A Little More Geography

While we are doing some geography today let's talk about the Midwest.  This is from the very funny Midwest vs The Rest account.

Having spent considerable time in Wisconsin and Iowa and driven through small-town Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula I can testify to the accuracy of the Midwest Starter Pack.

pic.twitter.com/XX3sOcoCze

— Midwest vs. The Rest (@midwestern_ope) February 1, 2026

 

Culver's, Menards, and Dollar General are indeed the three branches of Midwest government, though one could easily justify Kwik Trip as a fourth.

 

The three branches of Midwest government pic.twitter.com/jDkjPqG6y0

— Midwest vs. The Rest (@midwestern_ope) December 15, 2025

And, finally, the answer is yes.  

Does this mean Iowa is the most Midwest state? pic.twitter.com/nF9X7wBI02

— Midwest vs. The Rest (@midwestern_ope) January 16, 2026

I Miss Florida

Saw some bigger iguanas during our years there. 

 

Meet Jessica Kilgore the South Florida iguana slaying queen!!!! pic.twitter.com/CDNQvsok8O

— Branch Floridian (@JackLinFLL) February 1, 2026

I Like Me

The THC Son and I recently watched I Like Me, the documentary on the life of John Candy.  A funny and poignant reflection on a man who died at such a young age - 43.  Full of commentary by his fellow comedians and actors, Steve Martin, Eugene Levy, Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Mel Brooks among them.  McCauley Caulkin, who was in Uncle Buck with Candy, speaks very perceptively about Candy and Hollywood. Also featured is Catherine O'Hara, whose wonderful eulogy at Candy's funeral is shown.  We watched I Like Me a couple of hours after hearing of O'Hara's passing.

I'd not been aware of Candy's father passing of a heart attack at the age of 35, nor of the crippling anxiety he experienced in the three years before his death in 1994.  Interviews with his wife, son, and daughter explore that side of his life.

Watching the comedy and film clips reminds the viewer of not just how fine a comedian Candy was but how good he could be as a dramatic actor.  The film's title is taken from one of his greatest dramatic scenes in Trains, Planes, and Automobiles.