This "Blue Girl" has terribly neglected this blog, NOT because I am not interested in politics anymore. The reason is simple...comparing California to Missouri can be a lesson in depression for me. These parts of the U.S. are so different I'm amazed we are int he same country at all. But such things are common in the U.S.

While people in Missouri have no problems with killing "pest animals," Californians seen to want to co-exist with creatures who may make them dinner.

I was lucky enough to have a vacation to my home area; the San Francisco Bay Area. If I'm honest, I have to say I was about 75 miles away but made the drive there just because I love San Francisco so much. It was worth the tired muscles and aggravation with traffic and more than anything, this visit highlighted many differences I have forgotten.

1. The exposure to so many different cultures and languages! Just going to Alcatraz, I heard people speaking Chinese and Spanish. I rarely hear other languages spoken in KC. Also, the guide on Alcatraz asked where everyone was from. The countries mentioned included New Zealand, China, Singapore, Ireland and Australia. People from all around the planet come to my little city.
2. The food choices! I have a severe food allergy and people -really- pay attention to that. Not only are there tons of food choices, most were healthy! I love seafood and to get it so fresh was terrific! I missed that a lot.
3. SO...MUCH...TO...DO!!! In an effort to do as much as possible without causing an involuntary death, I hit several sites. There was more to do than I had energy to do! The America's Cup race was going on also. I didn't attend that but I got to see the New Zealand boat zip by. It was amazing!
4. Weather! Fog calms me and I just like being in such a weather system. Perhaps that's nutty but I really like fog and we rarely have that here. Fog hits the Bay Area pretty much daily.
5. Attitudes! Many people I met in the San Francisco area are very open to various differences in people. The judgment and closed minds I've encountered here; I didn't have that issue there. However, I will acknowledge that growing up there my mindset fits there more than here. It's just a fact.

In the end, I like San Francisco. Even with what many call flaws (and many are...high rents, homeless people, general filth on some streets), the diversity and openness make it a place I will always love. But for now, I'm stuck on the Plains in a "Red State" marveling at the differences.