Vivian can express better than I her deep feelings about the city that was to be the longest stay of the trip, Springfield, Missouri, the Queen City of the Ozarks, Handmaiden to the Branson Phenomenon.
I was raised in Springfield, lived there until the age of 17, and had the pleasure of visiting regularly while I still lived in Missouri, until the age of 24 (it sounds so depressing now). And this time back, more than ever, I was shocked, horrified, and most of all filled with disbelief that I really had emerged from this place.
There's not too much to say about Springfield. The weather sucks. It has the world's largest outdoor sporting goods store. The world headquarters for the Assembly of God Church is another landmark. Along with yours truly, John Ashcroft and Jerry Falwell are from here. Not the most sterling characteristics.
(I will admit one very impressive development, though: the formerly derelict downtown has come alive and is full of restaurants and bars that I actually could see myself hanging out at. But don't call the moving van just yet).
We stayed with Mom and with Jack, an ex of my Mom. Consecutively, mind you. Not at the same time. Mainly we tried to stay cool (got lucky with some nicer weather mid-way through the stay) and didn't feel like doing much.
The main excitement was helping my Mom give insulin shots to her cat, which was recently diagnosed with diabetes. If you knew my mother, you'd know that sticking a needle in a cat each morning is not her idea of fun. And her cat, Chopin, is not composing melodic etudes at the piano; he is a demon cat that, even in his infirmity, lashed out venomously at Vivian and me without warning. So it was a fun time for all.
But at least if I ever worry that life is stagnating, that I'm getting nowhere, then I know where to go for a little reminder.
You come a long way, baby.
Miles: 4670
Posted by yozhik at July 25, 2003 10:24 PM