I’ve been atypically quiet for the past couple of days for a very simple reason: this weekend was dominated by a necessary trip to my homeland. So how effectively did I manage to fit in some of the most important cultural touchstones of Wisconsin?

Gray skies. Check.

Scraggly, winter-dead trees across the landscape. Check.

A reception in an American Legion hall. Check.

The chicken dance enthusiastically performed at said reception. Check.

A Packers loss. Check.

A robust new illness making me throat feel like it’s been scraped with a rusty metal rake. Check.

Tomorrow, we’ll return to our regular programming.

(Posted simultaneously to “Jelly-Town!”)