O-H! I-A?

I lived in Ohio until I was 27, and since I moved out I have found dozens of smart people who confuse Ohio with Iowa. 

To be fair, the states do look similar.  If you rotate Iowa clockwise 90 degrees and pull on its straight edges a bit, Iowa could be Ohio's emaciated little brother.

Now, I like the Hawkeye state.  Its small towns are charming, and small cities are grand.  Its people are progressive; they were among the first states to prohibit racial discrimination (though its population is still more than 95% white).  The corn is divine.  Donna Reed hails from Iowa.  Buffalo Bill and Ann Landers, too.

We midwesterners tend to stick together, but I am not from Iowa. 

I love Iowans' passion for politics.  At one point in my life--the most politically active, gung-ho period I'll call my 20s--I would have loved a front-row seat for the political caucuses.  Today, watching the circus that is the Republican caucus, I'm proud that I played no part in them.

I could live happily in Iowa City, but I do not live there.