The recent cold weather in some parts of the Midwest has me thinking about warmer weather fishing, and when I do that, I think about previous fishing experiences. I recently visited a fishing message board and was impressed with how walleye fishing knowledge has evolved. Walleye anglers today, ...
Most of the booths appeared full when I walked into the coffee shop. As I searched for an open seat I was surprised to see Ebenezer Griper. Eb is an irascible old acquaintance who lives several miles out of town. On this morning he was sitting alone, reading a newspaper. “May I join you?” I asked as I slid into the opposite bench. “Haven’t seen you in a coon’s age,” Eb muttered as he looked up over his smeared eyeglasses. “I guess my luck has ended.” “It’s a joy to see you, too, Eb!” I replied. “A day or two ago I got to wondering about what happened to that ...
I’m confused, and I have a hunch I am not the only one. Are government mandates a bad thing — or are they good? My confusion comes because I hear what leaders in the Iowa Legislature and Gov. Kim Reynolds have said for months. It certainly seems as if, to a person, they agree mandates are bad. The governor often talks about how she believes Iowans will “do the right thing” when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines and wearing masks. She talks about the importance of defending people’s rights and liberties. She is confident Iowans will act appropriately. Last May, she signed a new ...
For this week’s newsletter I wanted to highlight an issue that I am passionate about and am honored to be the lead sponsor for in the Senate. The Article V Convention of States is an effort never tried before in our history. It is an avenue the founders gave us to rein in an out-of-control federal government if it can no longer restrain itself. If 34 states pass resolutions calling for a convention, Congress shall call for a convention for delegates from each state to gather and discuss proposing amendments for the states to ratify or reject to add to the constitution. In order for an ...
One of the nation’s most popular recordings nearly 70 years ago was Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera.” The title is from the Spanish “Lo que será, será” meaning “what will be, will be.” In the lyrics a young girl asks her mother about her future and whether she will be pretty or rich. “Que sera, sera...” her mother replies, “…the future’s not ours to see… whatever will be, will be.” I thought of these lyrics after a conversation with a group of friends. We agreed that it is best that when we are young we don’t know our future. Life, of course, is a mixture ...
A few days ago my wife woke me up. It was nearly 7:30 a.m. I have been retired for eight years and there was nothing specific that had to be done that day, but I felt a bit slothful. Sleeping in like that has never been part of my adult life… until recently. Oh, I remember being a kid and sleeping until 8:30 or 9:00 on a summer morning. With a houseful of children I imagine our mother enjoyed those rare moments of peace on a quiet summer morning when we kids slept late. Back in those days I liked to stay up late and sometimes fought sleep. You could say I was resisting a ...
