I was in Ann Arbor this weekend. It was the first time in years that I’ve seen more than a few inches of the snow on the ground, and a sparkling feather kind of snow instead of the Texas turds I’m used to. The last time I remember snow anything like this was during winters at my grandparents’ place in Oklahoma, some fifteen years ago at least. I’ve been writing about snow recently, so it was good to experience it in my mittens.
I was looking out at the snow and thinking about the word hinterland when I learned that my little hometown made the national news for the first time in a long time, maybe since before I ever looked at snow. I called my parents and friends. My heart hurts for everyone who had to be there and see that and be involved. I think of Tucsonans as a generally kind and innocent people. I hope Giffords gets to keep everything that man tried to take.
A sad stain on what’s otherwise been a nice trip. It’s good to see old friends and make new ones. I got to spend quality time with Elizabeth Ellen and Aaron Burch in Ann Arbor, reading at EE’s excellent series there and putting up a good fight at poker later (Jess Walter cleaned up). Mary Hamilton and Lindsay Hunter and I drove through a snowstorm and went directly to Hoosier Momma, where I ordered the pork-apple-sage and finished it before we got to Lindsay’s. It was real nice to curl up on the couch and watch junk TV and eat orange wedges. Lindsay and her husband Ben have this calming interaction with one another that I can’t even really talk about without looking into middle distance. Well so, I’m reading at Quickies on Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing folks.
and then home
