The other metformin side effects appetite day I realized that I’ve become so accustomed to my Waterville surroundings that I’ve nearly forgotten what “noisy” really is.

I feel pestered when the little neighbor dog has a barking fit, and I become grumpy when a car drives by brandishing an obnoxious muffler modification.

I’m not sure what brought me to my senses, but I was compelled to recall what it was like to live on one of the busiest intersections in the middle of Wenatchee — the constant buzz of traffic noise, the booming music from the club next door or being startled awake from the sound of a Chelan Avenue street race.

Then I remembered our first night here in Waterville. The quiet was deafening. For the first time in years, the only thing distracting me from falling sleep was the ringing in my ears.

Living here has really helped me to learn to “stop and smell the roses.” Now I just need to remind myself to stop and listen to the quiet.

Angela Richmond has lived in Waterville for three years. To read more of her writing, visit her blog at inhymnilive.blogspot.com.
Got an idea for a future column? Angela would like to hear from you! Shoot us an e-mail at weekly@empire-press.com, or visit her blog at inhymnilive.blogspot.com.