Ty's Take: Change the state motto

Now, I know that is an extremely sacrilegious thing to say to Iowans, but hear me out. “Hawkeye State” is a one-of-a-kind name and is the signature symbol of this state — unless you’re a Cyclone fan — but, in my opinion, it doesn’t do enough to describe the people of this state.

My general impressions of the people in this state have been overwhelmingly positive. People have been kind, respectful, extremely helpful, and pretty open minded. Its been very refreshing; I almost feel like I live in one of those perfect towns you saw in in 1950s and 1960s television shows.

I mean come on, we have a Dollar Tree here!

Before I offer up my suggestion for a new state nickname, I’d like to share a few of my experiences so far in Iowa. The first time I came here to apartment hunt I was feeling defeated because every complex in town was closed for the holidays.

I told my story to a cashier at Casey’s and she made a few calls right then and there and got me the personal cell phone number of a complex manager in town. A little bit after that my waitress at Montana Mike’s also gave me the personal cell phone number of her landlord.

I called that landlord, who showed me several of her properties within an hour of my call. That was amazing to me. And although I passed on all the properties she showed me, it was pretty nice that she came out from a distance on the snowy roads to show them to me.

I eventually settled for a place where my current landlord approved me that day and even told me how much he looked forward to reading my work in the paper.

Fortunately for me, these displays of kindness weren’t due just to the holiday spirit. People around here just seem to be truly good natured. People have been willing to let me into their lives and homes — with open hearts and minds — so that I can write their stories.