#2. Encourage diversity

This is a photo taken for my niece's Catholic school project. She and her fellow Kindergarteners colored pictures of Stella or Stanley, and sent them off to friends and relatives to take photos with Stella/Stanley and famous local landmarks. Here I am, with Stella behind the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo. Anyone who has ever driven up I-75 has seen this giant, beautiful mosque. It was probably the most famous religious landmark along 75 until Big Butter Jesus was constructed:

You might be interested to learn that Big Butter Jesus is off the same exit as the Hustler store - just in case you need to stop off to accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior and purchase Willy Wanker in Her Chocolate Factory in under 15 minutes.

#1. Celebrate all four seasons

I love the seasons. One of my favorite things about Ohio is that we have four distinct seasons. Sometimes we experience all four seasons in one day, but that just adds to the excitement that is our lovely state. Call me crazy, but I love snow. I seriously don't think I'd enjoy living somewhere it didn't snow. You can also call me a hypocrite, since I'll be spending ten glorious days in the Florida Keys in March, but you can call me that while I'm sunning myself on the beach, and you're digging a path to your mailbox for the 87th time this year.

More than babies, beer, and buckeyes!

Hello, and welcome, random internet strangers (and a few friends!) A blog about Ohio, eh? Well, why not? At times, I have even fallen into the "There's nothing to DO here!" trap. This will be my attempt to show you, fellow Ohioans, and those not from these parts that there are more exciting things to do here than to have babies (however lovely they may be), drink beer (again, lovely, but there's more to life... sometimes...) and buckeyes (and thank god for that. PS. Sorry OSU fans, but from here on out, the only buckeyes I will be referring to are the chocolate/peanut butter confections or the trees. I am still bitter about some certain NCAA happenings...)

SO, if you're FROM Ohio, or just happen to live here, take a little read, and feel all warm and fuzzy inside, thinking about all the fun things you could be doing, instead of dorking around on the internet. ALSO, if I have ever met you in a far away land, and we have had the following conversation:

You: So, you're from the states? Which one?
Me: Ohio.
You: Ohio?? I've been to California! Is that near??
Me: Um...

then maybe you can learn something here....