where do you live?

Day 7  
I realized today that I enjoy reading these essays more than writing them! I have always loved reading, for as long as I can remember. I have such a beautiful obsession with books. I guess I love stories. I always wonder about people and what their story is... I always wonder why people live where they do.  I love geography and maps and atlases. I am heavily reliant on my trusty GPS system when I make almost any trip...but I am old enough to remember when I had to actually get out a road map and LOOK at it to chart my travels. I live in a tiny town in northern Illinois. I don't particularly love this town, it is small-town minded and sadly lacking in anything cultural (or delicious). So why do I live here?  I guess I'm lazy. comfortable. old. We were always gonna move "somewhere else" but the years just kept going and there was always expenses that took precedence. I do like it when people tell me they are living in their 'dream place' whether it is a state or country or actual home but honestly I cannot relate. I am not sure where mine is. One good thing is I am only about 65 miles from the great city of Chicago and it is easy to access the city.
When I read these little stories in 500words my mind automatically forms a sort of picture of the person writing them. and before you know it, I've a tiny story formed. It's like when you ride the train with the same person every day, but you don't know them or anything, you kind of form a story about them. Which of course I do realize is probably NOT who they are or remotely even close...but it's still kind of fun.
​I got to see a friend today who is in town for something (he lives in Philly currently but is from Iowa) and it was really lovely to visit and walk around the French Market, a sort of farmers market thing with vendors selling 'french stuff' in the midwest.  Of course I had to drive (an hour and 4 minutes,according to GPS) to get to him and the market he was helping his cousin at, and I started thinking about all the different cities and towns full of people that I don't even know exist!   Oh crap, I am 58 years old and I haven't experienced SO MANY PLACES. It gives me a bit of a  panic feeling.  It's enjoyable to read these writings. I learn shit. And I love learning.
I guess I skipped the prompt today. Some of them appeal to me and some days I just don't do them. They're good to have though. I enjoy the continuity in themes when reading. I had forgotten how much freakin time reading (and writing) all these 500words essays takes out of my night though. Totally enjoyable.   x #500wordsaday