The Wizard of Oz left in a PT Cruiser What I miss about the Midwest

Today as I was sitting at the intersection waiting to get on the 8, an electric blue PT Cruiser drove by in front of me. I started to laugh. Mostly I was laughing remembering how Matt described the PT Cruiser to Amy on the streets of Lawrence...it will not be repeated here...you kind of had to be there.

However, the bright blue PT Cruisers reminded me of my trip to Kansas, which reminded me of the Midwest, which reminded me that I meant to blog my list of things I miss about the Midwest.

1) Weather
Particularly thunderstorms. There were 2 while in Kansas, and they were glorious to behold. Yes, I am waxing poetic about thunderstorms.

2) Green
Green Trees, green lawns, green everywhere...instead of brown...yellow...more brown...

3) Silence
Okay, this one is mainly because I slept in the most glorious room in the house in Kansas...cold, quiet, dark...lovely...

4) Driving
Leisurely. Without feeling like you have to fight everyone else on the road.

5) Freedom to relax
I don't know what it is, but it's just easier to relax in the Midwest. You have stuff to do, but you can get it done without feeling on edge. Wait. Quest. Shoot. I may have to strike that one.

6) Friendliness
They say "MN nice" is a myth, but I do think most Midwestern-ers would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it.

7) Private "parks"
Lawns. Not parks. Lawns. That you can play croquet in. Until someone knocks you out of the game because his ball is "poison" now...not bitter at all...

The entire time in Kansas my insides felt torn. I thouroughly enjoy living in San Diego (especially given the Midwest winters this year) but really, if I'm honest with myself, I'll always be part Midwest girl.

Now I also have a different PT Cruiser reference, instead of just the silver, purple flame, purple dashboard one we used to have at my former place of employment. Yes, this one did have an electric blue dashboard, in case you were wondering.