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You Can’t Survive Winter Without Surviving Your Neighbors
Because winter is here, and it’s about to get real
Last spring, when the pandemic turned New York City into a weird zombie apocalypse version of itself, I admit that I was one of the many apartment-dwellers who fantasized about moving to the country. All there was to do was hike in the woods anyway, might as well get out there, drop out of the rat race, and live my best folklore-flavored life, right? Well, had I decamped to literally much greener pastures then, I would now be experiencing my first rural winter, and to be honest, I would probably be dead. Or at least very cold and confused. And definitely wondering how to obtain espresso.
Novelist Courtney Maum has some words of wisdom for people now living through their first country winter, and it truly applies to everyone: “Going with the flow is crucial to success in a country winter and beyond.” Maum notes that surviving winter — like surviving any difficult season — takes a lot of planning, grit, and most importantly, community. “But above all, love thy neighbor,” she reminds us. “Love thy neighbor despite the twelve-foot inflatable Grinch they currently have plugged in on their front lawn.” Advice for the ages.
