New Voices

Hello Rural Fans! It goes without saying that I love all the #ReasonsRuralRocks participants that share reasons frequently. However, it's always exciting to hear new voices join the conversation. Today I'd like to share 5 of my favourite #ReasonsRuralRocks from last week (Oct. 23-29) from regulars and rookies alike:

• Almost forgot how nice it is to hear cows, owls, and chirping birds instead of traffic, sirens, and pigeons! @JenaeHansen
• Rural, northern, and remote communities support industries that produce 50% of Canada's exports. @FCM_online
• you can walk into a job interview and discuss your roots as a way to distinguish your values from other candidates @onepercentyello
• don't need social network like nextdoor.com to know your neighbor @AnjahHoward
• Nothing to worry about. @rainbow832

If you're on Twitter, check out these rural loving tweeps. Please help keep the #ReasonsRuralRocks conversation alive by adding your voice! 

Short commute and a view that's a beaut!

While there weren't enough #ReasonsRuralRocks shared between Oct 16-22 to make a Top Ten list, there were several worth sharing. 

• You can have a massive BonFire in your backyard.  @CircleBalpacas 
• According to my iPod, my commute to work was 2 minutes and 17 seconds. @Laurie_Callsen
• Being out on the prairies and feeling unbothered--no disturbance except a cool breeze of fresh air.  @KSherbi 
• You can actually SEE the starry sky. @celticperegrini 
• You'll probably know everyone you pass on main street, but even if you don't, you'll still say hi. @janisirwin 

Thanks everyone! Please keep sending your #ReasonsRuralRocks to @sherbani on Twitter or post them here.  

#ReasonsRuralRocks Oct. 9-15

The Top Ten #ReasonsRuralRocks for Oct. 9-15 includes mentions of great neighbours, fall colours, and clean air. These are all reasons I love rural. I hope as you read the list you see reasons that resonate with your own feelings about rural.

10. Linear assessment. @CMNesbitt

9. Howlin' coyotes on a moonlit night. Rarely happens in the neighborhoods of the cities, as I understand it. @NERenaissance

8. The best neighbours you could ever ask for. @KSherbi

7. As I meet more city folk, I am more proud of my country upbringing. I am a rural ambassador! @onepercentyello

6. Community members support above and BEYOND for any cause... @dizzyraerae

5.  My neighbourhood has a 10 km radius.  @ConsultInsight

4. Beautiful fall colours in the country and delicious harvest fare! @theSSEarth

3. If u get stuck in the ditch somewhere no matter what time it is, someone will always come help u out. @pugsley208

2. Breathing crisp, clean, country air on a fall day. I didn't realize how great this was until I moved to downtown. @janisirwin

1. Directions involve phrases like "go to the end of the pavement."  @Alpacamundo

I truly believe that the list of #ReasonsRuralRocks will never be fully complete. There will always be more reasons to add. If you're favourite thing about rural hasn't been mentioned please send a comment or a tweet (@sherbani and make sure to use the hashtag #ReasonsRuralRocks).

And if you like what these folks have to say, and you're on the Twitter, why not follow them?

I Love Rural

Sadly, I was unable to enter Return to Rural's I <3 Rural Contest due to a missing USB cord. Today I was finally able to upload what would've been our contest entry. Even though there is no chance of winning prizes, it seemed a shame not to share these pictures. I hope you enjoy! 

A beautiful sunset that inspired the photo shoot. 

Me, my dad, and my sister- rocking the coverall look.

I <3 Rural

Love for rural! 

Magical, isn't it?

Elevators, Community, and Roots

I'm back after a refreshing long weekend filled with food, friends, family, and good times. My family had the unique opportunity to share our rural way of life with a friend who is originally from the greater Toronto area. Nothing helps you see your world with opened eyes more than having the chance to share it with someone who is seeing it all for the first time. Over the course of the weekend, Lauren had her first ride in a pickup truck, climbed her first straw bale, and got to see cows up close for the first time. She lit up with each new experience. It was great to see her get excited about all these simple things that my family and I just take for granted. I am thankful I was reminded that even something as basic as a clear night's sky can bring joy to our lives. 

And with that, I am pleased to present the #ReasonsRuralRocks honourable mentions for the week of Oct. 2-8:

• I <3 rural poster on my wall in my new home in Montreal. You can take the girl out of the country, but those roots run deep. @onepercentyello
• The entire community attends sporting events. Parents don’t just drop off their kids! @JenaeHansen 
• Rural communities supporting locally owned businesses and sharing in the profits. @wrcoop
• Grain elevators and UFA logoed hats. @jbatiuk
• A gorgeous autumn day 2day. Warm sun, a light breeze and a prairiescape of vibrant and earth tone hues. @clht1
• Your local elevator will give you and your non-rural friend a tour and you will see forever. @KSherbi  

 This week please take some time to think about why you are thankful for rural. As always, I ask that you share your #ReasonsRuralRocks here on the blog or on Twitter (with me @sherbani). 

#ReasonsRuralRocks Top Ten Sept 24-Oct 1

I'm a bit behind getting last week's Top Ten #ReasonsRuralRocks together. That's because I've been spending some time on the road visiting rural communities that participated in the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus' Rural Capacity Internship. What a great reminder of why rural rocks! Each community represents a unique set of challenges yes, but also countless opportunities. Similarly, I was reminded of the innovative nature of rural at the GETGlobal Summit hosted by Return2Rural last week. By the looks of it, I wasn't the only one reflecting on the greatest of rural:

10. Our GETGlobal panelists are young, rural entrepreneurs. LIVING proof of being successful and living rural! @return2rural
9. Long, rambling country drives in the fall to see the beautiful colors of the trees. @jbatiuk
8. Creative pilgrims are alive and well in "the middle of nowhere".  @KatieMcCaskey
7. No tall buildings to block stunning sunrises/sets. Trees, yes. Mountains, yes. But not much anthropogenic. @abruralgirl
6. Sitting next to a fire with good friends and enjoying looking at all the stars and the Milky Way.  @johndilbeck
5. Farm tools are a lot bigger than city tools. @CircleBalpacas
4. Potlucks! Country people make the best food. @KSherbi
3. Witnessing the miracle of life. @Alpacamundo
2. Being able to see the wonder of the Northern Lights, while your city friends were wishing they could. @ACSRC
1. Folk from another community 50 miles (80km) away are more often neighbours rather than acquaintances.  @clht1 

- Share your #ReasonsRuralRocks with me (@sherbani)!