Memorial Day Mural

Freedom Silo ~ Raine Clotfelter
in Monett, Missouri
Birthplace of my friend Mitzi!

. . . I am waiting
for the American Eagle
to really spread its wings
and straighten up and fly right . . .
~ Lawrence Ferlinghetti ~

Thoughts on the 50 United States
~by John Steinbeck
~from Travels With Charley:
In Search of America, 1962

We know, of course, that each of our states is an individual and proud of it. Not content with their names, they take descriptive titles also — the Empire State, the Garden State, the Granite State — titles proudly borne and little given to understatement. But now for the first time I became aware that each state had also its in dividual prose style, made sharply evident in its highway signs. Crossing state lines one is aware of this change of language. The New England states use a terse form of instruction, a tight-lipped, laconic style sheet, wasting no words and few letters. New York State shouts at you the whole time. Do this. Do that. Squeeze left. Squeeze right. Every few feet an imperious command. In Ohio the signs are more benign. They offer friendly advice, and are more like suggestions. Some states use a turgid style which can get you lost with the greatest ease. There are states which tell you what you may expect to find in the way of road conditions ahead, while others let you find out for yourself. Nearly all have abandoned the adverb for the adjective. Drive Slow. Drive Safe. (p 79 - 80)

I wish any two states could get together on a speed limit. Just about the time you get used to fifty miles an hour you cross a state line and it’s sixty-five. I wonder why they can’t settle down and agree. However, in one matter all states agree — each one admits it is the finest of all and announces that fact in huge letters as you cross the state line. Among nearly forty I didn’t see a single state that hadn’t a good word to say for itself. It seemed a little indelicate. It might be better to let visitors find out for themselves. But maybe we wouldn’t if it weren’t drawn to our attention. (p 42)

Formal Mottos & Tourism Slogans
from the States in which I have lived:

Kansas
Ad Astra Per Aspera
(To the Stars through Difficulties)
~There's No Place Like Kansas~

Idaho
Esto Perpetua
(Let it be Perpetual)
~Famous Potatoes~

Missouri
Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto
(The Welfare of the People Shall Be the Supreme Law)
~The Show - Me State~

Arkansas
Regnat Populus
(The People Rule)
~The Natural State~

Indiana
Crossroads of America
~Honest to Goodness Indiana~

Pennsylvania
Virtue, Liberty and Independence
~Pursue your Happiness~

Virginia
Sic Semper Tyrannis
(Thus Always to Tyrants)
"Virginia is for Lovers"!

***************

More insights from
Travels With Charley:

1. Anyplace Away From Here
2. A Kind of Dream Farm

3. On the Road With John Steinbeck