I have to say this.

I grew up in Indiana. Northwest, in Hobart, next to Gary. I thought I grew up in the state of Chicago. We were south of Lake Michigan and had the Dunes National Lakeshore nearby. When I was younger, I was embarrassed by the corn fields and "the Midwest" stereotype, and couldn't wait to leave. Typical for young people. The grass is always greener, etc. But now I know better- because people in the Midwest are content, they are honest and they are loving. Not all of them, but the ones I know. My family, my friends. Not perfect, but I know them. I trust them.

Growing up in Indiana- I was not deprived of culture. I cannot stand when people assume that if you're from the Midwest you are somehow "lacking." How dare you. How dare you say that if someone stays in the Midwest it means that they don't know any better? That they don't have the benefit of your wisdom, your knowledge, your...whatever. What is it that they think we missed in Indiana? Art? Had it. Education? Had it. Diversity? Had it. Music? Had it. Scenic landscape? Had it. Water? Had it. Sports? Had it. I cannot think of what was missing. Snobs? yeah- they were there. Racism? Yup. Liberals? Yup. Conservatives? Yup. Religion? Yup- all of them.

I have lived all over the country and there are commonalities- the rich, the poor, the ignorant, the well-meaning, the shallow, the bigoted, the martyrs, the drunk, the lazy, the hard-working, the people I wish I could be more like.

Was my life perfect in Indiana? No. Would I move back there? Absolutely. It's not an option for me, but given the chance- I would. The smell of the corn in the summer, the apples in the fall. The bitter wind in the winter and the sound of the robins in the spring. I would go back.

Yeay! Fall!

I know it's about to get hot again, but right now I am enjoying this incredible weather. I always feel more creative in the fall. So, to get things started, I spent Saturday in the studio making letters out of bits of everything! Too fun. Now it is all hanging in the Delaware College of Art and Design Toni and Stuart B. Young Gallery. I actually finished an artsy project! I'll be teaching calligraphy and party planning this fall, so it's great to be able to show people the possibilities!

Some people argue that calligraphy isn't "art," but I couldn't disagree more. There is something so satisfying about creating a piece that people think was done on the computer. Or that they are proud to hang on the wall. Or that speaks emotionally to them. The motion of lettering is like that of a conductor of a symphony- the sweep and rhythm of the arm, the sound of the pen against the paper. It's dangerous because it is addictive. And school starts again next week. Different kind of creativity and pen and paper- not as much fun. But when that is complete (in December) it will be amazingly satisfying. I won't get to letter my own diploma, but I'm OK with that.

Christine and Leaf are very close to being homeowners. We checked out the house with the inspector. Things are not in great shape, but they are manageable (as long as the seller takes care of the roof). My dad and I were laughing at the desire to own a home. I think we would both move to a condo (his would be on a golf course; mine would be in the city overlooking water of some sort). But my mom and my husband would never indulge us. Funny how much we're alike.

Grace took her senior pictures and they are gorgeous. We had a lot of fun picking out the "best" ones. Rosie started school this week and her good friend is either in her classes or has the same break time as Rosie. That will be nice for both of them. We're still sending warm fuzzy thoughts to Emily that she'll find something soon. She saw her Godfather for the first time in twenty years. He lives in LA too. Such a small world.

We'll be visiting mom and dad this weekend. My sister Christine will come down from Connecticut. We haven't all been together since our vacation earlier this summer. Time gets away from us, and months go by without being around my family. But mom will go crazy cooking for everyone (which makes her happy), Chris will bring stuff to make handmade cards (which makes her happy) and I'll just take it all in: Mom, Dad, Chris, Matthew, my girls, maybe Scott, Susan and my nephews.