Isn’t it a wonder when you discover new places in a state you’ve lived in almost your whole life? Every now and then somebody mentions a city in Michigan that I’ve never heard of, which seems impossible because I’ve lived here nearly forever. I immediately assume it’s in the “thumb” of Michigan, which remains a mystery to me. 

I had the same sense of wonder when we were in Minnesota. I lived right outside the Twin Cities after college, but when I go back I always discover places I’ve never been! Take the Minneapolis Institute of Art, for instance. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was sort of thinking it would be something tiny and “meh.” Wrong! Look at this place:

Isn’t she regal?

It was jam-packed with art from Gaugin, Van Gogh, Degas, El Greco, Manet, Seurat! Not to mention artists I wasn’t familiar with before, but that knocked me on my hind end! (I see you, Jeffrey Gibson.) It was heavenly! My girls loved it too. Every time we go to an art museum I give them scavenger hunts, because everything is more fun with a scavenger hunt. “Why yes, I would like to search high and low for a portrait featuring a person with a mustache!”

“Frank” by Chuck Close.  The 7 year old loved it so much. It was massive and made her feel like a little mouse, as demonstrated here.

All this to say, if you’re in the Twin Cities, go to the MIA. And while you’re doing that, I’ll be in the thumb, exploring a little more of my home state.