The other night at Whole Foods, Andy and I were picking out some vegetables for the week. I was weeding through the sweet corn, trying to find a couple good ears. I kept peeking in the tops and throwing them back. Andy asked me what I was doing and I replied, "finding the good ones". He said that if they didn't have worms then he buys them. I was appalled. How can you be a true Nebraskan without knowing how to pick the perfect ear of corn?! We are the Cornhusker state after all. The perfect ear of corn has both white and light yellow kernels and the full kernels extend to the tip of the corn. None of those empty kernel spaces for this girl. There's also size and shape to take into account. Sweet corn is a big deal in the summer here. The stands of local farmers are starting to pop up and I can't wait to get my hands on some real Nebraska corn.
This got me thinking. What does it mean to be a "true" Nebraskan? I'm not a fan of Cornhusker football, that's for sure. I know that is blasphemy to most Nebraskans, but I just don't. Never have, never will.
A true Nebraskan loves Runza. I could eat Runza every single day of my life. Just thinking about it right now makes me hungry.
Being a vegetarian in Nebraska? Good luck. We have some of the finest beef around. Ever heard of Omaha Steaks? That's my jam right there.
A true Nebraskan knows that the ski lift was invented here. Yes. The ski lift. In flat Nebraska.
I live right outside of an area called Aksarben. Yes, that is Nebraska backwards. We are creative folks.
If you're from Nebraska, driving through 2 feet of snow at 65 miles per hour is not a big deal.
Do you know what detasseling is? If you were from Nebraska, you would have to know that.
In Nebraska, it can easily be 70 degrees one day, and then snow the next. It happened this year. Twice. Related, a Halloween costume must be able to fit over a snow suit or be worn on it's own. You never know what the weather will be like.
Whenever you tell someone you're from Nebraska, they ask you if you live on a farm/have livestock/ride a tractor to work. I live in OMAHA. No I don't live on a farm, I've only been to a farm once. If you count cats as livestock, then yes I have livestock. And I've never ridden a tractor. Ever.
Nebraskans are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. For example, I was looking at iPad cases a few months back. The lady in the aisle with me at Target offered me her opinions of the one that she just bought. It's not uncommon for someone who is not an employee to give you advice on a project while you're in the plumbing aisle at Lowe's either.
So that's Nebraska for you.
36 comments:
This ALMOST convinced me that you don't have actual livestock.
You are sneaky.
Sounds like a lovely place.
Not a CornHusker fan? I'm actually relieved to hear that! I live our flyover states'. We always refer to Iowa as 'the shire' of the U.S. everyone's just so friendly! Great NE pride:)
Krista
Great, Now I want to eat corn and steaks while riding a ski lift in a costume only to come back down and ride a tractor. Thanks for that image.
xx
justyn
Nebraska sounds a lot like NY, although we do not have Runza, and that makes me extremely sad.
We had a blizzard on Halloween last year. Then it didn't snow again until March. Effing NY!
Oh my gosh, Amy's comment so funny...
Funny, you have not convinced me to move there.
Nice try.
I learned so much! Thank you for sharing! I will think of you know when I buy corn. I love your humor. Thanks for this...Maybe I should do a post on being a Californian. I'll link it to this blog post though! Thanks lady!
Once again, I'm learning so much! Although I failed this test miserably, I only have a year under my belt so I'm sure I'll get there. Although I did actually grow up on a farm and have ridden a tractor (though not in Nebraska).
I showed your post to Walker and he responded with laughter and "Yes, very accurate. Runza is the best."
It's totally normal to live in Nebraska and not be a diehard Huskers fan. :) I'm an Iowa fan right here! (where I'm from). I'm just hoping that our neighbors don't egg our house when we fly an Iowa Hawkeyes fan on game days this season!
And I have to say that I have yet to try Runza... Someday I'll make a point to do that!
Loved the post!
My boyfriend is from Nebraska! We were just there like 3 weeks ago to visit his family. New favorites for me: Wheatfields, Cabela's, and Valentino's (in Lincoln, not sure if there is one in Omaha...)!!
I looved this post! I love learning about other parts of the country! You'll have to share what all you do with that corn.
Distinctly M
I love the Midwest! I've lived in California almost 4 years now, but will always be a Missouri girl at heart! There's just something so nice about Midwest people!
Sounds like a great place to live! I've never been to the Midwest, actually I've never been "west" before at all. I need to get out more! ;)
So Shan, I looked up Runza, twice. I want one!
look at you being all Nebraska-prideful :)
One of my college pals is from Lincoln - my lord she blows facebook up with cornhusker updates. haha ;)
I'm pretty dang impressed with the "aksarben" name. Illinois wouldn't be nearly as fun to say backwards!
I didn't put two and two together about the Aksarben name until I was in high school. Not the brightest crayon in the box, am I.
Oh god are they good. There's one right by my house, you should come visit and we will eat ALL THE RUNZAS.
I've visited a lot of places and there's nothing quite like Midwesterners.
Grill it up, slather it with butter, sprinkle a little sea salt, and go to TOWN.
We have all of those in Omaha! Valentino's is sooooo delicious, isn't it?
I became a Notre Dame fan after Andy and I started dating. I will like anything but the Huskers. Even Iowa :)
Have you ever had Runza? We MUST go together next time you guys come back.
As Nebraskans, we treat our transplants the same as natives. Everyone should be able to experience our state motto, "The Good Life"!
My best friend says that with my personality, I belong in California. I think if I could have the best of both worlds, that would be ideal!
You probably don't want to move here. Especially in the summer. It's like living in a rainforest.
It was 85° in February here this year. WTF is that?
That sounds like a wonderful idea. Let's do it.
No no no no Huskers. Despise. We are Notre Dame fans in our house.
It can be a little hot and humid, but it's pretty okay :)
I tried to convince Andy that I needed chickens in the backyard. I was shot down.
Come to the Midwest! We'll treat you nicely and feed you Runza.
I don't know why, but this post made me laugh my ass off! I LOVE your patriotism (is it patriotism if you're talking about a state instead of the whole country? Maybe statriotism?) and I'm not gonna lie: it's starting to make we wonder what it means to be a true "Ontarian" ... maybe I smell a buddy-post in my future? Truly inspiring, dude, and very funny :)
Glad you enjoyed it! Being a Nebraskan can be hard work. You should definitely do an Ontarian post!
Come to the Midwest! We'll treat you nicely and feed you Runza.
Yah another Nebraska blogger! I love finding them! SO happy I found yoU!
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