(Yeah, it sounds a little red-neck, but that's what I love about the Maritimes)
Sometimes I really, really feel like a CFA. Like today. I was thinking about how it's almost a year since we moved here (I know, hard to believe!), and how strange everything looked to me when we first arrived - like gas stations, stores, etc. Soon after we got here, I remember seeing a car by the side of the road selling pies out of their trunk. Since then, here is the odd assortment of things I have seen people selling from their vehicles:
lobster (not a surprise there, and a great price too!)
smoked eel
various other seafood
apple pies
butter tarts
laundry soap
lawnmowers
diapers and the like
various electrical gadgets
fresh produce
Interesting, isn't it? (Can you imagine seeing someone on the side of the road in Winnipeg selling those things? Sometimes I wonder if I'm in Madagascar :-) ) But here it's perfectly normal. In fact, I'm thinking of doing it myself! You never know what people might stop for.
Now, there's the whole other issue of being a CFA. I have always been one, I guess. Every place I've lived has not been my "root" home. In some ways I'm glad for that. I feel like the people I connect the best are also CFA. That means I get to make friends with people from India, Ghana, Germany and Ireland and Newfoundland (which is pretty much it's own country).
And I'm glad for it because it reminds me that I will always be a CFA, no matter where I live. I hope I never get so comfortable anywhere that I feel too at home, and am not willing to leave and go somewhere else if need be.
This world is not my home.
7 comments:
You got that right! It does make me wonder how it would be to know I'm NOT a CFA. Even after living in one place for 22 years I feel like one most days.
Good thoughts. Very good thoughts. I wish I had something more profound to add. Come see us! = )
I like it. It's kinda hard sometimes, but I think it's maybe a healthy way to live? I don't want to feel too attached or too at home here. What will you sell? Coffee?
i like it too. i have often found myself homesick for wherever i'm not, and even while i'm crying, i feel happy that i am not at home in this world.
just don't sell your kids out of your trunk accidentally. or on purpose, for that matter. :D
For some reason, this struck an emotional chord in me and I found myself a little choked up as I read it. I too am a CFA. I have never lived as an adult in my home area. Sometimes I feel misunderstood by the people in the town where we currently live. . .my questions probably seem odd to them, or they can't believe I don't know where a certain road (or business, or school, etc.) is. It seems like such a small thing, but they are all reminders that I am not "native" to this area and it sets me apart. I have very often reminded myself that I am just passing through this world on my way to my real home.
Thanks for your thoughts on this. It always feels good to know someone else feels the same way!
I'm curious to know what you are thinking of selling from your trunk.
oh i don't know...maybe i'll sell bread, or cinnamon buns, or christmas cookies or some of the 60kg of green coffee beans i have...or maybe my kids today. if i knit faster i could sell hats. or maybe all the great stuff i buy at value village. the possibilities are endless!!!
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