Nebraska State Of Mind (re-deux)

Just because I grew up in Nebraska, doesn't mean I'm some sort of, cowboy.  Although I like the idea.  My grandfather, my mothers dad, was the closest thing to a cowboy I'm sure i'll ever know.  If I was any kind of smart, I would have modeled my life after his.  Of course I'm not very smart.  Not in the life choice department anyway. 

A lot of the time I wish, or dream, that I hadn't been raised in Nebraska.  Telling people you're from New York would be awesome and probably  appear mysterious.  Maybe that's because I'm not, from New York.  Maybe its because I think New Yorkers are mysterious.  Or what about European?   Even with the debt crisis, and the many language barriers,  I'd get a far better reaction than, Nebraska.  Where?  Oh you know, right above Kansas.  No?  Not sure where that is either?  How about west of Iowa.  No, no. No where near California.  I give up.

Some days, as of late, I do dream of simpler living.  On a farm.  Out near, well, nothing.  No concrete.  No, bus noises or sirens.  No waiting in line at the Starbucks drive thru.  Yes, we do have Starbucks in Nebraska.  Shush.  Don't tell anyone.  It might ruin our cowfolk credibility.   But seriously, did my fore fathers (and mother's) have it right?  Was industrialization really that great of an idea?  I'm not so sure anymore.  If you've never heard about 100 acres and a mule, Google it.  That mess will blow your mind.  Of course, there's a chance it won't.  That's ok too.  No one is saying you need a mule.  Or chickens. 
 
As I've gotten older I've slowly come to terms with where I'm from.  A lot of really important stuff happened here.  That whole railroad thing for starters. Not to mention Nebraska was part of one of the largest land purchases in history.  Ok, two names, Lewis and Clark.  Anyone?  No?  Oh!  Does the Oregon Trail ring any bells?!  Sure the east coast has the history, but we have the guts.  We have the nasty bits no one wants to touch. We have the ambition and the know how.  We are also really, really nice people.  Most of us anyway.  Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way.  If you've never seen fog hang, literally stick, over the Platte River at sunrise in the fall, you my friend, most likely can't relate to anything I'm saying.

So no, I'm no cowboy.  In retrospect I haven't had it that hard.  I am however insanely greatful to the legions of midwesterners that have come before me.  The families and individuals that have made it possible to live in and enjoy this quieter, less annoying part of the country.  I've been a lot of places, and I'd like to see more, but I will never trade Nebraska for anywhere else. 

One more thing.  Not Nebraska related.

I've been listening to a lot of Marian Call.  She's a singer from Alaska.  She just did  Kickstarter for her tour in Europe.  If anything you should watch the video here.  It's amazing!