Spend a little time in Pennsyltuckie.  I came away convinced that the 
Midwest starts on the western slope of the Allegheny.  I'm frequently 
chastised for such an unorthodox view, but I observe something in 
attitude that changes, and climate too.  Its subtle, but Pittsburg is 
much more like a Midwest City than it is like an Eastern City.  Maybe 
we need something to express the region once called the Rust Belt, but 
less negative.  Like "Better than Expected".

-jc

On May 21, 2004, at 1:15 AM, [log in to unmask] wrote:

> Actually I'm in Ohio now. I'm officially (gulp) a midwesterner now. 
> Although Ohio somehow still falls through the cracks-- midwesterners 
> don't seem to consider Ohio really "midwest." I like one of my 
> colleagues epithets: the Heartland.
>  
> Although Columbus' official city slogan is "a great place to live, 
> work, and raise a family" I find that rather cumbersome. I've coined a 
> more descriptive one: "Columbus: Better Than Expected"
>  
> No termites in my apartment, but hey, my kitchen/bathroom addition is 
> falling off its foundation. Maybe I would trade for termites.
>  
> Ah, but its a crappy kitchen anyway.
>  
> -Heidi