Cold Like Minnesota (Issue #20)
Today’s theme is the place I call home – Minnesota (but mostly just Minneapolis, haha).
Hi friends!
I vividly remember the summer when I moved to Minnesota. I was about to enter fourth grade, and up to that point had spent most of my life on the East Coast. Now, at seven years old, I was about to move to a state I had never even heard of – Minnesota. I was eventually excited to move there, but only after I’d learned about the Mall of America. I’d been told there was an amusement park in the center of the mall and thought it was the coolest thing EVER (it was).
As I started to settle into my new midwestern home, I struggled a bit with the subtle language differences. A few months after moving, I befriended a girl in my neighborhood and I’ll never forget the huge argument we got into about whether using swear words was called cussing or cursing. Thus began my discovery of all the words midwesterners said differently. It was out with lollipops, soda, and sneakers, and in with suckers, pop, and tennis shoes. Two decades later, all of these words have wormed their way through my vocabulary, and I often use them interchangeably.
I moved a lot as a kid, but as an adult, I mostly like to stay in one place (aside from vacations, of course). The Midwest isn’t perfect, but as climate change progresses, I feel grateful to not be worried about my house being swallowed by the ocean, or destroyed in an earthquake or hurricane. Maybe I should clarify – Minnesota is fine, but what I really love is the Twin Cities (aka Minneapolis + St. Paul, although I’m heavily biased towards the former 😉). The city may be far from the biggest in the country, but it’s still a city, and the perk of its size is just how much nature can be found throughout. And while I do like the woods in small doses, the lack of diversity in more rural areas can feel super stifling and suffocating if I’m there for too long. Minneapolis is the best of both worlds, with countless lakes, parks, and rivers, combined with the lively energy and diversity of a city.
So today I thought I would make a little ode to the place I call home. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend
StarTribune: Minnesota's last one-room schoolhouse counts on its longtime teacher by Jenna Ross
This profile follows Linda LaMie, a teacher at the last one-room schoolhouse in the country. The school sits on Minnesota’s Northwest Angle. Interestingly, the Norwest Angle is actually connected to Canada and the only way to get to it from the lower 48 is by boat or plane. Ross stitches together a lovely profile about LaMie, and her dedication to her students and the broader community.
Racket: What’s the Deal with St. Paul? by Ian Ringgenberg
This is a really funny and immersive piece from the perspective of a die-hard Minneapolis resident (like me)! If you’re not from Minnesota, what you need to know is that while Minneapolis and St Paul are commonly referred to as the “Twin Cities,” many folks have very strong opinions on which is better. So for this piece, Riggenberg spent 72 hours in St. Paul to explore what makes this city truly special.
Twin Cities PBS Documentary: First Avenue: Closer to the Stars
Thanks in part to Prince, First Avenue has gained national recognition as an iconic dance club and live concert venue located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. I’ve personally enjoyed visiting First Avenue throughout the years, and I love this historical look at the ways the venue has evolved and shaped countless music genres.
Sahan Journal: Black people in Scott County live an average of 89.7 years–longer than almost anywhere else in the nation. Researchers want to know why. by Sheila Mulrooney Eldred
A fascinating look at an area just outside of the Twin Cities. I really didn’t expect Scott County to have the diversity it does, and it was interesting to read the perspectives of residents who call this the county home.
Playlists to add to your music library.
Take a trip along the Mississippi to the frozen land of ten thousand lakes with this playlist! Each song features a shout-out to Minnesota/Minneapolis :)
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Sweet corn is currently in season in Minnesota and I’m really looking forward to trying this recipe for Grilled Corn Salad with Hot Honey-Lime Dressing. My husband Andrew really loves honey (especially hot honey) and I really love corn, so this recipe feels made for us, haha.
Ben Afquack (@minnesotaduck) is a Minnesota-based duck who gained internet fame after a video of him playing the drums went viral. It’s the type of celebrity that feels very Minnesotan, and definitely a fun (albeit silly) account to follow.
I met Anna Houston a few years ago after she hired my company to photograph her wedding. Since then, I’ve followed her work and fallen in love with her music! She released a few amazing singles recently: Find You (On the Internet) and Thin Skin. I’ve added her songs to different playlists, and can’t wait to hear more!!
Speaking of Minnesota music, this song by Lucien Parker is an ode to South Minneapolis. I wanted to add it to this week’s playlist, but since it isn’t available on Spotify, I thought I’d just share it here!
Baba’s Hummus has quickly become my go-to dip for veggies and bread. Their hummus is available in a number of stores across the midwest, and they even opened a restaurant in Uptown, Minneapolis!
Before I go, I wanted to give you a little sneak peek of what paid subscribers received this past Monday:
I compiled all my favorite quick recipes and simple (but still delicious) meal hacks all in one place! Check it out here.
Thanks again for taking this little trip through my home state! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
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