Scenes from the Center of the Universe

On my trip home this weekend it came to my attention that I may have offended some of my readers with my last post. This came to my attention because I found out that my mother told all of her friends, including our family physician who has known me since I was 5 years old and who is also a family friend to go ahead and have a look-see at her zany daughter's writing. These friends, who all live, work, and raise families in the greater Wichita area were less than amused with my harsh criticism of their town. I stand by my statements, but in deference to them and the respect I have for them, I will now give you a top ten list of the best things about Wichita, KS: (oh, and obviously the thing about the Pope and the gateway to Hell was an urban legend- it was however told to me by a practicing and devout Catholic, so you never know- I googled it, and apparently the exact gateway to hell was in a church in Stull, KS, which has since been torn down-good plan)
Top Ten Things I Like About Wichita Kansas (in no particular order):

1. The cost of living is ridiculously low, so everything there is cheaper.
2. Despite a population of close to 500,000, much like Cheers, everyone seems to know my name.
3. My parents (and their pool membership, central AC, and well stocked fridge) live there.
4. It is temperate most of the year, never too hot, never too cold.
5. It's the kind of place where your family doctor not only agrees to see you on a saturday just to reassure you that the lump in your neck is not a) cancer b) a second head or c) a vestigal twin trying to escape, but she does so by coming out to breakfast with you and the parents and brings along a beautiful vase full of sunset roses for you birthday!
6. Greasy, greasy mexican food.
7. Most per capita restaurants of any city in the United States (I kid you not).
8. Not everyone is blond, for god's sake (like in MN).
9. People still talk about city politics like it matters.
10. I'm still working on number 10!