The Green Acres Criteria

Last week, I spent Wednesday in Manhattan and Sunday at East Hill Farm near the base of Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire (my family always spends Columbus Day weekend in New Hampshire).

I have many friends and colleagues in New York City, so I have great respect for the people, culture, and environs of the Big Apple.

Here's a few of the contrasts I experienced.

Manhattan: As I boarded the Subway, a few folks walked into me as if I was invisible.
Monadnock: As I climbed, everyone stopped to chat, commented on the changing leaves, and reveled in the beautiful day.

Manhattan: People ran from the Acela to the Subway looking stressed and overwhelmed
Monadnock: People looked forward to their journey and their destination

Manhattan: People wore stylish heels and designer attire
Monadnock: People wore flannel shirts and boots

Is one better than the other?  That's a function of the weighting criteria of the observer.

If I had to make a personal judgement based on "Green Acres"  criteria:

"Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide.
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.
...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square
You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there. "

then I'm a farm, land, hay, chores, fresh air kind of guy.

I love to visit New York, but the back roads of New England feel like home.