If you ever casually insult Texas in front of a Texan, be prepared to put up your dukes. Most Texans have a passionate pride in their state that makes them react strongly – even violently – to a perceived slight. Though portions of their state are dusty eyesores filled with semi-literate yahoos, Texans puff their chests out at the sight of the Texas flag or the lilting strains of the “Yellow Rose of Texas.”
Michigan, on the other hand, is timidly supported by even her strongest adherents. For reasons I don’t understand, the fair peninsulas seem to stir only tepid emotions, at least publicly.
I’m guilty as the rest and have less excuse because I know better. With one brief exception I’ve lived here all my life and have seen just about every nook and cranny of the state. With all due respect to our Texan cousins, the Lone Star state doesn’t hold a candle to Michigan.
Ms. X has been a big, big influence in reawakening my long buried feelings about Michigan, especially the north country. She loves the state dearly and is not shy about it. We now spend a lot of vacation time (and dollars) right here and enjoy it immensely. The (now) resort home and, hopefully, some day retirement home we’re sharing on every spare weekend and vacation day was her idea. And a great idea it was.
Jeff Daniels of Hollywood fame has also influenced me to wear my Michigan love more on my sleeve. His unabashed and open love for his state should be an example for us all. If you ARE a closet Michigan lover, just listen to his beautiful rendition of the Civil War-era song “Michigan, My Michigan” for proof of his devotion. Makes me cry every time I hear it. Click here to listen.
But back to that resort home. Right now I’m looking out the window at a beautiful scene of brilliant white snow and the muted browns and greens of pines and cedars. The lake we enjoy so much during the warmer months is in its long frozen slumber. As the seasons change, and even day to day, the view offers a constantly changing kaleidoscope of beauty.
And water is, to a great extent, the secret of Michigan’s beauty. A sizeable chunk of all the fresh water on Earth surrounds the state and is sprinkled across it like jewels in the form of countless small lakes like the one I’m gazing at. If you like water, you’ll love Michigan.
But it’s not just the water. Ms. X and I enjoy the rolling terrain and gentle vistas as we make the trek up M-33 toward the cottage. The American Midwest may not have some of the drama of the west and east, but its serene beauty is a wonderful antidote to the pressures of the week.
And, lastly, the people are special, too. Maybe one of the reasons that Michiganders don’t spend more time bragging about their state is that, by nature, they tend to be quiet compared to a Texan, a New Yorker or a Californian. And more genuine to my eyes, too. No empty L.A. air kisses behind the ears or Bronx Cheers or cowboy hats with no cattle.
Maybe I should be glad that Michigan doesn’t get more attention. Places like southern California, Florida and Texas have arguably been spoiled by their own success. Anyone who has spent a few hours on a California freeway or in a crowded Florida park knows what I mean.
Michigan, on the other hand, is timidly supported by even her strongest adherents. For reasons I don’t understand, the fair peninsulas seem to stir only tepid emotions, at least publicly.
I’m guilty as the rest and have less excuse because I know better. With one brief exception I’ve lived here all my life and have seen just about every nook and cranny of the state. With all due respect to our Texan cousins, the Lone Star state doesn’t hold a candle to Michigan.
Ms. X has been a big, big influence in reawakening my long buried feelings about Michigan, especially the north country. She loves the state dearly and is not shy about it. We now spend a lot of vacation time (and dollars) right here and enjoy it immensely. The (now) resort home and, hopefully, some day retirement home we’re sharing on every spare weekend and vacation day was her idea. And a great idea it was.
Jeff Daniels of Hollywood fame has also influenced me to wear my Michigan love more on my sleeve. His unabashed and open love for his state should be an example for us all. If you ARE a closet Michigan lover, just listen to his beautiful rendition of the Civil War-era song “Michigan, My Michigan” for proof of his devotion. Makes me cry every time I hear it. Click here to listen.
But back to that resort home. Right now I’m looking out the window at a beautiful scene of brilliant white snow and the muted browns and greens of pines and cedars. The lake we enjoy so much during the warmer months is in its long frozen slumber. As the seasons change, and even day to day, the view offers a constantly changing kaleidoscope of beauty.
And water is, to a great extent, the secret of Michigan’s beauty. A sizeable chunk of all the fresh water on Earth surrounds the state and is sprinkled across it like jewels in the form of countless small lakes like the one I’m gazing at. If you like water, you’ll love Michigan.
But it’s not just the water. Ms. X and I enjoy the rolling terrain and gentle vistas as we make the trek up M-33 toward the cottage. The American Midwest may not have some of the drama of the west and east, but its serene beauty is a wonderful antidote to the pressures of the week.
And, lastly, the people are special, too. Maybe one of the reasons that Michiganders don’t spend more time bragging about their state is that, by nature, they tend to be quiet compared to a Texan, a New Yorker or a Californian. And more genuine to my eyes, too. No empty L.A. air kisses behind the ears or Bronx Cheers or cowboy hats with no cattle.
Maybe I should be glad that Michigan doesn’t get more attention. Places like southern California, Florida and Texas have arguably been spoiled by their own success. Anyone who has spent a few hours on a California freeway or in a crowded Florida park knows what I mean.
Those of us in the know will keep Michigan our little secret for a while longer.
