78 Comments
Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

Sounds like we have a lot to learn about each other. It's good that we are starting to take note of what everyone and every type can bring to the table. I wanted her to choose Pete, but I am glad she chose Tim Walz. I like that guy. 😁 Good read. Thank you.

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Thanks, Ramona, for reminding us about the Midwest. I lived in Chicago for almost forty years, before accepting a job, thirty-one years ago, which made me a Delawarean. And, yes, if I stand in my backyard and point myself southeast, Joe and Jill Biden are my neighbors. They live about a mile away as the crow flies. I was sad when the President announced he would not seek reelection but it's now clear to me that, as he always has, President Biden put country before self. That's a solid midwestern characteristic in my book.

I'm enthusiastic about the Harris-Walz ticket and am working as hard as I can to bring the victory home. I think Delaware is a secure win, so I'll focus my efforts in southeastern Pennsylvania (about 5 miles from my home).

Keep up your good work!

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Thank you. You too!

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When my Bostonian mother introduced my Chicagoan father to her extended family, her sister asked with genuine curiosity, "How do you get your water out there?" Granted that was in 1949, but still... LARGEST BODIES OF FRESH WATER ON EARTH.

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Ha! I forgot to add that the NY writer also couldn’t get over WAVES CRASHING. How could that happen on a lake?

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White caps! Surfing!

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I spent my summers in the Keweenaw at my aunt’s and uncle’s camp on Lake Superior. Those storm waves gave me nightmares even many years later, and I still don’t know if I’m remembering them as menacing as they really were or I’ve imagined their height.

I remember them cresting far over my head and when they crashed the earth shook.

Magnificent!

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Yes. Our Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot sang about Gitche Gumee - Lake Superior - meaning “huge lake” to the Ojibwe.

We can’t see the other side either.

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Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

Down state Michigan Native here. I’ve lived in Colorado since my early 20’s, but I consider myself a Michigander first, and forever! I’ve been spreading the good news that is, VERNOR’s & POP, since I moved here in ‘79! I raised my daughter, and now my grandson, that POP is where it’s at🥰

Your writing has grabbed my heart and you have a new devotee in me!

Count on me to Spread the JOY and OPTIMISM, seek and share the TRUTH, and the celebrate each “win” with a VERNOR’s…

And a slice of Bumpy Cake, whenever we can get it! 💫💙🇺🇸💙

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Sanders Bumpy Cake is back! I even found it in the UP, frozen, but it's authentic. Not much of Sanders left. The cakes plus hot fudge sauce. I love the dark chocolate.

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Aug 16Liked by Ramona Grigg

Yes! I had it last month at our family gathering up near TC last month! Purchased it at Northland Foods in Kalkaska…heavenly🥰💫

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I live very near Lake Michigan, and what you’ve written is wonderful, as are these amazing midwestern “great” lakes.

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Thank you. They're not called 'Great' for nothing! Odd that they're so obvious on a map but so unknown to the rest of the country. Yes! They're BIG!

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Throw the Happy Warrior Hubert Humphrey in there, too, Ramona.

Nice write. Really enjoyed it.

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Oh my gosh, YES! How could I forget?

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Still heartbroken he lost that damn race to Nixon!

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A travesty and a tragedy. I think he would have made a great president.

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Yep. He was a helluva guy. A real talker, but a helluva guy!

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Love Michigan...grew up or got older south of there in Ohio with many similar folks, especially good farm people. Great Lakes are called Great because they are and we learned them with the acronym HOMES - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Wonder how many kids today can name all 5 without looking them up? Visited Michigan many times and lived there for a brief 6 years so it holds a special place in my book of memories. l could even say, "Go Blue" but I was an Ohio State fan although we now have another reason to say "Go Blue" all the way through to November 5.

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Hi Ramona!

Kudos, Brava, and Spot on!

Perfect piece 👍🏼❣️🧓🏻

I went to a Charlevoix Area Humane Society fundraiser last week. I stepped up to the bar and asked for a Detroit Mule. Tender said, “What is that?!” So I said told him the ingredients for a Moscow Mule: Vodka, ginger beer and lime 🍋‍🟩 juice. But a Detroit Mule is special-it has Vernors! I’d been making those at home. Maybe I did/didn’t invent it, but it’s a good thing 😉

Was in Petoskey the other day, wandering around the downtown streets with a friend. Thought of you! Hope you’re feeling great these days. You must be, your writing is the tell🥰

PM me!

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Aug 16·edited Aug 16Author

Hey, Kristin, did you see this? Detroit Donkey. They copied you!

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/born-in-detroit-apparel-brand-opens-pop-up-store-in-detroit-airport

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Ah Ramona, I had to laugh. My mid west roots are alive and well. Vernor's ginger ale, pop not soda, couch not sofa. Tim Walz is the epitome of who I thought people were for a very long time - and maybe they still are.

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I'm hoping the Tim Walz types will begin to trend and then grow and grow and grow. I mean, it happened with Trump in the most godawful way. Why not in a good way? 😏

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Born in Fremont, Nebraska. Spent a wonderful childhood in North Platte until my still-unforgiven parents moved us to New Jersey. Tim Walz represents the best of small town, rural America.

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Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

Ramona, when I was a small child in Michigan, my mom called our family doctor and asked for advice about my sore throat. He recommended Vernor’s, heated and sipped, like tea. It really was comforting. Years later, I learned from my Korean sister-in-law that a ginger root tisane is used for sore throats and upset tummies. Vernor’s, unlike lesser brands of ginger ale, is made with real ginger. Some of you have probably heard of Aretha Franklin’s recipe for Christmas ham glazed with Vernor’s.

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Yes! Vernors for a sore throat. That was the thing!

I love hot Vernors in the winter. I also add milk sometimes and it gives it a sublime 'feel'. Takes some of the fizz away, too.

And a Vernors ice cream float, a Boston Cooler... there isn't a bad way to use it. 😏

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Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

The memories you’re bringing back! I’d forgotten all about Vernor’s over vanilla ice cream!

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I bought vanilla ice cream yesterday and my Vernors is in the fridge, so tonight’s the night!

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Vernors with French Vanilla ice cream for a Boston (?) Cooler. *Should be a Detroit Cooler!

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It’s actually named after Boston Boulevard in Detroit, so its origins are Pure Michigan.

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Native Minnesotan here. Born in Minneapolis in the fifties, lived there until moving to my current home, St. Paul, in 1986. Everything you said is true! I just love this state.

I woke up to the sound of helicopters on August 5, in the direction of the governor’s residence, not far from my house. (No, I’m not in a fancy neighborhood. Just saying.) I knew immediately what it meant. Sure enough, when I looked at my phone I saw that Kamala Harris had chosen Tim Walz as her running mate. Pretty exciting!

I called my brother who lives in Utah and gave him the news. He made hotdish and Jell-O for dinner, to celebrate. Minnesotans don’t have a special brand of pop, but we drink Caribou coffee, so I brewed some. Would have been egg coffee (break an egg in the pot, swirl it around to catch the grounds) but that would be going overboard. I can wait until the State Fair.

Thanks for this post! I give it four exclamation points! (Yes, I counted.) 😊👍🇺🇸

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I love that you knew firsthand because of the sound of helicopters. Local boy makes good! 😊❤️💙

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Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

Hi Mary-I’m a native Minnesotan (Eisenhower baby). It’s all so true. I’m flabbergasted by the descriptions of Tim Walz as some wild-eyed, far left, pie-eyed progressive. I’ve always thought of his policies as practical and based on common sense. I’m thrilled that VP Harris chose him as running mate. Oh, and I own and use a Carharrt jacket-very practical.

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Aug 15·edited Aug 20Liked by Ramona Grigg

Hi Ramona,

I, too, am thrilled about Tim Walz being picked. Such a decent, caring, relatable, guy. I could go on and on. This ticket is a breath of fresh air. I'm excited and hopeful again, and it feels really good. Thanks for the post!

I hope you don't mind if I add the link to my article about Tim Walz. https://nancyspoint.substack.com/p/momentum-and-minnesota-nice

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Hope and joy! Feels good!

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Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

Thank you Ramona.

I love our Great Lakes State.

Yes we do have a good administration.

I am in awe of Lakes and Water ways..

I live near Port Huron, and I love I can get to a beach in a 10 minutes drive, from where we live.

Port Huron is an old town, we enjoy walking the Blue Water Bridge pathway along side it. We like walking in the old neighborhoods with gorgeous homes, beautiful landscaping.

Thank you for your writings,and acts, to keep a Democracy.

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Port Huron is one of Michigan’s hidden treasures. You’re probably not as crowded there as we are on the western side. Lucky you!

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Ope?

You have tropes in US English that are as odd as those in Australian English.

Whilst I know few to none of those folk you mention, I did laugh at the language and by crikey I wish you the best in November. With all my heart. I think the world does. Frankly, we're sick of idiots.

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Well, it's not as memorable as 'by crikey' or 'blimey' but it serves its purpose. Thanks for the support! We're going to end this and make them pay this time.

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Aug 15Liked by Ramona Grigg

Wisconsinite here…spent my first 16 years roughly seven blocks from Lake Michigan and basically under the path of flights coming into Milwaukee from Detroit. I’m still trying figure out how WI produced Joe McCarthy, but we had Fighting Bob LaFolIette. have a Tervis cup with the Great Lakes on them and the statement “unsalted and shark free.” Yes, a lake is a body of water where you can’t see the other shore. I use ope freely much to the dismay of my co-workers. Been living in Virginia for the last 15 years and haven’t picked up an accent yet.

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Yes, /Tail-gunner Joe. Another head-scratcher. But Fighting Bob got the job done.

Laughed at no accent yet. A true Midwesterner!

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Aug 16Liked by Ramona Grigg

What is ope?

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Click on the link in the last paragraph of my post. There’s the explanation.

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