How do you like it here?

I am often asked that question. What am I supposed to say? "I hate it here!" or "I love it here!" or perhaps "This room? Well, I think the ambiance could be improved."

I have yet to live in the perfect place. I assume there is no perfect place. I can find faults in every place on the planet, perhaps in the universe. I don't think it is because I am too picky - although I am very picky. I think it is because Paradise is not of this plane.

So how do I like it here? When it is 98% humidity and the temperature is 105 degrees I think it is hot and muggy. When it is the dead of winter and the temperature is hovering in the 50s and the sun is shining I think it is beautiful.

When I think of my family I am grateful that my children and their children are two hours distant. When I think of my sisters I am saddened that we can only see each other after putting great effort into the task. They are a 12 hours drive away.

The southern charm is alive and well. I like that. The pace is different and it is difficult to get natives to show up for an appointment. Not so good.

I have met some wonderful people here. My neighbors are lovely. My childhood and young adult friends are far away. I hear from them at Christmas time when we all send out cards with notes of varying lengths.

Is this better than any other place I have lived? Not really. I like the floorplan of this house but I really miss my basement. I keep throwing out stuff, but my stuff still seems to expand and overrun.

Is this worse than any other place I have lived? Not really. The climate is so vastly improved. I think that snow is lovely in pictures but if I never have to shovel another flake as long as I live, that will be okay.

There is no perfect place. I would, if I were given the choice, surround myself with my entire family. I am not sure how they would feel about that since I don't think that any of them would like to live exactly where I want them to be placed. Up and down this street would be okay. For me. Not for them. I write and talk to my family frequently. I like that. With modern technology on my side, I can communicate frequently without causing a problem. I like that even better.

My reasons for moving here stand. I am happy with that choice. I would make the same decision again. But ...

How DO I like it here?