What's on your plate?

"Cause I'm on my way to Tennessee

Singing "Georgia On My Mind"

Chasing what they say's a dream

Thinking maybe it ain't mine."

If you ever walk through an enormous parking lot at a mall—especially during the holidays—you will find there are many people who have travelled a long distance to shop. Today's "Snap. Shot" is not about shopping—I don't enjoy shopping—it's about letting people know where you come from, a nick name, or a favorite passion your support. It's what you will find on many license plates.

Here in Illinois we are determined to remind anyone who wants to know, this is "The Land of Lincoln." Of course our 16th President was not born here, but we have let everyone know, he lived here. If he had not won the presidency, and I believe it was close, I assume we would have "Land of corrupt politicians" or something like that on our plates. 

Having grown up in the "Show-Me State," I remember many times when the plates were removed and hung in our garage. This was when they changed the colors of the plates frequently; now they just give you a sticker to peel and place on the corner or in the middle to show you have paid the fee.

States like Vermont have "Green Mountain State" on their license—you can tell I have not spent much time in the state, I really don't know anything about "Green Mountain" or Louisiana being "The Sportsman's Paradise," and/or Pennsylvania who provides the URL code to discover more about what the state has to offer. If you have to get that close to the plate to write it down when you're driving, chances are you will meet someone very quickly who lives there and then exchange insurance information because of the fender bender you created.

Because I am a Bull's fan, I have thought about applying for a custom plate with the Bull's logo and recognition that "I am a FAN." I would suspect when I travel to Milwaukee, Indianapolis, or even Minnesota and attend a game—it might be easy to find my car. It also might be the one with the smashed windows when I return. Don't laugh, I went to Iowa many years ago and my tires were slashed as I slept in a hotel. Why? Illinois was playing Iowa and let's say there was a rivalry. When I asked at the front desk they said, "Yes we heard something outside, but we didn't investigate." That was the last time I stayed at that hotel.

The photo above was taken in Maine. It was on the outside wall of a restaurant we had eaten at and I just thought, "How cool is this?" Probably my favorite on the wall is from Saskatchewan; with pride, this province of Canada, let's everyone know, they are the "Wheat Province!"

Thanks for stopping by.