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Rural/Farm Life

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OnionPatch

(6,241 posts)
Fri Oct 25, 2024, 07:41 AM Oct 25

Getting depressed. I have my dream but.... [View all]

I grew up on a farm but ended up living in cities for my work in IT. I never wanted to live in a city. I'm a country girl at heart. I've lived as rural as my job commute allowed, and have had chickens and gardens, etc. but now that I'm finally retired I bought a beautiful home way out in the country. I have eight acres nestled in the mountains. It's been my dream come true.

...Until election season arrived and I realized I am surrounded by people with whom I have nothing in common except our proximity. Every one of my neighbors has a Trump sign. I mean every single one of them for miles. A very sweet couple live across the road and have been friendly and helpful but like all the others around here, they are evangelical Christians. It's so hard to reconcile their sweet personalities and their religion to the man they support for president. I will always be polite and friendly to my neighbors, but I see no chance of ever finding close friends among them. And to be honest, I worry they would turn against me if they knew just how very liberal I really am.

I've seen the political maps of blue and red. Supposedly Biden got 35% of the vote in our precinct, so at least 35% of the local voters are sane. But how in the world do I meet them? I'm guessing they lay low like I do in these parts. (I'd be terrified to put a Harris/Walz sign out.) I do go to the local towns for outings and recreation, and they are much more liberal there, but I sure would like to know my left-leaning rural neighbors.

Sorry for rambling but my question is...How do you all meet other rural liberals? Also, how do you manage being surrounded so completely with hardcore conservatives? I'm actually considering moving to Vermont or somewhere there are more rural Democrats.

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I would look for the cultural activities that draw from the left ramen Oct 25 #1
These are good ideas. Thanks. OnionPatch Oct 25 #4
Does your county have a Democratic group? radical noodle Oct 25 #2
There is a college town nearby OnionPatch Oct 25 #7
The Unitarian Church is a great option radical noodle Oct 25 #12
The county Democratic Party probably has a website online - Google the county Democratic Party rurallib Oct 25 #15
Former UU minister turned librarian, here. intheflow Oct 25 #20
The book High Conflict: How we get stuck and how we get out by Amanda Ripley EverHopeful Oct 25 #3
I'm going to look into that book, thanks! OnionPatch Oct 25 #13
Faux on cable and H8 Radio ArkansasDemocrat1 Oct 25 #23
I remember when hate radio began. OnionPatch Oct 25 #37
don't stress over meeting rural liberals jcgoldie Oct 25 #5
I wish I was that brave. OnionPatch Oct 25 #9
California Old Okie Oct 25 #21
It's bizarre. There are all kinds of people in California. OnionPatch Oct 25 #24
I have the perfect sign for you! It will blend in with all the others & they may not even notice what it says! CrispyQ Oct 25 #34
Local Farmer's market jcgoldie Oct 25 #6
The farmer's market! Yes. OnionPatch Oct 25 #10
My wife and I are in a similar situation. 70sEraVet Oct 25 #8
I wish you lived near me! I love local history and genealogy. OnionPatch Oct 25 #11
we are libs in a red rural area RainCaster Oct 25 #14
A year from now... rubbersole Oct 25 #16
It's pretty much the same here for me - TBF Oct 25 #17
Being naturally antisocial helps Kali Oct 25 #18
Most counties have a Dem headquarters. appleannie1 Oct 25 #19
I really should do that, thanks. OnionPatch Oct 25 #26
I am doing volunteer work for the election here. appleannie1 Oct 25 #41
Look for your county Democrats. murielm99 Oct 25 #22
I will, thanks. OnionPatch Oct 25 #27
Right now I have no energy for anything. murielm99 Oct 25 #29
Welcome to my world ArkansasDemocrat1 Oct 25 #25
Arkansas is beautiful OnionPatch Oct 25 #28
There are beautiful places here ArkansasDemocrat1 Oct 25 #30
My husband and I just visited Sana Fe. 1WorldHope Oct 25 #31
Good comment, 1WorldHope! brakester Oct 25 #36
True that not all liberals are likeable, lol. OnionPatch Oct 25 #38
Our public library usually has progressive folks kerouac2 Oct 25 #32
Move near a college town Keepthesoulalive Oct 25 #33
I live near two major universities. OnionPatch Oct 25 #39
If you live over the Blue Ridge Keepthesoulalive Oct 25 #40
Thanks. I am in Augusta County. OnionPatch Oct 26 #42
I'm in southern Albemarle Keepthesoulalive Oct 26 #43
It truly is beautiful OnionPatch Oct 27 #44
Drive the Blue Ridge parkway. Keepthesoulalive Oct 27 #45
We are in the same situation rockbluff botanist Oct 25 #35
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