Living in a Microcosm

    It’s been a month in the Piedmont region of Virginia as I prolong my stay north this year to enjoy three seasons, though winter’s early dusk and temps have appeared this week.
​    I'm quite pleased to have found a comfortable, affordable room with a single woman of my generation and her toddler german shepherd. It’s been a delightful spot to write, read, get caught up in a Netflix series, cook real meals, meet life’s demands, and rest in between Halloween, the time change, a dazzling full moon, and mercury retrograde.
    The community, Lake of the Woods, was built around a man-made 550-acre lake fed by the Flat Run stream and numerous springs. Created in 1967 by Virginia Wildlife Clubs, it was then developed by Boise Cascade on 2,600 acres. You can still find some of the original weekend and summer getaway houses offering a feeling of days past, but the majority of now more than 4,000 single family homes are large homesteads.
    Now boasting two lakes, the community also has a clubhouse, a golf course, an equestrian center, multiple beaches and marinas, clubs and classes, a fitness center, and a multi-denominational church. So if your passion is boating, golfing, horseback riding, or simply sitting by the water with a good book, you’re all set.
    On the other hand, if you want to cycle the more than 41 miles of paved roads, you best be courageous or just plain crazy. I’m not sure which category I fall into but I refused to succumb to the fear and danger of riding. Yet, I did cut my weekly miles in half to remain in survival mode while enjoying the rolling hills as the challenge before me. Long walks filled in the gaps in a setting that seems so inviting. The nearest town is Locust Grove but there isn’t a town center or neighborhoods to explore by foot or two wheels there.

​So, what about that headline? Throughout the month, I was feeling up and down. Some days I was counting how many I had left here. Others, I was so grateful for the gorgeous sunset on the lake and the sound of crisp leaves with every step. The setting has much to offer yet the occupants appear to be polar opposites. There are many anecdotes but this one represents all I have to say on the subject of the culture:
​     My first week walking on the only paved path I noticed signs stating, “No e-bikes or motorized vehicles” which was just fine by me. Days later, I was surprised by teens on motorbikes just behind me and politely reminded them of the usage. The response from the 14-15 year old leader of the group was “Shut the *uck up, old lady, just shut the *uck up.”. I’m not sure what stunned me more, the caustic response or being called an old lady.
     On what became my walking route, I’d pass the same 11-12 year old boy heading home quite frequently. We’d always be walking in opposite directions just a bit off the roadway. Once this occurred a few times, he seemed pleasantly surprised to see me out and as the weeks went by he went from a nod to a smile to a “hello”. Now I’m a little sad about deserting this child who enjoyed a little human interaction at the end of his school day.
     This may not seem like much, but the past month has been days of wondering “Who’s going to drive by cautiously? vs. Who’s going to drive right toward me?”. “Who’s going to give me a blank stare vs. Who’s going to smile and say ‘hello’?” I’m still wondering why anyone would live in a community setting when they seldom want to interface with neighbors. Figuring out human behavior is very difficult these days. 
     At week’s end I hop the Auto Train; happy to escape winter's fury but only possibly prepared for the culture shock.