ASHLAND —
While talking about my cousin Bob, I mentioned he had retired to Detroit.
“Detroit!” my conversation partner exclaimed. “Who retires to Detroit?”
That was the first such response but not the last I received when I said my cousin retired to Detroit.
I also heard “Why the ‘H’ ‘E’ double toothpicks would somebody retire to Detroit?” and “Who the ‘H’ ‘E’ double toothpicks would retire to Detroit?”
And there were jokes. Jokes about snow and jokes about drug trafficking.
Not that I’m going to defend Detroit, but it is the home of Motown music, which is second only to British rock and roll from the 1970s.
I’m also aware that in Holland, Mich., there is a tulip festival in spring. I don’t know how far Holland is from Detroit, but I’m itching to go.
I don’t know much else about the town, other than many people who are arrested in Huntington are from Detroit, so I looked up the website and learned the city has a symphony orchestra, an opera house, an arts institute, several museums and theaters, festivals and professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey teams.
I also learned Holland is on the opposite side of the state from Detroit, so when I visit cousin Bob, we can make a day of it and drive through Ann Arbor, Battle Creek and Ypsilanti to get there and come back via Lansing, just to do some sightseeing.
Not only is Detroit home to my cousin, it’s the hometown of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Bob Seger, Eminem, the Winans and Kid Rock.
No, cousin Bob didn’t choose Detroit because of the plentiful drugs or the frigid weather. Most of his branch of the family lives in the area and he wants to make up for lost time with them.
You can always pick on another state, but that doesn’t mean it’s a terrible place with no redeeming qualities. Sometimes you just have to educate yourself.
However, just to save time and energy, from now on, I’m just going to say my cousin is from Michigan.
LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.
Columns
03/10/2013 — Lee Ward: Not sure Detroit is even a nice place to visit
- Columns
-
-
Many changes coming soon for couponers
Couponing is experiencing some pretty heavy changes. CVS has new rules.
-
RONNIE ELLIS: Fallout from scandals remains to be seen
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
-
Mark Maynard: It's time for another 14-name salute
Yesterday was one of those roll-down-the-windows-and-let-the-cool-air-blow-through-the car days.
-
Lee Ward: Hot dogs with local variations; wild-rice competition: 5/14/13
I don’t know if the way I like hot dogs is Southern, but I know everyone has his or her own way of piling on the toppings, or avoiding toppings.
-
Still sifting and sorting
We’re still gathered in family unity sorting through all the things my mother accumulated in her life.
-
Mark Maynard: 5K participants weren't running on empty: 5/13/13
Verity Middle School physical education teacher Amy Prichard took on the organization of the inaugural Ashland Independent School District 5K on Saturday.
-
Tim Preston: Recruiting help; Shogun reviewed; burgers; and Diet Ale-8-One: 5/12/13
Despite my own impression I’ve too often asked for the input of those who read this column every Sunday, it is apparent I need to repeat the request at the top of the tale this time around.
-
05/12/2013 — Lee Ward: Collins brave for coming out; fianceé needs courage, too
Nothing famous people do shocks me, so when Jason Collins announced he is gay, I wasn’t too surprised.
-
Learning to love thrift shops and frugal tips to try
Are new clothes any less used than thrift-store items?
-
RONNIE ELLIS: Elections have consequences
Weekly state political column from Ronnie Ellis, a CNHI correspondent in Frankfort.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Many changes coming soon for couponers
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
