Moving On

I got the call yesterday afternoon: I've officially been offered that job in Michigan, and because B's bosses are kind enough to let him work from home, we'll be moving to Marquette at the end of the summer.  Or sometime this summer or fall.  Whenever (if? please, not "if") we sell the house.

We are infinitely sad, of course, to be leaving Iowa City and the wonderful friends we've made here, our finally repaired adorable little house, and Prairie Lights.  But when I applied to the Workshop in 2000, it was because I hated my lousy dysfunctional office job and decided I wanted to teach.  Now that's a reality, so it's time.

For those of you who don't know where Marquette is: Turn on the Weather Channel.  If it's snowing somewhere in the Lower 48, chances are that's Marquette.  (And no, I am not teaching at Marquette University.  That is in Milwaukee.  Marquette, Mich., is the home of Northern Michigan U.)

Here are some interesting facts about our new town:

1. It is the second-snowiest city in America.

2. It is the fourth-coldest city in America.

3. It has population of 20,000 and is sometimes referred to as the "Queen City of the North."

4. It's major industries are iron ore shipping on Lake Superior, education (moi) and a Level I prison.

5. Despite all this, it is oddly beautiful:

6. The Upper Peninsula is home to moose, black bears, wolves, and enough deer to rearrange the hood of every car in Iowa, so I will be keeping the cats inside.

For the record, no, I will not be taking up snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, or dogsledding, all of which are very popular activities in the Upper Peninsula.  But I will be keeping this blog, and updating on our adventures in a new place.  Join us, won't you?  For the further adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Can't Stay in One Place for Long.

Comments

[churlita]

I will miss you guys, but I bet it will be great to have a job you actually like. I'm not much of a Winter person, so I wish you luck up there.

It looks really beautiful.

[Annie]

Just curious if you have read any of Jim Harrison's novels. His latest, "Returning to Earth"(as are most, I believe) is set in the UP. It sounds like a fascinating and beautiful part of the country. Best of luck to you!

[Cindy]

I've been to the UP a couple time to visit some family friends... and I must say that it is breathtakingly beautiful. I hope you have a smooth transition to your new home.

[TLB]

Thanks, ladies. I am not a fan of winter myself, but se la vie. At least we have a 4WD car.

To answer your question, Annie, yes, I'm a big Jim Harrison fan. I may haunt his town until I can get him to talk to me. Except I would almost certainly make an ass of myself.

[Brendan]

Awww -- you're leaving before I had occasion to visit the IC. Well, maybe I'll pass through the UP someday.

Good luck on the move.

[becky b.]

Congratulations! Now we'll be living in the same state again... though I think it will take me less time driving to see you in Iowa this summer than it will when I visit you in the U.P.!

[Grendel]

Congrats on the job, TLB! That's really great news. I think you'll find, as we are finding, that IC will always stay in your heart and will always feel like home, no matter where you go.

Try to find a teaching conference in Amsterdam, please.

[Brian Hadd]

Intransigent hobbyist at least, fishing should go. Eat trout alone.

[Motel Manager]

I am so sad you guys will be leaving, but I am excited for the opportunity for you to teach there (and to teach not just undergrads, but MFAs as well)!

[TLB]

Thanks everyone. We're very sad to be going--the last six years have been amazing, but yes, I'm excited to teach again too.

[Jane]

Congratulations! Don't worry; I'm sure global warming will take the edge off the climate soon enough.

[NSmay]

Congratulations! That's huge... and well deserved.

[Adorable Girlfriend]

Congrats! That's so exciting. AG is headed to Ann Arbor next weekend and loves MI. I hope you will too.