Minnesota: where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average

Its just another week here. Random updates on the personal... we all like to get personal right? Maybe you've heard about the 8 lane bridge that collapsed in Minnesota? It was big news last week and a huge shock to many that a supposedly stable bridge in the US could fail like that. Maybe I have never mentioned before that Minnesota happens to be my little corner of the world. It's where I was raised so when I first heard the reports, I felt ill. I cannot count on two hands all the friends and family I have in Minneapolis. My brother, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, my friends. Well first I will say that everyone I know is okay. Thank you. But just. My aunt Claire and my young cousin William were on that bridge 4 mins before it fell. 4 minutes. My big brother cycled to the area that evening and took these pictures. Flip.

There is this joke about the culture there, "you know when you are in Minnesota when someone offers to help you in a store, but they don't work there." (I do this all the time ['oh there's a great sale rack of dresses in the back']. It scares kiwis) Generally Minnesotans are very polite, extremely friendly, and keen to help. Right now that is part of the reason the death toll of the bridge collapse is so low. Immediately pedestrians ran to the scene and helped victims before official rescue workers arrived with some even going into the wreckage or water to pull people out. After rescuers arrived, they helped run stretchers to ambulance until they had enough trained workers on the scene.
Did I mention Minnesotans are also tough? In this case, many people just walked to the very near by hospital if their injuries weren't too serious (wouldn't want to bother the ambulances). I kid you not.

This is a work in progress.... for a friends album cover. More on that later.

John Wayne and Chief Joseph adorn my walls. Note: reigns are in Johns mouth so his hands are free to 'shoot 'em up'

Did I ever tell you I was a bit of a cowgirl? Not many of many people here know that about me because I guess it just never comes up in conversation. Plus there are not many chances in the city to jump on horse and show them how you can ride (western style of course). Perhaps I should dig up some photos.

in my new (vintage?) dress from recycle boutique. I was drawn to unusual the neckline

My Russian boxes, I guess I am collecting them. And the very inspiring works of Henry Darger.

YOU KNOW YOU"RE MINNESOTAN WHEN....

You've never met any celebrities.

You've seen all the biggest bands ten years after they were popular.

You know several people who have hit a deer.

Your school classes were canceled because of cold.

Your school classes were canceled because of heat.

You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it no matter what time of the year.

You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example: "Where's my coat at?" or "If you go to town I wanna go with."

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

The local paper covers national and international headlines on one page but requires 6 pages for sports.

You find -20 degrees F "a little chilly".

You know all 4 seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Construction.

You know if another Minnesotan is from southern, middle or northern Minnesota as soon as they open their mouth.

your town has an equal number of bars and churches

you have ever had an entire telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number.

you praise the parents of the state's top basketball player for pulling him off of the team until his grades improve.

your dog dies, your spouse leaves you, you lose your job, and your car breaks down, all on the same day, and the first thought that comes to your mind is, "It could be worse".

you have ever refused to buy something because it's too "spendy."

someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work there.

you have ever apologized to a telemarketer.

you beam with pride when some King or Hollywood super star comes to the Mayo Clinic to save their lives.

you have ever thought Michelangelo's statue of David was "indecent."

If you install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked

If you carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them,

If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights each year because International Falls is the coldest spot in the nation.

So those things I find funny because they are true of myself or Minnesotans I know.

okay over and out,
Kimberlee