Inflation and nickel ice cream cones

June 22, 2026

On a recent Saturday morning my wife and I had run a few errands when she reminded me she had been given a gift card for a new business. Neither of us were familiar with the place but gathered from the name of the business that they sold cookies. After a frustrating search to find the business, we finally pulled into a parking place. Julie asked what kind of cookies I preferred. I told her it was her gift card; get whatever she liked. She said she would get some chocolate chip cookies which we both like. When she returned to the car, she was carrying an attractive box which she ...

Why God made fathers

June 15, 2026

God made a wise decision when He decided females would serve as mothers. Men generally just can’t do mommy things as well as mommies. Of course, the flip side of this is true. God wisely appointed males to the role of father. Over the centuries, men have made plenty of mistakes, as we continue to do today, but we’re still the best choice for the role of daddy. Think about it. Who gives the best “horsey-back” rides, dads or moms? Dads generally aren’t afraid to get down on the floor and wrestle and serve as a beast of burden. In fact, men often show some of the best attributes ...

Just be in the room

June 10, 2026

For the past year, I have been sitting in many, many meetings, sometimes the only one present outside of staff or other media. This sounds tedious. But one thing I’ve learned. It’s important to be there. Most of these meetings include elected officials, voted on by me, my neighbors and the community. And I appreciate the time it takes to work in these positions. These are not easy jobs if they are reading the materials and studying the issues. So I respect those who have taken up the challenge, campaigned for the positions, and then find themselves placed in a totally new ...

Saying goodbye to old technology

June 8, 2026

We had to say goodbye to an old family friend last week. Our VHS recorder/player died. I’ve owned a VHS unit for more than 40 years. The dearly departed VHS machine was number three. The first VHS player came at great expense. I purchased it from an advertising client who operated a large appliance and electronics store. I never asked for a discount but Bill always gave me one. The technology was relatively new at the time, early 1980s, and a major purchase for our young family. With the discount, it cost approximately $400. This was a good VHS player but not top of the line. I ...

Finding gratitude in every season

June 3, 2026

Living in rural Iowa teaches us a lot about seasons. We watch the fields turn from brown to green, then green to gold. We celebrate the rain when it’s needed and pray for it when it doesn’t come. We know what it’s like to endure long winters, muddy springs, hot summers, and busy harvests. Life has a way of reminding us that every season eventually changes. The same is true in our personal lives. Some seasons are filled with joy—weddings, new babies, family gatherings, good health, and answered prayers. Other seasons feel much harder. We may be carrying the weight of a ...

The first freshman class 60 years later

June 1, 2026

Members of my Northeast Hamilton Community High School Class of 1966 are making plans for a 60th class reunion. Sixty years — can you believe it? We have enjoyed class reunions every five years since 1971 when we all thought we were getting old. We stand corrected. The distinction that sets apart the Class of ’66 is the fact we were the first freshman class of a newly reorganized school district. Beginning in the 1950s the state put pressure on Iowa’s smaller school districts to buddy up with neighboring districts. Located in north central Iowa, the Blairsburg, Kamrar ...