Nebraska, Under a Big Red Sky

From the Introduction: I'm from Nebraska. I repeat this phrase several times a week. Usually it's because I've met someone, somewhere, who's curious about the twang in my voice. Most folks just shake their heads in disbelief, especially if they're from the East Coast. I flew over Nebraska once, they say. It was brown and flat. I shut my window shade and slept. If they'll listen, I tell them about the people back home - how they smile and wave, needing no excuse to make conversation with a total stranger; ...