I read through and browsed several parts of your site before settling on this post. Yeah, Coupland is real Canadian culture, but he is more. I am a “frozen Canadian” chillin’ in Des Moines, from Toronto with a wife from Montreal well over our culture shock and ready to say that you might be in the midst of it. But good for you! I liked the Grant Wood post. It is Iowa but, it, too, is more. It’s American but it is also modern and I identify with it, and Grant Wood, for the great artist he is and what he created. My kids in school are learning just what you described and know him, his story and his art cold. I am 2 blocks from the Art Centre [notice that proper spelling!]here in Des Moines which is, well, world class. I am sitting in my Prarie style home which is a joy to behold for its period integrity. Iowa is a beautiful place and you shouldn’t mind missing it. I do every time I leave, which is usually to head back to Toronto or business somewhere.

Ah, but back to Coupland! He doesn’t get the respect he desrves as part of the Canadian literati, much dominated by Central Canada, but he is a treasure and one that is youthful, with wisdom to spare. I’ll try to listen to the interview on CBC’s site.