I am almost insanely excited about visiting…the Midwest.
You don’t read much nostalgia for the endless flat land, the sky that goes on forever like the sea. The straight roads plaiding the countryside in orderly sensibleness broken only occassionally by the river roads which wend like ribbon, parallel to the water. There are few people wistful for driving the endless miles of eastwest, blurring past corn and soy, slowing down only for Amish buggies and the Dar-i-Twist.
Part of me seems to lie dormant when I’m outside Indiana. I run just fine, like a cell phone off the charger, but that extra juice–the jolt of being Home–kicks in once I get back.
I never planned to leave, but life being what it is sometimes the plan gives way to a different story, like turning pages in a book–on the next chapter. Whichever chapter I’m in, though, I hold the heft of those first pages in my hand like a comforting weight which keeps me grounded.
I desperately miss those nice, straight roads sometimes. Just sometimes, though.
“Part of me seems to lie dormant when I’m outside Indiana.”
Beautiful.
what is a Dar-i-Twist? I’m out of the loop…
what is a Dar-i-Twist? I’m out of the loop…
Some places they’re called Dar-i-Twist (“dairy twist), other places they’re Tast-E-Freez. It’s an ice cream/hot dog/hamburger stand.
John Mellencamp–another Hoosier–calls it a Tast E Freez in “Jack and Diane”
“Part of me seems to lie dormant when I’m outside Indiana.”
Beautiful.
Thanks. Although when I read your comment I then had to go back and reread what I wrote, because I honestly didn’t remember writing that sentence. I guess I write better when I’m not paying attention.
oh, that’s a Dairy Queen where I’m from (MS)
I totally get what you’re saying about home — when I cross the state line I can feel “home” — just something about it – being on the same soil as the 5 generations that came before me. I guess I can feel their ghosts or something…
“Part of me seems to lie dormant when I’m outside Indiana. I run just fine, like a cell phone off the charger, but that extra juice–the jolt of being Home–kicks in once I get back.
I never planned to leave, but life being what it is sometimes the plan gives way to a different story, like turning pages in a book–on the next chapter. Whichever chapter I’m in, though, I hold the heft of those first pages in my hand like a comforting weight which keeps me grounded.”
I think you’re reading my mind, but my home is quite a bit hillier than Indiana. Wonderful writing.
I love that last line. I’m enjoying the Midwest this week, too.