I make lists. I like to read lists. Evidently many
people do since almost any magazine a person might pick up probably has an
article with a list of something. Either a list of things to get done before
Christmas or a list of items to never forget when leaving for a trip to the
beach, like sunscreen.
The personal lists I make are usually practical, you
might say. Things I need to get done around the house. Things I'm thankful for
or lists of potential gifts for friends and family. But the lists I like to
read are sometimes just interesting and not especially useful.
For instance some time ago I received an email with a
list of these United States and what each is famous for. I cannot vouch for the
accuracy of the list. But diamond lovers and fans of the old Marilyn Monroe
movie, Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend, might find the first one
interesting.
Arkansas – only state with an active diamond mine.
Arizona – only state in the Continental US that does
not follow Daylight Savings Time.
California – state whose economy is so large that if
it were a country it would rank 7th in the entire world. (Aside:
also in about the same condition as some of those countries.)
Connecticut – home of Yale University, where the
Frisbee was invented.
Georgia – State
where Coca-Cola was invented
Iowa – Winnebago campers get their name from
Winnebago County. And also the only state name that begins with two vowels.
Louisiana – has parishes instead of counties because
they were originally Spanish church units.
Maine – so big it covers as many square miles as the
other five New England States combined.
Michigan – home of Gerber, is the baby food capital
of the world.
Missouri – birthplace of the ice cream cone.
(personal aside: Hail to Missouri!)
Montana – a sapphire from Montana is
in the Crown Jewels of England.
That's a dozen,
only thirty-eight to go, despite the confusion of some officials in high
places.
