Mr. Andrew L. Stevans

Country Livin' Two City Teens Work a Summer on the Farm: the Farms of Washington County, Pennsylvania Mr. Andrew L. Stevans

Many of the "Country Livin? " stories appeared in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette over a one-year period. Originally written for the Peter?s Township farm community in Washington County, Pennsylvania, the stories became popular with Post Gazette readers throughout Pittsburgh and the other surrounding counties. These fact-based vignettes are told from the perspective of a 13 year old, city bred teen. They vividly describe his life and times while working a spring, summer and fall in the fertile farm belt just south of Pittsburgh. "Country Livin? " is filled with real people, some who still live in the area. The stories capture humorous and often poignant moments in rural life, as well as the social and cultural values of the area. A central theme involves the antics of an older city teen, a neighbor who worked on the farm the previous summer. Many of the stories focus on the competitiveness of two strong-willed, imaginative teens, adapting to each other and to the demands of farm life. Throughout "Country Livin? " the younger teen conveys his fascination with farm animals?their excellent memories and their unpredictability. Dogs and cats he thinks he understands pretty well, but the ?lessons learned? from working with larger farm animals, and a few smaller ones, what he calls ?animal quirks,? he?ll never forget.