Minneapolis is the twin of the twin cities, the city that was not the official site of the RNC, and it is my home. My first move to live here was preceded by Madison, WI and Chicago, IL - for me it was bigger than Madison that always felt like a very very small and great city (but not a real city) and most definitely NOT Chicago. It has taken a long period of time for me to truly feel like this city is my home. It wasn't that I had a large list of complaints (I have some!) it was more about what resonated with me, where were those physical sites, the congregation of people, the community "stuff" that l would not leave me with wanting more.
I am glad to say that those I am not at home feelings seldom show up any more, and today when I opened the paper I had another good laugh at my home! The Minneapolis City Council Regulatory Committee had a hearing about keeping BEES in the city! It was front page news! I can just imagine the cast of speakers: the professors, the city farmers, ALL residents of Nicollet Island (it is a real island in the city). The best quote to the committee, "the bee prohibition is a relic of efforts by developing suburbs to shed their agrarian pasts." There were NO no votes by the committee members. Stealth beekeepers will be unbridled, local food can take on greater meaning, and maybe we can get more fruit on our fruit trees!
As I read about the tea-bagging references, jokes, and protests of those who believe President Obama to be a socialist who will take away all their privilege, money and rights continue; well here in Minneapolis we are deconstructing the past and bringing it back. Bring on the bees, yeah for the honey!
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