Some days, when the rich summer heat hemmed the roads with black-eyed susans, Michigan lilies and wild ginger, I suspected adjacent Ohio let out a low whistle at Michigan's beauty. I read, in fact, that John Steinbeck had once said Michigan was as handsome as a well-made woman. "It seemed to me that the earth was generous and outgoing here in the heartland, and, perhaps it's people took a cue from it."

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