News

Having not read the news over the last two weeks, I caught up a bit tonight.

First, my prayers are going out to the families the three Pittsburgh police officers killed this week. I lived in Pittsburgh for two years, and I loved it there. I was so sad to hear this story.

Coming a bit closer to home, MO gets a big 0 points in the MO vs. NY battle for its incest and this irresponsible gun owner. MO gets no points here. 

It doesn't bode well for my line of work that non-profits nationwide are struggling to pay the bills.

A big 1 point for New York that Coney Island isn't closed, afterall. I was among the masses who were mislead in 2008 and 2009 by talk of the park closing. Turns out, only part of the park closed in the fall...Ladies and gentleman, line up for your Nathan's hotdogs and your Wonder Wheel rides. 

And finally, a column, the writing style of which was thoroughly engaging. Check out this NY Times story on Virginia Heffernan's column, "I Hate My iPhone". 

NY = 1 for being home of the newspaper I love.

Today's Total score: MO=0; NY=2

Wineries, Coffee Shops, Art Galleries...a Castle?!

What's become of my bumbling little country bumpkin of a home state, Missouri? 

I hardly recognize my downtown square, which is now lined with a cafe, a New York style pizza place, a fairly nice bar and restaurant, and a music store.

And don't get me started on the national bicycle race coming thr

ough town. We never had that kind of thing when I was a kid.

What? Is one of the nation's last living independent music stores really in St. Louis? Darned right, it is. And I'm proud to say I've been buying music there since I was 16.

You know what else Missouri has? It has wineries. Like, no joke, a LOT of wineries. Wineries with good wine, beautiful views, live music on the weekends, art galleries, and B&Bs. 

Finally, and then I'm getting back to updating my events listing for April (look beneath this blog)...We have yoga. I took my first small town yoga class tonight, and it was good. 

If none of the above perks you up to the Show-Me State, check this out...Joplin, Missouri has a castle:

Photo from 4statehome.com

Despite my grouchy, short-fused, angsty poop of a mood over the last few days over missing New York, I've gotta hand it to Missouri - it's changed a lot in the 10+ years since I last lived here.