#40daysoflight: 50 states, 6 territories

Yesterday morning, I had an early speaking engagement at a breakfast, and when I returned, our friends were sitting with a pile of coins.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I didn't realize that each coin had a different state on it," answered Justine, referring to American 25¢ pieces.  "I kind of want to get all 50."

With that, we were on a mission.  We emptied pockets, handbags, coin trays in our car.  We dumped boxes, drawers, jars.  Alex's guitar teacher showed up, we made him go back out to his car and check his coin trays.

And by the end of the night, we had all 50 states, and 6 territories.  (For the record, Iowa was a bugger to find.)

I can't tell you what a sense of accomplishment this gave us.  Also, for the record, it takes a few washes to get the smell of coin off of your hands.

Soundtrack:  America by Prince