for the town and arrived at the town mouse's residence late at night.

"You will want some refreshment after our long journey," said the polite town mouse, and took his friend into the grand dining room. There they found the remains of a fine feast, and soon the two mice were eating up jellies and cakes and all that was nice. Suddenly they heard growling and barking.

"What is that?" said the country mouse.

"It is only the dogs of the house," answered the other.

"Only," said the country mouse, "I do not like that music at my dinner!" Just at that moment the door flew open; in came two huge mastiffs; and the two mice had to scamper down and run off.

"Good-bye, cousin," said the country mouse.

"What! Going so soon?" said the other.

"Yes," he replied. "Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear."

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I remember reading several versions of this fable to my boys years ago. The image of the two mice and their strikingly different lifestyles stuck with me.

I am living it now!

For the past month, my life has been traveling between my country home in the mountains and town in Davidson, North Carolina where my hubby and I are house and pet sitting. Before this, we rented an apartment for over eight years in Davidson. I became accustomed to the two hour drive back and forth maintaining the households. A year ago, we finally decided to move back to the mountains full time as my son transferred to another college and my hubby now works from home.

I remained connected to the community and friends and occasionally people offer an opportunity to return. It has become a wonderful way to visit, enjoy the 20 degree warmer weather and earn a bit of extra money. My favorite part is to walk and snuggle with a dog or two. 

It has been a welcome treat, but I have reached my limit.

I now remember why I moved back to the mountains.

As of 2024, my little town has a whopping population of 984. Within this amount, there are several part-time residents and a growing amount of Airbnb’s that are popping up. The closes town that offers more than a Dollar General is at least thirty minutes away.

Living in the mountains is private, quiet and secluded. My house abuts the Cherokee National Forest and the nearest neighbors are out of eye sight. This privacy can feel isolating and lonely as I can go an entire week without seeing or engaging with another human being. Heading to town is quite the treat!

Despite the isolation, the location provides plenty of opportunities for stimulation and inspiration for me. Woods to wander in, gardens to plant and harvest and of course a house to clean, organize and maintain. I have shelves full of books to read, art supplies and journals to play in and my yoga mat.

Currently, my stays at home as short so I have parred down my activities so I can rejuvenate my senses and spend quality time with my son who decided to stay home. Most of my time is spent in the kitchen, woods and chatting away. It is interesting to notice what gains importance when I am away from home. 

In order to stay grounded while away, I pack parts of “home” with me.

My clothes tend to take up the smallest amount of packing space. A minimalist at heart, I keep my wardrobe simpe and comfortable. That minimalism does not transfer to my art supplies, books and food.

I have a large and an extra large LLBean canvas tote bag that I bought over 20 years ago that do the trick. I bought them at the LLBean outlet New Hampshire with the wrong initials on the monogram. These sturdy bags fit all my food, condiments and art supplies.

Choosing and deciding what goes into the art supply bag is the toughest. I went down the rabbit hole of Lisa Sonora’s Youtube for some help, yet it only made me want more supplies! I aspire to pare it down to this bag or minimalist envelope system. Currently, my bag is chock full of too many supplies.

• 3 heavy, large, hard bound art journals

• 3 makeup bags full of tempra paint sticks, washi tape, craft paint

• 2 favorite Blue Q pencil cases full of colored pens and pencils

• 1 flat plastic tote of phermal (old magazine images, words and various papers and tags)

• 3 Stalogy A5 journals

I struggle to leave the house with all my homemade food and condiments, so I pack them up too!

• Golden Milk powder mix

• Herbs (sleepytime and Spring detox blends)

• Spiced Ghee (Golden milk powder infused in ghee)

• Green powder mix

• Homemade hempseed milk

• Homemade chicken stock

• Bitters (Dandelion, Motherwort and Orange)

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb renowned for its potential health benefits and used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Ashwagandha is known as an adaptogen, aiding the body in managing stress and maintaining balance. Some of its medical benefits include reducing stress and anxiety, boosting energy levels, promoting better sleep, regulating hormone levels and supporting sexual health.

I incorporate ashwagandha daily into my diet by adding it to my morning tea and making a warm cup of golden milk prior to bed.

Golden Milk Powder Mix

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons ground turmeric

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1-2 tablespoons ashwagandha powder (adjust to taste)

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ground spices: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and ashwagandha powder.

2. Stir the spices together until they are well combined. Make sure there are no clumps and the spices are evenly distributed.

3. Transfer the ashwagandha spice blend to an airtight container or spice jar for storage. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Golden Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)

• 1 -2 teaspoon ashwagandha spice blend

• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or ghee (optional, for added richness and absorption of spices)

Instructions:

1. Heat Milk:

   • In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat until it's warm but not boiling. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.

2. Add Ashwagandha Spice Blend:

   • Once the milk is warm, add 1 teaspoon of the golden milk spice blend to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.

3. Incorporate Fat:

   • For added richness and absorbsion, you can stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil or ghee until melted and well incorporated.

4. Simmer:

   • Let the golden milk simmer gently for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally.

5. Serve:

   • Pour the golden milk into your favorite mug and enjoy it warm. You can sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon or turmeric on top for garnish.

Packing up my art supplies and food help me feel more at home. I am mindful of what I eat, and traveling can quickly leave my nervous and digestive system out of sorts. From years of practice, I know what supports me and keeps me grounded and centered…I just have to pack more.

Photo by Erica Thomas on Unsplash

Flipping my home and lifetstyle to town allows me to enjoy the benefits that I tend to miss out on while in the country. Town provides ample space to step outside and walk. The sidewalks and warmer weather support my natural rhythm to move throughout the day. There is an endless supply of shopping nearby which I tend to avoid at all costs. I try make a list while in the mountains so I can knock out all my shopping in a couple of trips. This reduces my stress and reduces my need for online shopping when home.

I pop into Goodwill to scan the racks for clothes to resupply my closet. The ReStore might have gardening pots, candle holders and books. Starting in the Spring, the Farmer’s Market is a regular Saturday morning stop and keeps me supplied with local eggs and seasonal veggies for the week.  The coffee shop and library provide my work space and entertainment during my stays. 

It has been interesting to stay in other people’s homes and has afforded me a peek into how other people live. To see how and what they fill their spaces with. My gracious hosts are open about their spaces, yet it is not the same as my own space. 

Which one do I like better? 

There are definitely pros and cons about the country and town lifestyles but for me…

I am a country mouse at heart.

The country, especially the mountains feeds my mind, body and spirit in a deep and nourishing way. I have realized that this is my happy place. The place that I feel grounded, inspired and whole. 

The ability to slow down, and live in rhythm with the seasons is another major draw. It allows my nervous system to decompress and tap into a deeper sense of knowing.

It is nice to dip my toes into town life now and again. When I do, I prefer small towns over the bustling, traffic ensuing cities. I do not miss my days living in Chicago, traveling by public transportation and being surrounded by noise and people 24 hours a day. 

I would like to experiment living in a foreign city in the future. To live in a city that is walkable and offers simple public transportation and a gentle pace of life. I signed up on Trusted Housesitters as a way to travel and trade pet or house sitting for a free place to stay. 

That is my next stop.

For now, I have two more weeks in town and I am going to make the most of them. I will visit friends, walk and soak up the springtime and cuddle with my adopted pets. 

Which one are you? Country mouse or Town mouse?

Talk to you soon,

Blythe