Messages From The Heartland

[Andrew]

I don't know if your friend likes outdoorsy stuff, but Indiana really does have some pretty areas if there's time for a drive.  The dunes of Lake Michigan and those rolling wooded hills of Brown County with the covered bridges would both create some nice photo opportunities.  True, it's late in the season, but there may still be some decent sunny days with weather in the sixties (we have one of those coming up Tuesday here). 

I didn't take that picture above, it's from the Indiana Dunes State Park website.  Which park I just found out is surrounded by the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  I have to get back there, I enjoyed it so much when I lived there.

Even if it's cold out...that can be a good reason to rush in and get under the comforter!  A tour of cold and warm spots in Indiana?...

[David In Indy]

David,

Indianapolis is definitely on my list of cities to see.  I am into college basketball big time and would love to see an Indiana-Kentucky game in the Hoosier Dome.  Indianapolis couldn't possibly be as boring as Cincinnati or Louisville so I will be there someday.  What I really want to see is Chicago.  The metropolis of the great MidWest and I have never been there.  I have been in Washington D.C., Atlanta, GA, Miami, FL and even Phoenix, Arizona but not Chicago. Since I consider myself a part of the heartland I think I have an obligation to get to Chicago some day.  So both Indy and Chicago are on my must see list.

It would be wonderful if you could come and visit Indianapolis sometime Bucky! 

[David In Indy]

I don't know if your friend likes outdoorsy stuff, but Indiana really does have some pretty areas if there's time for a drive.  The dunes of Lake Michigan and those rolling wooded hills of Brown County with the covered bridges would both create some nice photo opportunities.  True, it's late in the season, but there may still be some decent sunny days with weather in the sixties (we have one of those coming up Tuesday here). 

I didn't take that picture above, it's from the Indiana Dunes State Park website.  Which park I just found out is surrounded by the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  I have to get back there, I enjoyed it so much when I lived there.

Even if it's cold out...that can be a good reason to rush in and get under the comforter!  A tour of cold and warm spots in Indiana?...

Thanks for the suggestions Andrew as well as the great picture!

Alex mentioned he would like to see Chicago. I am going to stay up tonight and try to get as much work done as possible so I can free up a few days towards the middle or the end of the week. If I manage to get enough files from work processed and uploaded, I will be able to go. He would also like to see Holland Michigan, which is fine with me since I'm Dutch!

As far as Indiana, I was planning on taking him to Eiteljorg and the Children's Museum, as well as I.U. in Bloomington (He loves the movie "Breaking Away"), and we will probably stop off at the Dunes on our way to Holland from Chicago. Alex is a big James Dean fan. I will probably take him up to Marion, Indiana so he can visit James Dean's grave (fortunately Marion is very close to here).

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

[David In Indy]

Current Weather in Indianapolis: Partly Cloudy   Temp: 51 (11 C)

Well, it's been a really good day you all. 

Alex made it to Indianapolis. His flight from London to Boston was very turbulent. Apparently they were tossed around a bit while flying over the Atlantic. I have experienced such turbulance over the Atlantic too, so I have a pretty good idea of what he went through today. Poor baby. 

He started falling asleep on my living room couch around 7.00 or 8.00 and so I sent him off to bed. He is sleeping soundly right now. It's amazing. I haven't seen Alex for several years, and he hasn't changed at all. He said the same thing about me. 

His mom knitted me a BEAUTIFUL scarf and I will be sure to use it this winter. His mother is very sweet. I have never met her in person, but I have spoken with her many times over the phone. His parents own a small hotel in northern England. Alex has been living in London for the past few years.

In other news...

I caught and released another mouse this morning. He must have been caught in the live mouse trap sometime last night. I took him to the swamp and released him this morning on my way to the airport.

Also....

Indianapolis Colts 34  Denver Broncos 31

That was a scary game ya'll. I didn't think we were going to win this one, but the Colts pulled through. We are now 7-0.

Denver.... you put up a good fight. I almost had to take a nerve pill.

Next weeks game against New England is going to be really tough. New England is an excellent team. We may end up losing that one. I hope not.

[Andrew]

Alex mentioned he would like to see Chicago. I am going to stay up tonight and try to get as much work done as possible so I can free up a few days towards the middle or the end of the week. If I manage to get enough files from work processed and uploaded, I will be able to go. He would also like to see Holland Michigan, which is fine with me since I'm Dutch!

You have the best kind of guest - the kind who knows just what he would like to do to have a great vacation.  And he has the best kind of host - the kind who will go out of his way to make the vacation happen just that way!

[David In Indy]

Alex mentioned he would like to see Chicago. I am going to stay up tonight and try to get as much work done as possible so I can free up a few days towards the middle or the end of the week. If I manage to get enough files from work processed and uploaded, I will be able to go. He would also like to see Holland Michigan, which is fine with me since I'm Dutch!

You have the best kind of guest - the kind who knows just what he would like to do to have a great vacation.  And he has the best kind of host - the kind who will go out of his way to make the vacation happen just that way!

Thanks Andrew! You are a total sweetheart! 

I've been racking my brains and driving myself crazy trying to figure out things to do during Alex' visit. But everything seemed to fall together automatically. I was amazed at how much Alex already knew of Indiana. He knows a lot about this little state. He also wants to visit Casino Aztar (the casino riverboat) down in Evansville, Indiana. I'll take him there if he wants to go, but I'll leave most of my credit cards at home. I don't trust myself at the blackjack table. 

[Lynne]

Also....

Indianapolis Colts 34  Denver Broncos 31

Hey David,

I'm very glad your friend Alex arrived safely  .  I hope y'all have a wonderful time!

About this football business - I am always so conflicted.  I have no loyalty to the Titans - they moved to TN while I was in MA busy being a New England fan...before that, pro football wasn't on our radar in TN...it was SEC, i.e. University of Tennessee, all the way.  So you see where my problem is...Peyton Manning rules, obviously.  But there's that little part of me that thinks I need to root for the Pats ... What to do...What to do...

Hmmm..

[David In Indy]

Hey David,

I'm very glad your friend Alex arrived safely  .  I hope y'all have a wonderful time!

About this football business - I am always so conflicted.  I have no loyalty to the Titans - they moved to TN while I was in MA busy being a New England fan...before that, pro football wasn't on our radar in TN...it was SEC, i.e. University of Tennessee, all the way.  So you see where my problem is...Peyton Manning rules, obviously.  But there's that little part of me that thinks I need to root for the Pats ... What to do...What to do...

Hmmm..

God love ya Lynne! You're so cute!

You're right. Peyton Manning rules!

Play it safe and root for the Colts!

Please??

[David In Indy]

Who couldn't love Peyton Manning?

What a baby face!

He has a very cute fanny too! As soon as I find a picture of it, I'll post it. 

Peyton has done SO MUCH for our city... he has helped our inner city yourth, raised funds for all kinds of various charity projects here in Indianapolis, and I have heard he is an advocate for gay rights too. I have HEARD this... it has not been confirmed. Somehow though, I believe it. He is a really great guy.

Oh  Oh! 

My British friend Alex just caught me watching an old rerun of Dick Cavett from 1973 where he interviewed Katharine Hepburn. They are reairing this interview on cable.

God I LOVE Katharine Hepburn. She was a GODESS!! I have seen every movie she was in.

Alex is awake now..... gotta go ya'll!! 

Let's see what happens! 

[injest]

huh! I guess I see where WE rate....Alex shows up and we get dumped!

I guess we won't be seeing much of David THIS week...although it would seem Alex will!!