I was making our favorite breakfast this morning, bacon and egg sandwiches on toasted english muffins washed down with fruit smoothies, when I mentioned to Jo that bacon smelled like home. She smiled said something about "how Iowan" I was and puttered about, eagerly awaiting her sandwich and coffee, eyes still bleary from staying up half the night working on end of semester projects.

I know that bacon is all hip and cool these days, but as an Iowan, I claim first cool on bacon. I've eaten it my entire life. And as I barrel towards my 38th birthday, I may have shed most of my bad habits, taken up running and a generally healthy diet, I can't and won't give up bacon. It should be our state food. They should teach bacon appreciation in our schools.

It's that important. :)