Things I Love About Minnesota

Version August 2013

The sculpture garden, spoonbridge, running through public sprinklers on a hot humid day,
 

freeways, express lanes, hollering through I-94 tunnels, having a safe haven, a refuge from my feelings of isolation, garden sanctuaries,
 

my parent's house, a mother rich in family history to share, sisters who play past midnight every night for a week, Old Home cottage cheese, bikers all over downtown Minneapolis, the Institute of Art, memories,
 

the lakes, the Como zoo, Sparky the sea lion, indulgent grandmas, pink flamingos,
 

polar bears who swim close to the window, handsome little boys who converse with lions through the glass,
 

the Conservatory, endless shopping potential, endless dining potential, built-in babysitters, finding strength in the temple, quiet car rides without kids,
 

cousins, family birthday parties, brothers to be proud of, Super Grandpa who all the kids adore,
 

Costco food, Costco cakes, radiant baptisms, picnics in the park, huge modern playgrounds, beaches, family dinners, feeling happy, feeling loved,
 

the Great Minnesota Get Together, happy crowds of people,

deep fried cheese curds, butterflies emerging from cocoons, baby cows checking out my baby,
 

the Bazaar, walking until I feel like I might collapse, admiring talent, butter sculptures, fresh dairy raspberry malts,
 

visiting old friends, discovering Northeast Minneapolis as an adult, friendly sidewalk chalk artists, eccentric kindred spirits, groundedness, community,
 

sisters who share: strollers, pronto pups, enlightening comments at church, conversation, friendship and love.