If it's Tuesday...

...it must be St. Paul, Minnesota. A city that is clean, friendly, and as my cab driver told me, loves winter. Which is why I am sitting by the fire at the St. Paul Hotel as I reflect on the Charles Schultz (native son) statue of Sally reading an open book on her lap, a fitting metaphor perhaps for this tour. After I signed a stack of books last night at Micawbers here, the very nice ("Minnesota Nice") owner of the charming book shop drove me back to the hotel, past the house where F. Scott Fitzgerald (another native son) grew up. It's not surprising that so much creative talent has come out of here -- especially since the only alternatives are ice fishing, ice sculpting, and snow mobiling. Next stop: Milwaukee.