A short, belated postscript to some earlier blogs.
You know the whole Midwestern discussion I’ve been going on about? Where I talked about Hoosier Hospitality and being a Midwestern Blogger (and how I wish I were a little more urban)?
During this series, I referenced a book that described how sensible a midwestern woman was: sensible as a wool hat. Seems like the wool hat has popped up several times since its initial blog appearance (and the original book from which the quotation came wasn’t even about the Midwest or wool hats or cornbread–it’s about how a rescued horse changed its owner). The wool hat was even mentioned in the title of Mom in Action’s post about this whole thing.
I have three small notes about all of this:
1) I’ve debated about the capitalization of Midwestern. Am I a Midwestern blogger, or a midwestern blogger? I haven’t done enough research to decide. I’ve misplaced my AP Stylebook for the moment. Dictionary.com says it’s either.
2) The Big Irony: I’m allergic to wool. After all that talk about sensible midwesterners and wool hats, I can’t have it next to my skin. Wool is certainly warm, which makes it a most sensible fabric to use in making hats. And I’m incredibly cold all winter long, so I could certainly benefit from lots of wool; but I can’t wear it. Hives. Good thing the discussion is all figurative.
3) Scott Russell Sanders wrote a children’s book called, interestingly enough, Warm as Wool. I love it. The Boy loves it. It’s a great historical picture book about pioneers in the Midwest (or is it the midwest?), and how cold they were during winter. The resourceful Betsy Ward saves money to buy a small flock of sheep in order to spin wool and make warm clothes for her family (it’s a little sad at one point because it’s realistic–she loses a couple of sheep–but it ends optimistic and toasty warm). Well, I discovered that it has been re-released and no longer costs over $100 to purchase used. It’s available here for a modest $18. Even though I can’t be warm as wool myself, the story is precious.
I’m sure glad it’s finally spring here in the midwest Midwest Mid-west Middle West these parts.
No hats necessary–unless it’s a cap or wide-brimmed hat for the sun. I still brew hot tea for my guests, but soon I’ll offer lemonade or iced tea. Your choice.
With cornbread, of course.
4 comments
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March 13, 2007 at 9:47 am
Pattie
Well, my AP style book is from 1996 so it may be outdated, but it confirms my personal belief and practice. In other words, you are a Midwestern blogger. When we’re speaking specifically of a region of the country, it needs to be capitalized. The AP agrees with me (ha ha!)
The references is on pages 129 and 62.
March 13, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Mike
I should check out Warm as Wool. I’m always in the lookout for great books for my kids.
Have a great Tuesday (and Wednesday, too!)
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
March 13, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Toni
Yep, we borrowed Warm As Wool from the library about 4 months ago. The kids loved it.
Blessings,
~Toni~
p.s. didn’t know anything about the $100 price tag over its head.
March 13, 2007 at 7:23 pm
annkroeker
Pattie: I’m glad you’re more organized than I am and know where your AP Stylebook is–thanks for doing the research! I knew that Midwest was capitalized, but I wasn’t sure what to do when it became an adjective.
Toni: Isn’t that price something? It was out of print, but that doesn’t automatically run the price up on a book. I thought I’d pick up a copy for fun, but I didn’t love it *that* much!