”When the Vikings found Iceland and decided it was so beautiful they wanted to stay. However, they really didn’t want anyone to bother them, invade them, or join them…. so, they named it “Iceland.” They named the landmass to the northwest of them “Greenland” simultaneously. Iceland is green, and Greenland is nothing but ice. They hoped people would go to Greenland first, find it to be impossible, and determine that Iceland must be a floating iceberg in comparison .”
from a recent e-mail
What do Iowa and Iceland have in common? - both are hidden treasures
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This is a photo of Iowa was taken by my friend Emily. It could have been taken in the area where we live. I’m using the photo today with her permission. (I’m learning Eva ;-) )
I can’t tell you the number of times when we lived in New Jersey I felt someone look down their nose at me when they found out I was from “Iowa.” (They’d give me this “duuu” look.) or ask “Do you guys have the Internet or Cable TV in Iowa?, ) (Iowa, Ohio, Idaho), (Some of) my Eastern friends didn’t know one state from the other.
The native Americans called Iowa “The Beautiful Land” (or “Place of Peace”)
Iowa has a reputation for being “backwards”, behind the times in the national media…and that’s just fine with me. I like it that way. Keeps too many people from wanting to move here. We live on 4 and 1/2 acres. When we moved here in 1995 there were 2 barns, 7 out buildings and a 2 story 1800 sq ft house all for under $70,000. Today, it would list at around $180,000.00 and I wouldn’t sell it to you if you offered me $750,000.00. (Honest)
At a recent Buy Fresh Buy Local Workshop, I learned that Iowa’s topsoil is some of the richest in the world- the other site is in Russia.
Today’s post is my humble way of celebrating Iowa. If I could live anywhere in the world…it would be right here.
What words come to mind when you think of Iowa? If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why? Do you have any questions about Iowa you would like me to answer? How about a “title” for that picture Emily took – does any come to mind?
Tags: Iowa
May 14, 2008 at 8:15 pm |
Wow. That picture looks very similar to one I took in the countryside of England back in 2000. It’s lovely. I had no idea Iowa was so beautiful!
May 14, 2008 at 9:06 pm |
its truly a wonderful place…
May 15, 2008 at 10:46 am |
Beautiful! I think it lowers blood pressure just looking at it…..
As far as what I think of when I think of Iowa? “If you build it, they will come,” said in James Earl Jones’ deep, deep voice! Sorry!
“Field of Dreams” was one of my favorite movies….
May 15, 2008 at 8:34 pm |
I want a picture of me standing right in the middle of that land
May 16, 2008 at 7:38 am |
All of my fathers family came from Iowa. I can remember as a kid traveling back there and thinking I had landed on a different planet with no mountains and these things called fireflies.
May 18, 2008 at 5:56 pm |
I enjoyed reading your blog. I’m a native Iowan who has been lost too long (living in Florida). I’m looking forward to moving back home someday. I visit Iowa (as often as I can afford to) on vacations every couple of years. My husband thinks I’m crazy. After just seeing the movie “The Final Season”, I’ve been reminded of what my life is lacking…the serene beauty, the community spirit, and living life with your heart in it. I remember my last visit and how the smell of the rich, black earth co-mingling with the green corn stalks hit my nostrils when I drove out of the city limits of Des Moines. It truly is “The Beautiful Land”!
May 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm |
I never doubted, DM.
A lot of people on the east coast don’t appreciate what a lovely place most of the Midwest can be. When I was applying for college out in Michigan and Wisconsin all I got was endless taunts about cows and cheese. Because it’s different people assume they can cast it as less than themselves. I would take WI over Maryland any day of the week (The only things I really miss there are my family…).
People will smile and talk to a stranger out here instead of pretending you don’t exist. It was major culture shock for me when I first came out here. Instead of being unhappy with the difference I was thrilled that there was a place that’s so much warmer (emotionally, not buckets of snow wize
.
I have a bunch of friends who either came from or have lived in Iowa City and I’ve never heard any of them say a word against it.
October 3, 2008 at 6:08 pm |
Hey,
I was born and raised in the Cass/Guthrie county area in southwest Iowa and I have been living in California for the past 4 years. I am about to graduate in December and I am also getting married to an amazing woman from Oregon on the same day. We both have prayed earnestly seeking the Lord’s advice on where to live and I have always said that if I could live the rest of my life and die in Iowa, I would do it… lo and behold, God has provided a place to live right near where I grew up… I proposed to Natalie when we were visiting this summer right where we are going to be living when we move this winter. I believe that Iowa is the greatest place on earth and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world. The west coasters don’t know where it is and don’t understand either, but that is ok with me. I completely resonate with your blog and I can’t wait to be home.
First, there is the freshness of a dewy spring, bursting with newness of life. This gives way to the warm summer nights illuminated by scattered fireflies and the starry sky undefiled by city lights. Soon, a crisp clean wind blows brilliant color into the trees, soon stripping them naked. The coolness of fall soon ends with a silent night of freshly fallen snow, blanketing the rolling hills with blue and white. This lasts only until the trees are awaken once again by the warm sunshine, melting away the frozen ground, giving way to the freshness of a dewy spring once more.
The greenest of green rolling hills, black and white oak trees, fenceless neighborhoods, friendly people, genuine hearts willing to give, hard work, the smells of the changing of the seasons, and finally…
Simplicity.
That is Iowa. Simple and beautiful.
C. M. Groves
April 8, 2009 at 8:21 pm |
Iowa: I have grown to love the state from knowing a certain family for over 10 years even though I have never visited it before. Thankfully I have learned to appreciate the differences of around the world and look forward to one day visiting. I look at that picture above and it gives me a sense of peace when clouds are looming all around. I would call it Peaceful Valley.
April 25, 2009 at 11:08 pm |
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