November 10, 2007
(Quick! What's the '80s song/comedian reference??)
Okay, the fam and I are off to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for my grandmother's funeral. For those non-Michiganders out there, here's a bit of orientation about the culture of northern Michigan:
When you're in Michigan, you use your right hand as a map, and then your left hand as the Upper Peninsula–or, U.P. ("Yoo-Pee"). Or, if you're really feelin' it: Da Yoop.
As you probably know, the Mackinac Bridge connects the Lower Peninsula (the "mitten") of Michigan–where I live–to the U.P. The Yoopers call us Lower Peninsula people "trolls"–'cause we live under the bridge.
Heh.
Da Yoop is known for pasties, copper, deer hunting, and a bar on every street corner–and then some. When you're in Da Yoop, you add "eh!" to the end of every sentence, such as "Let's go to the bar, eh!" or "Get yer hands off my deer rifle, eh!" or "Got enough snow on your truck, eh?"
My grandparents moved to the UP the year I was born, so we always had a long-distance (9-10 hours worth) relationship. Every summer we made the trip up, and maybe once or twice for Thanksgiving or Christmas. (Driving in the UP in the winter is Not Fun.)
Well, that's it. Wish us a safe, quick journey. The blog might be a little quiet unless Jackie Kessler, who has a NEW BOOK out, sends me a guest blog post. Even if she doesn't, you really need to check out her Jezebel books….Romantic Times gave The Road to Hell 4.5 stars and a Top Pick–which is better than a gold star.
Plus, if you buy Jackie's book by today (oops, sorry for the short notice), you have a chance to win a pretty red iPod nano. I don't know about you, but I think it's wayyy sweeter than a black one.
Since I think I'm the only person in the world without an iPod.
But that, my friends, is a blog post for another day.
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
November 11th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Say hey to Bob & Doug Mackenzie for me! *hugs* on your reason for heading up north, though. Have a safe trip!
November 11th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Oh - Tori beat me to it! Which is the obvious reason the Yoopers add ‘eh’ to every phrase. They’re too close to us Canadians, eh.
I was once a troll myself (until age 6.) My sympathies about your grandmother. I wish you a safe, quick journey.
November 12th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Hope you have a safe trip. I won’t say a “good” one since you are going to a funeral but I hope y’all are able to celebrate your grandmother’s life.
Enjoyed the “U.P.” lesson!
You’re not alone — I don’t have an iPod either — or any plans on getting one.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:39 am
You forgot Da Yoopers dere, Colleen. Dey’re da #1 best-selling group dat sings about deer camp.
B-DOUBLE-E-DOUBLE-R-U-N-BEER RUN!
Seriously, though, I hope your trip was very safe and I hope everything went well and was as non-stressful as it could have possibly been.
November 13th, 2007 at 8:00 am
Eek! I will, I will, I PROMISE!
**Jackie dashes off to write a blog post**
November 13th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Didn’t know that Michigan was in Canada…
November 15th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Hmmmm.
I’ve lived in the UP most of my life and not only do I not say “eh” but I don’t know anyone who does.
Just felt I needed to point that out.
Oh, and we’re also known for the Locks, Lake Superior, the Edmund Fitzgerald, and clean, beautiful air. And a little University that won the NCAA National Championship in hockey three times in recent history - 1988, 1992, and 1994 and were prevented from winning another by a Maine team that later had the title taken away for cheating.
But you are right about traveling in the UP in winter. It flat out sucks. Glad you had a safe trip.
cjh
November 16th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Oh, CJ! I do know people who don’t say “eh” in the UP…but I do have members of my family who do!
and you’re right about all of the other things you mentioned…I sluffed off a little on my “education” post ’cause it was getting late.
Thanks for setting the record straight!
November 17th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Awww…
I was kidding. Honest.
From where I’m at, the people saying “eh” aren’t Yoopers, they’re Canadians. But, my mother, stoic olf Finn that she was, said “eh” is also a Finnish thing, so depending on where you’re at, you’ll either hear it a lot or not at all.
Oh, and besides the winter driving, you were also dead right about the bars on every corner.
How do you think we get through the winters??
cjh