Michigan Cow

This is a splotch on a cow.



This is the cow, and his name is “Michigan.” Why? Because, that splotch resembles the state’s shape. According to this WTVF report, this Simmental steer is one of 30 cattle found on Jacob and Georgia Kessler’s farm in Spaulding Township. The Kessler’s typically sell the cattle for beef, but ‘ol Michigan has been spared the slaughterhouse because of this spot. The Kesslers are waiting for a buyer who wants to use Michigan as a mascot, presumably for some sort of Michigan-related institution or business, not for some devious purpose instigated by the long-running Michigan-Ohio State rivalry (which apparently dates back to the late 19th century). Either way, I'm rooting for Michigan -- the cow!

Two Potatoes, Two Crosses

Brad Edwards from WOOD TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, helped me with Madonna of the Toast by sharing his first-hand account of the Pope Pancake story. He emailed me this past Sunday, Easter, alerting me to the fact that the book was going to be mentioned on air, all thanks to this potato.



Found by Elizabeth Sachs of Marshall, Michigan, as she prepared a twice-baked potato for her son, she believes the cross is a positive sign, no matter what others may think. She says it is "definitely a for-real sign from God," which has "changed everything." You can watch the piece, and even get to see some footage of the book -- thanks, Brad!



This raw potato was cut open way back in 2005 in Joshua Tree, California, by a personal chef, by a personal chef that specialized in raw foods. (I made up the last part.)



Luckily, photographs of this other holy potato in various stages of shriveling exist on this website. You'll have to visit if you want to know how the tuber looked on Day 6.

Oh yeah, some cursory Internet research suggests that there are no potatoes in the Bible . . .