Michigan

I live in Michigan. *not in the U.P. There are important differences*

My home is in a small village on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. You know about Ann Arbor. Right? Home to the University of Michigan...where football is a religion. However, A2 has a lot to offer...especially for  someone like me. Diverse population. Lots of cultural activities, and it's filled with Liberals, which is how I fly. We're also about 50 miles outside of Detroit...home of Tiger baseball, and Pistons basketball. *We won't talk about Lions football, because: A. They suck, and B. Football is a stupid sport...almost as stupid as golf.*

Michiganders love to complain. (It's because they've never lived in Indiana.)

I don't complain, because it is a waste of energy, and completely useless. The following is a list of things that Michiganders complain about.

Snow. I don't get that, because I find snow to be a wonderful thing. This year we were slammed with an all-time record amount of snow. Yeah. You have to shovel. Big deal.  It's great exercise. And what difference does it make if you have a foot of snow, or four feet of it?  It's beautiful to look at, it gives off an ambient light, which is great on gray days. The important thing to do is to get outside and relearn to play. Take nice long walks. People are really good about keeping their sidewalks clear. I am owned by an Alaskan Malamute, Bree,  who will not allow me to skip her daily walks.  So. Snow. It's all good.

Cold weather. It happens every winter. I happen to love the cold. Although, it is a challenge to take Bree out for her morning and late afternoon walks when it is -20F. But. It's all in how you approach it. Necessary layering,  down coat, preferably with a deep hood, and gloves with one of those little packets of heat tucked inside. Scarves and snow boots, and you're good to go!  I fail to see the problem.

Potholes. I don't like them.  Nobody does. But they are there, and generally get filled before U of My football season starts.

Rain. I NEVER complain about rain! It's as important as snow in avoiding droughts in Michigan. Droughts are bad.  Snow and rain are good.

Traffic. Always a pleasure. I just avoid driving whenever possible.  And I never drive into A2 on a game day.

Moving on here, to summer heat. I admit to having difficulty with heat. But. There it is...every year. But, as in winter, you need to reclaim your playful side. Bree and I take very long walks in the summer heat every day. *But I also swim 3 metric miles a day.*  And those awesome Michigan sunsets! And there are literally hundreds of lakes everywhere, including the BIG ONES.  Most beautiful beaches in the country. Great for open water swimming. No sharks. No jellyfish.

Art Fair. Every year A2 hosts artists from around the country. Yup. Streets are clogged, and it always falls on the hottest week of the year...the last week of July. Local merchants make a lot of money. Artists make money. It's a people watching paradise. I've been there. Many times. Now I stay home. But I don't complain. Art Fair is special for a lot of people.

Parking. Yup. Parking in A2 is a nightmare. There is no doubt about that. But complaining about it continually is so common, that I consider it to be a sport. Who can come up with the most nightmarish parking story? But. When new parking structures are built, well.  There is just no end to the whining. You just have to accept the fact that there is no place to park in Ann Arbor, and get on with your life.

Pure Michigan. An amazingly beautiful, and wonderful place to live. Love it!