People sometimes ask, “Hey, don’t you miss living in ____?”
This set me to thinking of all the places I’ve lived over the years.
1. Pennsylvania – 18 years.
2. Illinois – 4 years.
3. Pennsylvania again – 5 more years.
4. California – 10 years.
5. Colorado – 11 years.
6. Illinois again – 1 year.
7. Colorado again – 10 more years.
8. Kansas – 1 year.
9. California again – 1 more year.
10. Colorado again – 4 more years.
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Of all these states, only Kansas do I not have a desire to visit again. Don’t get me wrong, I love Ichabod Washburn statues. And Lawrence has a wonderful basketball team. But the boarded up storefronts of downtown Topeka hold little appeal. And KC? That’s across the river in Missouri.
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Elapsed time-wise, our current state of Colorado holds pride of place. And you gotta admit, it’s a beautiful spot to call home.
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Close behind Colorado in terms of longevity of course is my birth-state of Pennsylvania. And while that place did much to shape who I turned out to be, I think Thomas Wolfe had it right when he said “You can’t go home again.” Or was it “Look Homeward Angel?” I always get those two confused. Ah well, let’s just say it’s a great place to be FROM and leave it at that.
No critique of any PA State agency, either expressed or implied!
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For sheer variety California is hard to beat. And while we do maintain property there, “home” it ain’t. At least not anymore. Ah well, our 2 oldest were born there. It was fun while it lasted.
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I guess the bottom line is: No matter where you roam, it’s the people that make the difference. And every place has its share of precious gems, along with mine tailings. Speaking of which…
Yep, like I said: “Mine tailings.”
And in closing: At least we never lived in Louisiana!
See ya later, Alligator!
Don’t knock it unless you’ve tried it. Alligator tail is delicious. And evidently fine on Fish Fry Friday’s in Lent.