Clara City!

10/12/11, message left on answering machine:

Uh, you don’t even need to call me back.  This message is going to be so stunning, you probably won’t even be able to use the phone.  It’s the Bomp (short for Bompa, a child’s mispronunciation of “grandpa,” which has become his nickname).  I don’t know if I mentioned the other day, when I was at Olivia, Minnesota, that it is the corn capital.  They have a gazebo there with a giant fiberglass ear of corn about 30 feet tall on top of it.  So I just passed within about 20 miles of Olivia, coming here through this new town, and you can’t believe what it’s called.  I’m in Clara City.  CLARA CITY!  It’s Minnesota.  It’s named after you guys.  I can’t even believe it.  Clara, that kitty will probably want to play with your hair even more now that it knows there’s a town named after you.  I can’t even believe it!  Kay bye.

My young daughter Clara said, "Oh, that silly Bompa."

Follow-up conversation:

Mike: "Olivia Minnesota.  It's the Corn Capital.  Says so right on the sign."

Olivia: "Of what?  Corn capital of the world, or just the United States?"

Mike: "I don’t think they have to justify that.  It’s the corn capital and that’s all you need to know, young lady.