Hey, Will; If you haven't yet, I'd like to encourage you to read Benjamin Hill's article about the Mississippi Braves & Miss Rankin County, Anna Leah Jolly. It's the "getcha-in-the-feels" story of the day. Ta! William Kiefer
You have this way of writing that feels like receiving important advice from a trusted mentor but who refuses to put his hand on the scales because he wants you to choose for yourself.
Translation: this was fantastic, and moving in a way too. I’ve never visited the midwestern town where I was born and first lived; I’ve never even remotely considered it. This started some engines. Thank you.
Great piece! I've spent 36-1/2 years in suburban Chicago, including 4 years (student) in Lawrence, KS; 6 years in suburban Philadelphia; 10 years in suburban Detroit; 6 years in suburban Toledo (who knew Toledo was big enough for suburbs?); and 6 years in suburban Pittsburgh. Although moving with children seemed traumatic at the time, I think it's endowed them with a sense that they can be comfortable anywhere - they are currently ensconced in Montpelier, VT, exurban Philadelphia, and Boulder, CO.
Speaking of sports films: have you read Noah Gittell's *Baseball: The Movie*? (Seems like something that would interest you!) Here's an interview that Gittell did recently with Noah Berlatsky about the book. https://www.patreon.com/posts/interview-with-103570652
I spent the first 17 years of my life in a small Wisconsin town, then 4 years at college, then 12 years in the Minnesota city where I went to graduate school and had my first teaching job, then ten years in California at my permanent teaching job, so three spans of ten years or more by the time I was 47
Thanks for the Tommy Pham shout-out. I was pleased to see him playing for the White Sox last night against my (and yours) Cardinals. He’s one of those players that you always want on your team. I was rather surprised that it took a team so long to sign him this season, especially after his contributions to the Diamondbacks’ World Series run last year.
I lived in Lubbock for 10 years, Houston 14, San Fransisco Bay Area 18, and Austin 17. Houston is still home to me. Bay Area also feels close to home. Never adapted to Austin, and the less said about Lubbock, the better.
Excellent article! Got me to thinking about my journey. Born in Wichita KS and lived there for my first 34 years, then moved to Little Rock AR for 6 years, Dallas/Fort Worth TX for 3 years, St. Louis MO for 1 year, Washington DC area for 7 1/2 years, then back to Wichita for now what is almost 15 years. Never thought I would leave Wichita, then after we did, never thought we would move back there. Enjoyed all the places we lived, with DFW and DC as the two favorites (for different reasons). As a lifelong Cardinals fan, I thought our move to St. Louis would be our last one, but it turned out to be the shortest. God has a wicked sense of humor. Moved back to Wichita to be closer to family, and have also reconnected with old friends, and other friends who are old. We’ve been blessed beyond our wildest expectations.
Hey, Will; If you haven't yet, I'd like to encourage you to read Benjamin Hill's article about the Mississippi Braves & Miss Rankin County, Anna Leah Jolly. It's the "getcha-in-the-feels" story of the day. Ta! William Kiefer
You have this way of writing that feels like receiving important advice from a trusted mentor but who refuses to put his hand on the scales because he wants you to choose for yourself.
Translation: this was fantastic, and moving in a way too. I’ve never visited the midwestern town where I was born and first lived; I’ve never even remotely considered it. This started some engines. Thank you.
Yeah, you should go! I bet a lot of stuff returns to you.
Great piece! I've spent 36-1/2 years in suburban Chicago, including 4 years (student) in Lawrence, KS; 6 years in suburban Philadelphia; 10 years in suburban Detroit; 6 years in suburban Toledo (who knew Toledo was big enough for suburbs?); and 6 years in suburban Pittsburgh. Although moving with children seemed traumatic at the time, I think it's endowed them with a sense that they can be comfortable anywhere - they are currently ensconced in Montpelier, VT, exurban Philadelphia, and Boulder, CO.
Speaking of sports films: have you read Noah Gittell's *Baseball: The Movie*? (Seems like something that would interest you!) Here's an interview that Gittell did recently with Noah Berlatsky about the book. https://www.patreon.com/posts/interview-with-103570652
I spent the first 17 years of my life in a small Wisconsin town, then 4 years at college, then 12 years in the Minnesota city where I went to graduate school and had my first teaching job, then ten years in California at my permanent teaching job, so three spans of ten years or more by the time I was 47
I feel like we've packed in a lot, and also so little.
Why so little? Bc we haven't put down roots in any single place?
One of my personal hot takes: “Bobby Jean” is a very underrated karaoke song.
Thanks for the Tommy Pham shout-out. I was pleased to see him playing for the White Sox last night against my (and yours) Cardinals. He’s one of those players that you always want on your team. I was rather surprised that it took a team so long to sign him this season, especially after his contributions to the Diamondbacks’ World Series run last year.
I liked it until yesterday!
I love what Thibs has done with the Knicks, but that smile will haunt me all day.
That was him TRYING.
Good read as always. Appreciated the article links today especially.
Lots of good ones this week.
I lived in Lubbock for 10 years, Houston 14, San Fransisco Bay Area 18, and Austin 17. Houston is still home to me. Bay Area also feels close to home. Never adapted to Austin, and the less said about Lubbock, the better.
Excellent article! Got me to thinking about my journey. Born in Wichita KS and lived there for my first 34 years, then moved to Little Rock AR for 6 years, Dallas/Fort Worth TX for 3 years, St. Louis MO for 1 year, Washington DC area for 7 1/2 years, then back to Wichita for now what is almost 15 years. Never thought I would leave Wichita, then after we did, never thought we would move back there. Enjoyed all the places we lived, with DFW and DC as the two favorites (for different reasons). As a lifelong Cardinals fan, I thought our move to St. Louis would be our last one, but it turned out to be the shortest. God has a wicked sense of humor. Moved back to Wichita to be closer to family, and have also reconnected with old friends, and other friends who are old. We’ve been blessed beyond our wildest expectations.