I was born and raised in a town in Southeast Missouri and have been in this same small town all my life. There were times I dreamed of leaving in search of 'bigger fish to fry' or greener pastures, but something would always come along and change my mind. Sometimes that greener grass is no better than the grass you already have, there's just a lot more of it to mow.

Now that I'm older and hopefully wiser, I realize all the benefits of small town life. I like going to the grocery store or the post office and have people call me by my first name. As hokey as it sounds, I'm comfortable with the quiet life. It's nice and easy, and that suits me fine.