What Is The Heartland Of America?

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I’m trying to figure something out and I need your help in answering this question…

What is the heartland of America? No… I don’t really need to know where it is exactly as much as What it is… What does it mean to you?

Is it baseball and apple pies? American flags and Chevrolet? Ford Trucks and BBQ? Farms, cattle, crops and a good pair of boots? All things Texas? (slight joke for Keely Scott)

Is it the American Way? What is it?

I’m flying home from Phoenix as I write this. I’m looking down over our great country and there are crops for miles around. Roads and farm houses all playing their part in the American dream.

You see, I grew up in Arkansas where my world was filled with music, family, church and friends. Weekends at the lake spent waterskiing and swimming. Rock n Roll and concerts, basketball games, swim practice, soccer, football, church pot-luck and the rodeo with the occasional two step thrown in for good measure in my college days.

So… if you wouldn’t mind, take a minute or two and leave me a comment. Tell me what the heartland of America means to you.

What does it feel like, smell like, look like, taste like… whatever you want to say.

I really appreciate your help and look forward to your answers.

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  • Andy Depuy

    Some say the heartand of Ameica is the mid United States. I say that it is the states of South Dakota,Ks,Neb.and Iowa. Where you see the real small towns and people know people and where they help each other every day and not worried about who their neighbors are. That is what is the Heartland of America. I sometimes wish i was back there.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      nice… small towns where people know people not worrying about who their neighbors are and helping them out no matter what… good! i like that! thanks!

  • Jackson Elizabeth

    The heartland of America is volunteer fire departments…men who jump and run even during a sermon when the fire whistle goes off. It is that spirit of the whole community working together to do what us right and good and not worrying about what’s in it for them. Olney, Texas is the heartland of America. They’ve had the same preacher for the church of Christ for almost thirty years…and while we were there he won citizen of the year for being a true minister. It’s people. It’s becoming harder to find.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      Thanks… i think you might be right… it’s becoming harder to find.

  • http://davidsantistevan.com David Santistevan

    The heartland of America is massive potlucks, family, and friends. You just can’t go wrong with lots of food and people who are close to you :)

  • Michael Patterson

    To me it is hard work, not blaming others for misfortune, and watching out for your neighbors when misfortune strokes them.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      watching out for your neighbors… not blaming others.. nice. thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/lantzhoward Lantz Howard

    The heartland is embracing the days that I get stuck behind a tractor on the road. It helps me to realize the value of the greater economy, but also the need to slow down and enjoy life…even behind a tractor.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      ah… the good fortune of patience and slowing down. Nothing like a tractor to teach that lesson:) thanks!

  • Lynne

    The Heartland…feels like a life without pretension…smells like the neighbor’s cow farm, where he, his sons, and their sons, all do the work…it tastes like a tomato far superior to Florida’s…and looks like my friends driving up (yes some in pick up trucks) to help stack firewood.

    It’s where you can have too many cats and not be eccentric. No one thinks it’s odd or dangerous or maniacal if you own a gun. The local veterinarian offers Conceal/Carry certification.

    College professors and survivalists live side by side (sometimes in the same home or are even the same person). Every dandelion in the lawn does not need to be killed – in fact, the greens look tasty.

    The fads begun in large metro areas die in the Heartland. And we’re okay with that.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      oh my gosh… I love this… The local veterinarian offers Conceal/Carry certification.

      but more importantly… this is well said.. The fads begun in large metro areas die in the Heartland. And we’re okay with that.

      wow! thanks!

      • Lynne

        Thanks for the post. It’s made me think all day about the advantages and disadvantages of the Heartland.

        I’ve lived in the Big City. Loved it, never expected to love the country but I do. Sometimes I think I’m supposed to move away, often due to friends’ expectations that the city is “better.” But when I am there, I think all the time what I don’t have (bookstores, bakeries, etc.) and what I am not (fashionable and painfully thin, possible full of plastic surgery). I return home thankful that I live somewhere that it’s easy to be who I am – frumpy in jeans. I’m really good at life here with no pressure to have false sophistication.

        Glad I found your blog!

        • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

          it’s a good life isn’t it… I love the small town way and the politeness of the country.

  • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

    For me…

    Smell: fresh cut grass after a nice spring rain. the smell of steak on the grill

    Feel: like the day/night will last forever. like you have seen it thousands of times but it never gets old.

    The heartland of america for me is centered around a table. A table full of food, family and fun.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      Man.. I’ve seen those endless summer nights! Couldn’t agree more and I love the smell of fresh cut grass. Thanks Kyle!

  • http://www.keelymariescott.com Keelymariescott

    Love This and LOVE reading everyones replies!!
    Having just returned from God’s Country, Texas (the TRUE Heartland of America) I must say I am a bit misty eyed.
    This past weekend I sat with family and friends that feel like family out in the Texas Hill Country sharing meals, stories, and laughs away from the business that we find ourselves in. It was perfection! And there were some gooooood cowboy boots in that crowd so that is a definite PLUS!

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      Thank Keely!!! What’s great about your great love for the great state of Texas is I know you have captured the essence of the heartland in some of the best photos I’ve ever seen!

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