Well, we're here.

I'm trying to be positive. I'm really trying. And believe me, that's not my usual MO - my ability to see the glass half empty is long and well documented. But since even I can figure out that refusing to give it a chance out here will end badly, I'm forcing myself to look on the brightside.

So, the brightside:

It really is beautiful here. There's a reason people buy second homes and take their vacations here - the scenery is pretty spectactular. Among the dozens of reasons I'm bummed that my camera broke is because I'd like to post some pictures to illustrate my point, but I'm sure your imaginations will suffice.

There's a pretty endless number of places for the boys to explore - between the abundance of state parks, rail trials, mountains, valleys, and all the cultural stuff the Berkshires has to offer (which is, suprisingly to me, a lot) it's not like there's nothing to do. Plus, we have a 5 acre backyard with a stream running through it, which so far has pretty much fit the bill as far as they're concerned.

You can get more house for your dollar out here. When we're ready to buy our next place (which may be sooner, rather than later, since our rental isn't really working out as well as we'd hoped) we'll be able to get a nicer house for less money.

For obnoxious food police like us - hey, it's true - this place is a heaven. We live down the road from the adorably named 'pigasso farms' which sells natural and pastured beef, chicken, pork and lamb and free range eggs. In addition to Piggaso, which is just the closest, there are I think three others on the 27 miles of rt 22 between here and the pike. There is a farmer's market with local and organic produce on pretty much every corner, and I'm loving the roadside stands with produce where you just put your money in a box. In the winter, of course, the fresh produce options will be less, but there are still some farms that make a committment to year round produce. there are several dairies we can buy direct from. It makes me feel less depressed that the nearest grocery store is 35 minutes from here, because the remaining things I need to get at a grocery store can be condensed into trips I can stretch out to two weeks or so.

There's no traffic. At least not around us. This is nice, especially coming from Boston. I can get 37 miles in about the time it used to take Andy to go 8, from Cambridge to home. On the negative side, of course, is the monstrous amount of gas we're going through. From someone who put less than 6000 miles on her car last year, this is a total culture shock. Drive 22 minutes to get to the playground? are you kidding me?? but people around here think that's nothing.

In terms of the bad things...well - you know, I think I'll just leave off here and try and focus on the good. Because of course I could go on and on (and on and on!) about what I don't like, but I think the wise advice to "bloom where you're planted" is appropriate here. Focus on the positive and eventually you'll actually feel positively, right? At least that's the plan!