Haynie B&B closed this weekend

Bad news for those of you eager to spend this holiday weekend in one of northern Indiana's most sought after guest homes.

Starting Friday, the Haynie B&B will close its doors for the weekend. Our sole guest is leaving to celebrate Halloween in Indianapolis, so no one will be here to check guests in, arrange Amish Acres tours, etc.

While in the big city, our guest will be speaking to high school journalism students about her recent experiences reporting in South Africa.

This is the second time this week that our guest has been asked to speak publicly about her transatlantic adventures. Earlier in the week, she spoke to several reporters and former colleagues at The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette about South African politics, attitudes toward the press, and man-eating hippos.

She felt a little awkward talking to staff reporters about an internship experience, but thought it went rather well, considering.

We wish her luck with her next speaking engagement.

And now for the good news:

The Haynie B&B will be back in business Monday.

BOOK NOW to receive EXCELLENT accommodation while you help get out the vote!!!

An open invitation

Anxious about the election?

Eager to help get out the vote in a vital swing state?

Itching for a weekend get-away and a chance to take that long-anticipated road trip through the Corn Belt?

You're in luck.

The Haynie Bed & Breakfast, located in scenic northern Indiana, is offering FREE accommodation through Election Day and beyond. The Haynie B&B has wonderful views of the woods, and plenty of paths nearby that are perfect for hiking, biking, or renting a golden retriever. It's located only minutes away from several 'must see' attractions, including historic Amish Acres, the Arcola Tractor Pull, and the Dan Quayle Vice Presidential Museum.

Itineraries can be suggested upon arrival. (Combine rides can be arranged during harvest season. Book now.)

Privacy is guaranteed. The owners are away in Florida, and there's only one guest: a female journalist who spends most of her time struggling to write in uncomfortable library chairs and stalking an ever-elusive do-right rapper. She'll be in charge while the owners are gone.

She can't cook, though she tries to clean. And she's been known to talk from time to time.

In any case, we're confident you'll think she's great.

If you fly into Indiana, our guest will even pick you up at the Fort Wayne International Airport, where any reservations you've had about your descent into the heartland will be allayed when a grandmother in the terminal welcomes you to the "City of Attractions" and offers you a chocolate chip cookie from her woven wooden basket.*

(No lie; it's just Hoosier hospitality)

Rooms remain FREE and AVAILABLE until the day our guest leaves.

Book now!!!! We hope to see you soon!


* See photo at bottom of blog

The fall, friendly neighbors and something weird

Darlyn* and I went for several walks in the neighborhood this weekend.

It's our thing. We love staring at squirrels, barking at deer, and exploring all kinds of animal carcasses.

But this is something we usually do in the summer months, when I'm visiting home for a week or so. I can't remember the last time we've done this in the fall.

As we were walking, I realized that it's been 8 years since I've seen Indiana in autumn.

How could it be? Growing up, this was always my favorite season. Throughout the last few years, I've had an unexamined but powerful urge to come back here during the fall. Now I understand why.

(I know, I know; Careful what you wish for.)

As Darlyn darted in and out of the bushes, I started to feel lucky to be back here. There was so much in front of me to appreciate: bright orange leaves falling on the lake, yellow butterflies, red berries of every shape and size, the smell of certain trees. Strange to think there was once a time when I knew the NAME of everything around me! Maybe, I thought, I'd take pictures of all the plants that caught my attention, and then look them up in a field guide later and label each one!

(Okay, so you saw the photo. I did it.)

Suddenly a minivan pulled up beside me. I'd usually cringe at the sight of this, assuming a neighbor was about to ask me why I was back in town. But in that moment a newfound sense of purpose swept away my insecurities.

"No matter that I'm unemployed, and hundreds of miles away from the worlds that I've grown to love," I thought. "I'm surrounded by glorious trees and wild creatures! The creatures can be my friends! I'll learn the names of trees!"

Then Larry, my next door neighbor of 20 years, rolled down the window.

I haven't really spoken to Larry in years. And even if I'd wanted to chat, he wouldn't have time. Larry is a 61-year-old Jewish toothpick, who runs 10 miles a day. He's a single father of NINE children, ranging from 3 to 19 years old. The first is from a wife who passed away years ago, the second came to him through surrogacy. The other seven are adopted from South America. Rumor has it he's been asked to go on talk shows to discuss his life, but he's declined. He's something of a character, to put it mildly.

"This is weird. Really weird," he said. "I have something weird to tell you, but I think it'll be fine. Can I tell you something weird?"

"Sure," I said. "Tell me something weird."

"I told your parents this the other day. And I think I should tell you, too."

"Go for it."

"Have you heard of Match.com or eHarmony?"

"Yes," I said, waiting for the story on the way...

"YOU SHOULD DO IT!" he said, grinning. "Why not have some fun while you're here!!!!"

I didn't really know how to respond, so I told Larry this was a wonderful idea, and that I'd sign up as soon as I could.

"Let me know how it goes!" he said, and drove away.

Fall is great, I thought. But will end eventually.

And I went home and sent out three job applications.


* Darlyn, my ditzy but devoted golden retriever, will feature rather prominently in my blog, as she is one of my four friends in Fort Wayne and has no choice but to spend time with me.

Goodbye South Africa, hello heartland

I flew into fly over country two weeks ago - tired, dazed, and carrying two bags about my size.

Flirting with the US Airways bag check guys paid off; I didn't have to pay an overweight bag fee, which is a good thing, considering I was planning to deliver a speech if I needed to fork over any extra cash.

It would have gone something like this:

Thanks, sir. I understand each bag is 15 pounds over the limit. But what's a 5 foot 2, single girl supposed to do when she leaves the country for 5 months? I need the requisite hairdryer, 12 pairs of shoes, toiletries, etc. And I was in South Africa, and absolutely had to bring back quality gifts, like a lion stuffed animal wearing a safari hat and a giraffe family made out of Coke cans.

Do airline authorities expect that I spread the weight of these necessities over THREE bags!?! I can't do that. I can't carry three bags.

Apparently the airlines hate short, single women.

So I'm back home in Fort Wayne, Indiana again. I was here back in the early spring as well, looking for jobs and working at the local paper. Then I won an Overseas Press Club Fellowship in South Africa, and spent a few months interning with the Associated Press in Johannesburg.

I know what you're thinking:

"Oh, you've just come back from South Africa! You've covered township violence, political turmoil, visits by foreign leaders and international conferences? Now you're back in Indiana, doing nothing? Oh yes, what a perfect time to start a blog!"

Touché.

Though I've actually found something to do while I'm here.

I'm working on a story about a man, a do-right rapper, actually, who tried to rob and kidnap my parents 13 years ago. It's got the makings of a great story - chock-full of drama, violence and suspense. The only downside is that everyone I need to interview would rather be wearing a winter parka in a sauna than speaking to me. Apparently talking about being robbed, robbing, or your son who robbed, isn't the way most people like to spend their afternoons.

This is part 1 of Devon's blog, "Grounded in God's Country." Thanks for reading. If all goes according to plan, part 2, the far more interesting part, the part where I leave Indiana to pursue a brilliant journalism career in New York, Johannesburg, or Washington, DC, will commence soon.

Pray for me.