It's Just the State I'm in

Below are some quotes from a Faceboook article I read, which I thought to be entertaining. Also I have written some of my own ideas on the same subject. So here are some fun facts, some funny facts and some facts that are just far fetched. 

Starting with how Minnesota got its start. What may or may not be true is that it was originally settled by a tribe of Norwegians or else ancient Vikings, which were also called Norseman.  I haven't decided yet who I believe. 

I also want you to know that Minnesota language does not consist of phrases like "Uffda, You betcha and Ya Sure." Unless you manage to find the town up north where Big Foot lives; I think they all talk like that in that area. 

Minnesota got it's name from the Sioux Indian word "mah-nee-soo-tah," They say its true meaning is, "No, really... They eat fish soaked in lye."

The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota covers 9.5 million square feet and has enough space to hold 185,000 teenagers yapping away on cell phones.

Our Twin Cities is Minneapolis and St.Paul. It is our version of "A Tale of Two Cities." They are divided by the Mississippi River and are the reason our professional baseball team is called the Minnesota Twins. 

Did you know that some consider the mosquito our state bird? The farther north you go, the bigger they get. I have heard of legendary stories telling about how small animals have been carried away by these birdlike insects.  At least that's what Paul Bunyan told me once.

Half of Minnesota is the same lay of the land as anywhere else in the US flatlands. But when you get to the northern half of the state, you will see the most beautiful nature and is the Grand North Woods and lakes upon lakes, mean resorts upon resorts. It is truly like living in a different country, from our southern half of the state. It is majestic and breathtaking!

I was given a little information that I once knew, but I forgot about. Lana Marie, another FanStory Minnesota member reminded me that Lonnie Anderson was from St Paul. But she truly sweetened the pot when she told me that her stepdad dated her in high school. 

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" was set in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was Mary's first real acting job since leaving the "Dick van Dyke Show." The show about a single woman's struggle to find happiness in the big city was originally titled "Life Without Dick," but that was changed for some reason. Hmmm?? 

Cartoonist Charles M. Shultz was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and grew up in St. Paul. He was the only artist to accurately depict the perfectly circular heads of Minnesota natives.

The Hormel Company of Austin , Minnesota produces 6 million cans of Spam a year. Even though no one actually eats it. Spam is a prized food in Japan & Hawaii--Spam sushi!!

As I mentioned a few days ago, "Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men" were filmed in a town called, Wabasha, in Central Minnesota.

Minnesota license plates are blue & white and contain the phrase "Blizzards on the 4th of July - you get used to it."

Judy Garland grew up in Minnesota, so when she clicked her ruby red slippers and said, "There's no place like home," maybe she was really speaking of Grand Rapids, MN. Or maybe not! Her slippers were just auctioned off for $32.5 million dollars. 

Bob Dylan's home place is in beautiful Duluth, MN.

Prince was so dedicated to his home called Paisley Park in the town of Chanhassen, Mn that when Oprah interviewed him and asked him why he stayed where it is so cold, his answer was, "Because the cold helps keep the bad people out."

Frank C. Mars, founder of the Mars Candy Co. was born in Newport, Minnesota . His 3 Musketeers candy bar originally contained three bars in one wrapper, each filled with a different flavor of nougat -chocolate, Spam and lutefisk.  

Downtown Minneapolis has an enclosed skyway system covering 52 blocks, allowing people to live, work, eat, and sleep without ever going outside. That must be for all of those with allergies to fresh air. 

Tonka trucks continue to be manufactured in Minnetonka, Minnesota, despite the thousands of GI Joe dolls killed by them annually in rollover accidents. No airbags, no seat belts. These things are deathtraps, I tell ya!

Author Laura Ingalls Wilder was raised at Walnut Grove, Minnesota, and was famous for writing the "Little House" series of books, as well as inventing the "Spam diet" which consists of looking at a plate of Spam until you lose your appetite. Much like the "lutefisk diet" we do admit to this word, ishta!!

  The snowmobile was invented in Roseau, Minnesota so as to allow families a means of attending 4th of July picnics.

Minnesotans are almost indistinguishable from Wisconsinites. The only way to tell them apart is the color of the jersey they wear. We have a fun rivalry with them called the border battle. Wisconsin people always wear green and Minnesota people wear purple.  I know of one who came from Wisconsin to Minnesota. He took his green one off and put on a #4 purple jersey.  And we had a couple of great years!

A fun fact for us is that TJ Hockinson, # 87 of the Vikings, is the first cousin of our best friends, Patty and Dale. We haven't had the chance to meet him yet, but it will be soon. Also they have a chance to go all the way with a 10-2 season!  

Go Vikings!

I do have to admit that by ten below I might let it slip and say, "Uffda, it's cold!"