Well, somebody down there has a sense of humour and apparently thinks that I do too.

A correspondent in Ireland sent me this, saying that it reminded her of the way I talk about spacers and living in the Big.

It's the words to a song called 'Iowa Stubborn' from a very old musical comedy called 'The Music Man'. Credit where credit is due - (c)1957 M. Willson

It purports to be the way the people of the mythical River City, Iowa think of themselves vis-a-vis newcomers.

Here you go. Make of it what you will. I kind of like it.


Oh, there's nothing halfway
about the Iowa way to treat you
when we treat you
which we may not do at all.

There's an Iowa kind of special
chip-on-the-shoulder attitude
we've never been without
that we recall.

We can be cold as a falling
thermometer in December
if you ask about our weather in July
and we're so by-god stubborn
we can stand touchin' noses
for a week at a time
and never see eye-to-eye.

But what the heck, you're welcome,
join us at the picnic.
You can have your fill
of all the food you bring yourself.
You really ought to give Iowa a try,
provided you are contrary.

We can be cold as a falling
thermometer in December
if you ask about our weather in July
and we're so by-god stubborn
we can stand touchin' noses
for a week at a time
and never see eye-to-eye.

But, we'll give you our shirt
and a back to go with it
if your crops should happen to die.

So what the heck, you're welcome.
Glad to have you with us
even though we may not ever mention it again.
You really ought to give Iowa a try.

Hawkeye, Iowa
DuBuque
Des Moines
Davenport
Marshalltown
Mason City
Keokuk
Ames
Clear Lake

Ought to give Iowa a try.

Nuff said.