I'm a little bit country

On Thursday I packed up the kids and we flew to Northern Michigan to visit my family.

The trip was mostly uneventful, if a little squished.

My squishedness was caused by one brassy-blond-woman-in-23E. Here's what I have to say to HER: if you insist on reclining your seat, at least glance over your shoulder first to check out the situation of the unlucky soul BEHIND you.

Namely, me trying to fold 74 inches of body into three square feet of space while tending to small children who, every five minutes, need something fetched from the backpack which rests directly under your lolling head.

And if you MUST maximize your space by hogging up a large chunk of MINE, at least ease down slowly and do not slam yourself back after beverages have just been served.

There. I feel better now.

The little corner of Michigan where my parents live is pastoral. There's no more appropriate way to describe it.

You know you're in the country when you can instantly locate a brush pile taller than a silo.

And a silo.

And a huge, steaming heap of manure.

Just kidding about the steam. There's no livestock on my parents' land.

But there are sunflower fields.

And overturned wheelbarrows (that I didn't even stage for this particular photo shoot).

And chocolate chip zucchini bundt cake my mom made that is safe for Fruit Bat (and delicious too!)

And, over yonder, pig roasters sitting in people's yards

While we're here, I fully expect to sit entranced, drunk on sunshine and contentment while watching Fruit Bat and Kitty Cat frolic in grassy fields, to get lots of sleep (up in the hayloft) and to catch fireflies in a jar. Coming across a maiden milking a cow would be icing on the cake.

So to speak.

Because I'm all about rustic cliches.

Comments

[Csquaredplus3]

I LOATHE it when people recline seats on an airplane. It's simply not necessary. I worked for an airline for years (in pilot training - I wasn't a flight attendant which most people assume I was becasue I'm a woman) and I know how planes are configured. The reclining feature should be removed - except for first class - I like it there :)

Your Michigan photos are lovely. I'm from Indiana - spent many childhood summers in scenes similar to your images.

Your mother must be a wonderful soft spot for you all.

Thanks for sharing and enjoy!

[Sugee]

GORGEOUS pics, I love the first and the last. Thanks!

[Jennifer]

Flying sucks, no matter what. I feel for you and your long legs, you should have had your kids kick her seat until she moved.

Sounds like F.B. and K.C. were good little flyers.

Michigan looks wonderful. I love the sunflower photo.

Also, the cake looks good. I would have never thought to put zucchini and chocolate chips into the same mixing bowl, but the results look pretty yummy.

Have a great vacation!

[Sheryl]

Pig roasters! I had no idea such a thing even existed.

Also, my condolences, flying must suck if you're tall.

[180/360]

I love that second photo. :) My sister lives in Michigan, so it all looks so familiar.

As far as reclining seats go- I wish they didn't recline at all!

Once while traveling to England, I had a nice young chap ask me if I wouldn't mind if he reclined his seat. He was so polite for under 18, I couldn't bear to say no. Ever since then, I've never reclined my own seat- mainly because I couldn't bear the thought of asking the person behind me which seems like the right thing to do in retrospect. But also because, no matter how polite- it is always uncomfortable to the other person. :)

[Rayrena]

Ugg, I hate when people recline their seats. Once on a flight the young guy next to me was eating while the lady in front of him had her seat reclined while she sat up to eat! I asked her to raise her seat so he could eat but talk about being inconsiderate of others.

I knew you had to be quite tall if we weigh almost the same and your such a skinny minny :) You've got 5 inches on me.

Hope you guys have a great trip and some of your rustic cliches become reality ;)

[Burgh Baby]

You are much nicer than I am. I spew obscenities when people recline their seats like that, and I'm a full 5 or 6 inches shorter than you. I can't even imagine how miserable you had to be.

At least at the end of your misery was some scenic views and good times! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

[Good & Crazy]

Oh. Oh. oh. That last photo. Oh.

And the pig roaster? The what? For a Whole pig? The what?

And I know it's so early 90s, but could you please share like a whole flickr group of the sunflower field? I would be so happy to sit in a sunflower field. I would.

[Carrie]

Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. It looks like restful, peaceful fun.

[Jocasta]

Reclining seats are a big personal peeve of mine as well.

We were on a long haul flight to Indonesia with the people in front of us having the seat down the whole way - it was painful! We did spend many hours kicking the back of their seats! Didn't help however!

[Ashley]

Your pictures illustrate the country so perfectly! I love the sunflower photos! And I hear ya about the reclining seats in airplanes. Some people have no consideration for others!

[Lisa Milton]

That flight leaves little to be desired. I hope you are all rested up now and enjoying the view.

So lovely.

And the bundt cake for fruit bat looks perfect.

[elisha]

enjoy.

i pack up the kids on thursday for our trek to michigan from southern california. your pictures make me homesick.

how'd it go on the plane with the peanuts? what airline did you take?

[Stacy]

Ah, the heartland. Am a bit homesick for Michigan right now, actually. Looking forward to my own trip in about a month. Enjoy!

[Mr Furious]

Enjoy you time Up North. Mrs F and the kids were just up there while I (sort of) got things settled in the new house.

It is indeed beautiful up there.

[Katie in MA]

Love, love, LOVE all the pictures! Especially the last one of the open road - that just makes me want to go a-travellin'.

[Madame Queen]

That flight = hell, but those sunflowers? Heaven! I hope you're still having a good time!

[BOSSY]

Bossy wishes you the best time ever... and upon your journey home may you have a sleeping child in the seat directly in front of you.

[Tootsie Farklepants]

Pig roasters! Beats digging a hole in the ground.

[Auds]

Lovely photos, especially of the sunflowers (which always make me smile for some reason) and the long country road.

Thanks for sharing some of your hometown with us.