I didn’t pay much attention to football for much of my life. But then I gave birth to three sons who adore the sport. I watched them all play while they were growing up, and now I watch with them in front of the flat screen on Sundays (and Mondays and Thursdays - September through the second ...
Last year, Americans spent $23.9 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts! On what? My frugal mind goes to a card (probably homemade) and a marshmallow-filled chocolate heart. But some gift offerings blow my mind! For about 200 bucks, you can buy a portable tabletop fireplace! I didn’t notice ...
I've been learning some things about my adoptive hometown and the people that populate it. First of all, Gladbrook is not afraid of cold weather. The good souls of my hometown go out in subzero weather to deliver goodie bags. I sit shivering in my home because I am freezing all the time. To ...
Here’s fun, catchy phrases, like “The Quick Picker Upper” (by Bounty), “Finger-Lickin’ Good” (by KFC), and “Where’s the Beef!” (by Wendy’s). Some phrases we know well, like…“Have it Your Way!”, “Like a Good Neighbor…”, “Snap, Crackle, Pop!” and “You ...
(January 27th, 2023) It’s good to talk to people. As I make the telephone rounds, the topic that comes up most – along with the Steering/Executive Committee discussion the woeful state of our rural Democratic party in this state. IT’s down so far (you could see it coming), that some ...
A friend recently encouraged me to be “strong like bull.” I was a bit confused (not uncommon.) Somehow, I thought the phrase was “strong like a bear.” Which, of course, lead me to Google. Turns out the phrase “strong like bull” is a pop culture reference from a handful of movies, ...
Jim Sorensen, a local high school athlete, has advanced to the Golden Gloves tournament to be held at Cedar Rapids. Appearing in the ring for the first time and fighting in the 160-pound class, Sorensen, a southpaw who starred in football for Toledo high school, won the right to enter the Cedar ...
Well, in case you haven't figured it out yet, we are in the throes of "old-man winter." The snow, the cold, the wind, and we're in the middle of winter. February is just starting, and not sure at this writing if the groundhog saw his shadow or not, but to be fairly honest with you, I really ...
Despite Iowans speaking out in record numbers in opposition, Governor Reynolds signed her voucher bill into law on Tuesday. The bill, which takes away resources from public schools and gives it to private schools instead, takes effect quickly for new kids entering private schools in the Fall of ...
The last couple of years have been doozies - for just about all of us. The world has changed before our eyes in ways we never would have or could have imagined. I’ve found - often the hard way - that difficult times are opportunities for growth, new perspectives, and outlooks. Two years ...