Finding Ohio

I found Ohio today. On a map, that is. Not in person.

I got Ohio and Iowa mixed up again. I started reading a book about a man-eating tiger and got sidetracked by curiosity. I read about an exotic animal farm in Ohio where 18 tigers, 17 lions, 8 bears, 3 cougars, 2 wolves, 1 baboon, and a macaque were shot in 2011.  They'd been uncaged before their keeper committed suicide.

(Photo from Wikipedia)

In Ohio (wherever that is.) I was vaguely thinking Iowa, middle-ish, right-ish on the American map, isn't it? Wrong. Not the same place.

For someone who grew up in Winnipeg and near Vancouver, the USA is a mysterious wash of states, once you get beyond South Dakota, whether east or south. On a blank map, I can pick out North and South Carolina (if I don't get confused by Georgia). I can find New York, Maryland, Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, Texas, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and our 30-yr resident state of Washington. (Probably. Maybe. With some luck.)

W and I flew to a conference in Tennessee after living in the USA for 10 years. I was flying across the lower continent for the first time. I remember wondering where Tennessee was and where Atlanta was; we had a short layover there. Nashville and Knoxville? They were a complete revelation on the airplane map.

(Photo from 10 Tips of Architectural Drawing)

As a child, I learned the Canadian provinces and their capitals. Canadian schools didn't teach much more about the USA beyond its long border south of us. We knew American fought each other in a civil war in the last 200 years and still talked abut it. The country had a complicated history of constitutional documents and owning other humans. And Americans were not Canadian, especially when it came to politics and war.

Diversity is good, Canadians are taught. And it's good to know where you come from, no matter where in the world that is. Canada. USA. Asia. Europe. Africa - and beyond. "Treasure your past as information and valuable heritage."

(Photo from Living Big in a Tiny House)

I still feel that way. Most of our adult friends are Americans, and they are as diverse and wonderful as can be.

How are your ancestors and family of origin still shaping the way you think and live today?

Read more:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11

Moravian Prayer: We stretch out our hands, Lord Jesus, seeking the work that will serve and please you. Place that work within our reach and inspire and strengthen us in our labor. In your name, we pray. Amen.