When it's 30 degrees outside you might see me running from the car into the supermarket in a light jacket. I don't like wearing bulky winter coats. Never have.This month's cold snap, however, convinced me of the need for bulk. Our office was closed on January 6 because of the arctic ...
Occasionally during the winter-especially a bitter one like we've been experiencing these days-I remember the story someone told me about what he remembered happened to him one bitter cold day at country school.That was when youngsters wore layers to keep warm in the winter, perhaps not much ...
I'm not what you would call a regular attendee at the Iowa State Fair. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've spent the day at the fair in the past 15 years. There's a lot of reasons for that - it's a busy time of year, the heat of August and the huge crowds.Don't get me ...
To the Editor:In 2010, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy unanimously recommended the legislature consider legalizing cannabis for medical use. Legislation will be introduced this session to implement a medical cannabis program. This would allow physicians in Iowa to recommend medical cannabis to ...
To the Editor:Did you know there are veterans waiting in our county to go on their deserved Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.?It costs about $600 per vet to cover their expenses - what a small price to pay for what they gave to us. Everyday we need to thank these men and women who were willing ...
Story: A man took his new hunting dog on a trial hunt. Presently, he shot a duck that fell into the lake. The dog walked out over the water, picked up the duck and walked back to his master, laying the duck at his feet. The man was flabbergasted. He shot another duck. Once again, the dog walked ...
New Year's resolutions are tough. I've tried to make them over the years but have never succeeded.In the year just ended, however, I made some resolutions and I plan to carry them on into this New Year.You see, 2013 was the most difficult year of my life. My wife of 43 years died in January and ...
When this house was put up six years ago, one of the features I wanted to be included was a storeroom. I don't mean a closet, and I'm not talking about some little cubby hole stuck in a corner somewhere. No, what I wanted was a real, bona-fide, walk-in storeroom with a door to close and space ...
When the clock struck midnight and ushered in the New Year, were you one of many making a New Year's Resolution or two? Don't abandon it by the end of the month; stop by the library and pick up a book or two to help make that resolution a permanent change! These common resolutions are covered ...
To the Editor:In last Friday's paper, I read the moving article from your chamber director about becoming passionate about community. This was followed by a letter from a concerned citizen regarding the problem wall. They fit together perfectly.It seems to me that problem could be resolved if ...
To the Editor:Upper Des Moines Opportunity Inc. would like to extend a thank you to those who gave monetary donations or adopted Angel Tree tags this year. With your help we were able to provide 90 Hamilton County families with an abundance of Christmas gifts for their children.UDMO is thankful ...
To the Editor:People need to be aware of the dangers associated with plants genetically modified to be tolerant to unlimited amounts of herbicide applications, as well as those that produce a pesticide from within the plant itself. (Bt Corn) Currently the most widely planted crops are Round-Up ...
Well, it really wasn't the first snowfall of autumn. Actually, it wasn't even the second or third, but it was the first good tracking snow; the wind went down and the temperature was pushing 40 degrees.That's my kind of hunting weather - good rabbit hunting weather. And I like to hunt ...
On occasion I have been called a Pollyanna. You remember Pollyanna, don't you? She was the happy little girl in Eleanor Porter's novel of the same name who found good in everything. Haley Mills played the title role in Walt Disney's 1960 Pollyanna motion picture.While I will admit to frequently ...
One of the gifts I received this Christmas is a book titled The Happiness Project. It's a one-sentence journal meant to be kept for five years.The idea of it is to help me keep a record of my life in the most manageable way possible. It's a small book, just 4" x 6", and there are only four ...
Tomorrow, we're dismantling our Christmas tree. We're boxing up the ornaments and winding up the lights and garland. We'll put the three-section tree into it's convenient carrying case and place it all in closet for next year.Once Christmas is over, the tree seems kind of bare and a little sad. ...
To the Editor:As New Year's Eve 2014 approaches, many of us are looking forward to spending time with friends and family. Unfortunately, too many of these celebrations will include alcohol or other mood-altering substances. All too often, this leads to impaired driving.According to the Centers ...
It should be no surprise that I love words, especially unusual words. Years ago I came across the word "anachronism." I was not familiar with the term. It reminded me of the word "anarchy" but the context in which it was used made it clear that was not correct.So, to the dictionary I went and ...
I'd have to say that the best time to give your children Christmas presents is when they're little, as their wants are simple, the toys are easy to understand, and they're happy with almost anything as long as they can unwrap it.At least that's how I remember it. Thinking again about a gift I ...
Are you headed over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house this year for the holidays? If you have a car ride ahead of you, try out an audiobook or two to help pass the time quickly and entertain the rest of the passengers in the car.Family Friendly: Need to entertain the whole ...