We Novato Patch bloggers sometimes complain, raising concerns and frustrations — and those who comment sympathize, disagree, rave and rant — it’s a beautiful two-way street for those who appreciate this form of communication.
At the pith, it’s all about Novato. All those who are bothering to put fingers to keyboard know this is a special place. The words seem trite but truisms are like that.
I am so thankful that my husband and I jumped in our car 30 years ago and drove 3,000 miles to accidentally find this place. We’ve never left and hopefully never will.
I am so thankful for my husband. He never ceases to surprise me in the caring things he does for my children and me. I think living here in Novato has been a great asset to raising our kids. I am so grateful for all that I learn every day from them.
I am so thankful for my work. I love what I do and whom I do it with. When I am in my office I look out on Mount Burdell, a great creative inspiration. I have filmed in just about every location I can think of in Novato and it’s an extraordinary backdrop.
Not a day goes by that I don’t run into someone new who mentions this blog, or the fact that they see me walking around the town. Not a day goes by I don’t run into someone I’ve know for years. Many times I don’t know how we met, but we did. Folks offer a friendly honk as they drive by. People smile at the grocery store.
These things are typical in a small town, but Novato is a relatively big city. Yet, it’s an undeniable distinction.
Nobody wants this to change. Everyone has a different opinion on how to keep it special.
Our current Citizen of the Year, Dennis Hagerty, wrote a song about Novato, and we created a music video to accompany it. I’ve known Dennis since we first got here, though I have no idea how we met. It’s just that kind of place.
That’s what Dennis named his song. “That Kind of Place.”
I thought I’d send the link along with my thanks to everyone in this town who has made Novato so unique.
For all of our goings on about this issue and that issue, I really don’t think we can muck up the heart of Novato too much, as long the people remain the same!
1) He did what he wanted to do. I won't dump on any profession lest there be those who love it, but I see people every day that settled for the paycheck. 2) He was good at it. Most aren't any good at what they want to do, so they settle for the paycheck. They may have hobbies, but they can't wait to get off work or retire, which is another way of saying that you're not happy with what you do. 3) He made a decent living at it. Bob lived in the only house he ever bought in Berkeley until he died. He was happy with his first choice. 4) He earned the respect of his peers. As the master of his craft and the inventor of the bowl gouge, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he was respected in his field, but could have lived without it because he was happy with himself. 5) He did things on his own terms. He sent some bowls to Gumps, and they ordered 200 more. He said he didn't work that way, and that he would send them what he finished on his own schedule. Congratulations, but the bigger question is what got you here. Back when I used to read books, I read the Bridge of San Luis Rey, that talked of destiny in our lives. Why did you drive 3000 miles to California, and why Novato?
I was thinking about your column when I was driving to work today. I am fortunate to live and work in Novato. Looking at the tree lined streets and remembering what November in New York was like, I continue to be amazed by how beautiful it is to live in here. My favorite sights are people walking dogs,neighborhood gardens, goats, horses and trees as far as the eye can see. We have an abundance of natural beauty. Though I hear from kids all the time that it is too boring to live here, as an older person, I find myself counting my blessing every day. In NY you only had to hop on the train to go to the city and see a concert, visit a museum and go out with friends. We were used to public transport, no one had a car when I was in high school. While Patch can be a hotbed of conflict, for me it has become an opportunity to blog and to talk with Novato neighbors about a variety of subjects. Strong feelings are part of the process. I think we are fortunate to have such a wonderful resource. Brent does a great job of making certain we maintain respectful boundaries. My Christmas wish for Novato is that we are allowed to grow and change with more hope and less fear. I meet local people who are passionate about city government, education, public safety, housing and so many important issues. It has made me believe that there is much we can accomplish if we keep working at it. Thank you again for your columns and your sense of humor.