Michigan

I would like to describe the state of Michigan. I have lived in Michigan my entire life, so my knowledge from what I've learned in school and some recent research will play a part in the information below. You can Google for images of each thing, and another good source of information is http://michigan.gov

Fun facts:
State bird - robin
State stone - petosky (I have found these in a couple of areas of the state. When they are polished, they are really pretty)
Capital city - Lansing (I was born in East Lansing, a city just nearby)
State flower - apple blossom

State Industries:
Logging - This was probably our first large industry. The state was once covered with large forests. A great deal of the forests have been cut down to be used for lumber. The logs were transported using the rivers in Michigan. It was a dangerous job to cut the trees down and transport them by river - many people died. Eventually at the beginning of the 20th century the government mandated that trees be replanted - maybe not every tree ever cut down has to have another tree planted to take its place, but it is managed better than it was when the lumber industry started. There are a few areas in the state, like Hartwick Pines, that are "virgin forests" meaning the trees have never been cut down - the forest was untouched by lumbermen.

Automobiles - this was one of the biggest industries in the state for probably most (if not all) of the 20th century. Unfortunately, this industry has not been as fruitful in the past few years as it had once been. Many jobs in this industry has been lost. I believe it is because less expensive imported vehicles have become successful sellers, and at one time employees of the auto industry were paid more than most industries, so it became too costly to make automobiles as efficiently as they used to. However it is still an important part of Michigan's industries.

Tourism - Michigan is a huge tourist state. We have two peninsulas connected by an impressive suspension bridge. The Upper Peninsula has old copper mines, lighthouses, casinos, hunting and historic landmarks. The lower peninsula has warmer beaches, lighthouses, amusement parks, casinos and state forests. People come from out of state (like maybe from neighboring states to a summer house or cabin) or people travel within the state. We are also connected by a bridge or tunnel to Canada, so we see some license plates from Canada every once in awhile.

Filmmaking - this is a new industry to Michigan. There has been campaigning across the state to encourage directors and film producers to film movies in Michigan. In fact, the city in which I live has an organization that advocates local film production and contacts film makers to ask if they are interested in filming in our area. The thought is that when movies are filmed in your area, your area will draw a lot of attention as people would like to watch the film be produced or just visit a place that had been in their favorite movie. Not to mention the actors, actresses, directions and so forth would patron the local restaurants, laundromats, gas stations, etc. We haven't had any movies filmed in my area yet that I know of, but Gran Tarino (a movie starring Clint Eastwood) was filmed in the state of Michigan. State legislation has been passed to offer incentives to filmmakers as well to make it more attractive for them to film in Michigan, such as tax credits.

Crops and animals - some of the major crops grown in Michigan include soybeans, sugar beets, corn and apples. Cherries are also grown in some parts of the state. Many areas have wild berries like raspberries and blueberries. There are also many vineyards that grow grapes and other crops to make wine. Driving through the state you can see many cow farms and chicken farms.

Snow Day 2011

On Wednesday, I could not get to work. Neither could about 95% of all employees, so they closed down work for the day because it was unsafe for people to be on the roads. We got about 8" of snowfall overnight Tuesday, but the wind blow the snow into huge drifts. Some people's backyards had over 2 feet of snow drifts!

This is a picture of the front of our apartment, and you can see the snow piled on top of the air conditioner and the light.

One person from my area is actually missing because of the snowstorm. His truck broke down and he tried walking to a house for help and no one has seen him since. I am praying that he is found as it was bitterly cold Wednesday.

It has become warmer these past few days - by warmer I mean around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Yesterday it was sunny - it was so nice to finally see the sun! Although I love winter for the variety and beauty that it brings, I am becoming a little lonesome for the spring and summer days.