We'd ride out of that valley down to where the fields were green

Driving into a downtown rust-belt, faded-beyond-hope American city every weekday is a death trap.

A suicide rap.

And downright depressiing.

So, the drive through Bucks County to run an errand yesterday was like sitting in the optometrist's office getting an eye exam and having him/her adjust the lenses until everything comes into focus.

Downtown rust-belt, faded-beyond-hope American city: "Better…... or Worse?" Worse.
Upper Black Eddy: Better……. or Worse?" Better.

I had forgotten the quaint villages, the farmland, the pre-Civil-War stone houses, and the sheep, cows and horses of Bucks County. Somehow, I had expected this area to be overdeveloped, and the foul taste of urban blight had deadened my senses to the possibility that hey, it's not ALL ugly.

Some may think I am crazy, but it reminded me of Ireland.

Seriously.