there's no place like home

I sat next to a Canadian man on an airplane a few years ago who asked where I lived. Kansas City I said, and he asked what Kansas was like. KANSAS?? HOW DARE HE.

Why would he think Kansas City is in Kansas?

I calmly explained that I actually lived in Missouri and the city is right on the state line. Then I got out the Northwest Airlines magazine "Sky" from the seat back pocket to show him where KC is on a map.

Then he showed me where he lives in Canada. Then we ate peanuts.

When I moved to Missouri as an awkward 12 year old, I thought Kansas was stupid. In my 6th grade yearbook I specifically remember one unlearned child wrote "Have fun in Kansas" and I was SO MAD. I'M NOT MOVING TO KANSAS.

What I'm trying to say is that my feelings about Kansas have changed. I don't mind Kansas anymore. I live in Kansas now, and have yet to be eaten by Prairie Shrews. It's not so bad.