Feeling Minnesota
My husband G. Grod and I moved to Minnesota seven years ago when he got a job here. We were open to moving, and the best offer was here, so we moved. I had never been here before, but had heard good things about it from friends and thought it auspicious that a number of authors whose books and comic books I admired lived here, such as Neil Gaiman, Steven Brust, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Zander Cannon. A few years ago we bought a condo, then last year we sold that and bought a house, so I think that we’ll be staying.
We’ve received a fair amount of grief from family and friends over our choice. They complain that it’s an expensive, long trip (though most of them have made the expensive, long trip far fewer times than we have made it in reverse). But over time, Minnesota in general, and the Twin Cities in particular, have inveigled their way into our good graces. For many reasons large and small, we like it here. I’m beginning a new category in which I can wax rhapsodic about things Minnesotan that particularly charm me.
Today, for example, I got the reminder in the mail that a local charity will be picking up at the end of next week. I will go through the house, collecting clothing, books and toys that we no longer need, then place them in a bag by the curb in front of our house next week. When it is picked up, we will get a receipt for taxes dropped in our mail slot.
Curbside charity with an advance reminder. It’s one more reason to love living here.
August 20th, 2005 at 8:46 am
I love Minnesota and I am glad that you do too. Hsve you been to the farmers market lately? That will really make your heart sing.
August 30th, 2005 at 3:51 pm
Yes, we went this past weekend and got some lovely things, including raspberries, wee strawberries, carrots, and yummy baked goods from the Birchwood. Two weeks ago it had a corn and brat cookout, and they had real, local butter for the corn, and grilled garlic shoots. Yum! I am sporadic about farmer’s markets, and usually get my act together by the end of the summer. The season is almost over, but the selection is really good by then.