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That’s what kindness can do

“You’re receiving this gift because I love the colorful fall season. “Even though I don’t know you, I pray that you will feel blessed by the beauty that God provides each day, such as seeing a beautiful sunrise or sunset, being with someone who brings you joy or maybe it's in the stillness and quietness of the night as you ponder the many wonders of the world. We only need to open our eyes, ears, heart and mind to see what he has for us to enjoy every day. “Enjoy the season!” I wish I could recall more about the woman who approached me in the Hy-Vee parking lot. I ...

Ah, the Guthries

I enjoy living across the street from Graceland Cemetery, especially when dogs are out walking their humans. My daughter is on the board of directors for Midwest Peke ‘n Chin Rescue, helping with all those small, smooshie-faced dogs with big attitudes. She recently assisted in the adoption ...

A country bumpkin who can’t dance

As children we are taught not to covet other people’s things. I had cousins who had an electric train setup. I wanted it. That’s coveting. Come to think of it, I wasn’t coveting. I wanted one like it! By the way, I could covet all I wanted but I didn’t get that train set or one like it. Fast forward to today. At my age, there isn’t much I want anymore. I have been richly blessed and the things I don’t have I don’t want. Well, there is one thing I still kind of covet. It sounds silly but I covet guys who can dance well. I don’t want to be a Fred Astaire, I just want ...

The solution to domestic violence is prevention

If you are familiar with domestic violence, you know that its effect most often is to ruin your life. I wish I hadn’t just written that. Domestic violence is too often incremental, starting in a way that confuses, then escalating to a point where you are certain it’s time to leave. Want some statistics? Here are a few: — 1 in 10 high school students has experienced physical violence from a dating partner in the past year. This is incremental. — 9.4% of high school students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt intentionally by their partner in the previous 12 ...

Sniffing out bargains

I love a bargain. Finding something I need at a great discount is a joy. Back when GPS devices were relatively new, I purchased a $199 brand name GPS navigation system for less than $50. That’s a bargain! Our mother taught her kids the art of bargain shopping. It was a matter of survival for a woman with a tight budget and a hungry husband and six ravenous children to feed. I joke that I can sniff out a bargain. When I go shopping I usually check out the clearance shelves first. I have also learned the skill of not buying something I don’t need just because it’s cheap! The ...

Olmstead was an accomplished scout

I was at a gas station recently and bought some really tasty popcorn from a Cub Scout. Having been a Scout myself — Cub, Boy and Explorer — in my distant youth, I had to look into the history of scouting here. I had no idea that Webster City hosted one of the first troops in the nation. ...