Happy Monday, friends!
Have you seen the social media trend where people make a few witty fill-in-the-blank statements about their profession and/or life?
I’m a mystery writer… of course my internet search history might land me on an FBI watch list.
I’m a teacher… of course I keep a stash of emergency chocolate in my desk.
I’m a mother of teens… of course my grocery bill is equivalent to the GDP of a small nation.
It’s a fun trend, and though I’m a bit late to the game, I thought it might be fun to reproduce it here. I’ve been a proud Iowan for most of my life (a brief and glorious stint in British Columbia forged an enduring love for the province and earned me Canadian citizenship—I’m a dual citizen), but it has always rankled me that Iowa is often mocked and maligned—or ignored completely. It’s a pretty awesome state filled with even better people, and while I miss the mountains and the ocean, I think there is something very special about this little slice of middle America. Don’t you?
So…
I’m an Iowan… of course I know my neighbors (and am happy to let them borrow a cup of sugar, water their plants when they’re on vacation, or keep an eye on their kids while they run errands).
I’m an Iowan… of course I’ll stand in the grocery store aisle and chat with you for twenty minutes about everything from the weather to your mother’s concerning diagnosis.
I’m an Iowan… of course I break out the patio furniture and fire up the grill when it hits 50 degrees in the spring—and I’m definitely not wearing a coat.
I’m an Iowan… of course I have a favorite sweet corn farmer and will stalk the Main Street park for their market truck at harvest time.
I’m an Iowan… of course I head outside instead of running for the basement when the tornado sirens go off.
I’m an Iowan… of course I walked beans, detassled corn, helped my parents plant the garden, mowed the lawn, shoveled snow, and worked outside in a dozen different ways from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
I’m an Iowan… of course I ran wild when I was a kid—until my mom’s whistle called me home. (My Iowan kids still run wild!)
I’m an Iowan… of course I’m going to comment on the beauty of the breathtakingly gorgeous sunset every single night—and mean it.
I’m an Iowan… of course I eat cinnamon rolls with my chili. Doesn’t everyone?
I’m an Iowan… of course I’ve seen Field of Dreams at least a dozen times. (Is this heaven? No, it’s Iowa. Close enough!)
I’m an Iowan… of course I can drive on winter roads with the skill and proficiency of the Ice Road Truckers. (And won’t bat an eye when the sheriff’s department puts out a travel advisory—I’ll just slow down a bit.)
I’m an Iowan… of course I think my state is one of the sweetest, most warm and welcoming, down-to-earth, and wonderful places on the planet.
AND…
I’m an Iowan… of course I think Caitlin Clark is an absolute legend, and I’m so proud of what she and the entire Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team is doing for women’s sports!
Do you live in Iowa? If so, what did I miss? And if you aren’t from the Hawkeye State, what’s something that characterizes where you live? I’d love to hear!
Have a wonderful week, everyone! As always, thanks for reading. xoxo - Nicole
I’m a proud member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. There are so many of us that I am highlighting a few at a time. I invite you to check out these amazing writers and journalists!
I'm an Iowa of course, "Opp, lemme sneak right past ya there." :) I love this so much! I live in Paris and miss Iowa every single day.
Of course, I love your writing! Of course, Iowans sit in their open garages in woven, strappy lawn chairs and watch the neighborhood action ♥️