technically i've always lived midwest although like argue that home state michigan north however moved true midwest place local meteorologist refers east-central illinois exact doesn't more cornfield than this halfway normal actually where friend dorie lives you're starting house driving west about miles into cornfields couple grain elevators small racetrack restaurant called restaurant that's exit farmer city keep driving another miles you'll normal illinois that have particular reason ever there which point this blog really being halfway normal somewhere vicinity i've discovered just about right place least it's place where i've found myself balance life love it's place where life become entwined with lives people from over country world people many skin colors backgrounds it's place where i've become family with husband's ex-wife partner it's place where i've found christian community that thrives around dining room table well church sunday mornings it's where daughters have experienced their first passover hanukah celebrations just stone's throw away from grain elevator place that couldn't less jewish each life here this small part midwest presents most surprising combination exactly what might expect expect other words have stories tell 