Opinion

GPS and back gravel roads

Published by admin on Mon, 09/27/2021 - 12:18pm

No matter where you go, there’s always some sort of gravel road off the beaten path, and if you take it, you’re either going to get lost, or luckily find your destination with the proper use of GPS. That is, if you don’t already know where you’re going.

My son was on I-70 in Colorado - headed back to Las Vegas from Iowa - and his GPS took him off the interstate onto some random gravel road. I guess this route was supposed to save him 15 or so minutes of travel time. Being the free-spirit he is, he probably shrugged and thought, “Oh, well, let’s try it.”

Read more about GPS and back gravel roads

Constitution Day: A show of patriotism

Published by admin on Mon, 09/20/2021 - 11:05am

I wasn’t sure what to expect of the Constitution Day Observance held last Thursday, but honestly, I was just blown away.

The weather was perfect, a few hundred people were in attendance and everything went off without a hitch. There was food, singing and patriotism - with children and adults, alike.

Read more about Constitution Day: A show of patriotism

Tiger Tracks starts today

Published by admin on Mon, 09/13/2021 - 9:08am

Remember picking up a Herald-Ledger or the former Hardin County Index to see who got married or who was recently engaged? These write-ups usually included a photo of the happy couple and lots of information about the big day, or the big day to be. Or, do you remember seeing another page devoted to the school called either Tiger Tracks or Paw Prints? Remember when the paper was chock full of information about young couples getting married and students doing their thing? Those were the days.

Read more about Tiger Tracks starts today

The music of our lives

Published by admin on Fri, 09/03/2021 - 11:08am

I was in the car listening to Sirius XM Satellite Radio station “70s on 7,” with the grandkids in the backseat. They’re too young to complain or make me change the station, so all was good. Soon one of the pre-recorded ads came on and the announcer said, “If you’re listening to 70s on 7 right now, you’re probably with your grandma!” At first I was shocked to hear this, then I burst out laughing. Of course, I laughed alone, but it was so true.

Read more about The music of our lives

And boom… summer’s over

Published by admin on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 9:45am

Every year it’s the same thing. Late spring turns into summer, and summer turns into “late summer.” It’s that “late summer” time frame that always sends me into a frenzy. During late spring and summer, I had all the time in the world to explore, travel, see friends and relatives, hang out and relax, but now that “late summer” has hit, I’m panicked about getting and all the things that weren’t done already.

All of a sudden the garden is overflowing with vegetables, then all the projects that were put off - because I thought I had all the time in the world - need to be done.

Read more about And boom… summer’s over

Where were you on 911?

Published by admin on Mon, 08/23/2021 - 10:52am

We’re coming up upon an anniversary that no one wants to celebrate. It’s been 20 years since the 911 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City. Twenty years, can you believe it? If any of us were older than a small child on that day, I’m sure we remember what we were doing, and when we got the news. I’d like to hear your story of what you remember on that horrible day.

Read more about Where were you on 911?

Death and dragonflies

Published by admin on Mon, 08/16/2021 - 1:27pm

Right before I left to go on vacation in Colorado, I stopped by Backwoods Gallery and returned some Mason jars from the fresh flower bouquets I had been purchasing on Fridays. I forgot to return an extra jar, so I brought back two.

While I was there, I did a little shopping and found a small, framed piece of artwork of three dragonflies. The image was on quilted material and I thought my mom would like it, so I bought it for her.

Read more about Death and dragonflies

Special guest at the paper

Published by admin on Fri, 08/06/2021 - 1:47pm

Summertime is always so busy… and in my line of work, it can be hard to get away. Who will write the stories? Who will get the paper out? What if something big happens?

So last week I was on vacation and guess who came back to fill in? Why, Rick Patrie, did! He was so gracious in offering his reporting expertise (of course he got paid for his time!), and I was relieved to know the paper would be in good hands.

Read more about Special guest at the paper

The ‘dark side’ of RAGBRAI

Published by admin on Mon, 08/02/2021 - 11:59am

The cowman and I decided to check out the RAGBRAI scene last week, and ventured over to Alden, then Iowa Falls. It really was pretty easy getting around, the bikers were headed east and we were driving west, so no one was in our lane, but it certainly was slow going.

Alden is the cowman’s stomping ground, and he said the town was famous for their RAGBRAI parties in the past, even though they have never been an overnight stop, just a pass-through. Upon hearing this, I anticipated big crowds, mayhem, music and activities.

Read more about The ‘dark side’ of RAGBRAI

Too close for comfort

Published by admin on Mon, 07/19/2021 - 11:18am

I was driving south on Highway 65 nearing new Highway 20 on my way to work last week, and a large dump truck deal with an attached dump on the back was coming north on 65 with his turn-signal on, indicating he was going to turn east onto 20, just like I was. It appeared we were both going to approach the exit at about the same time, but I got there first. Well, silly me. I have no idea where this notion came from, but I always assumed if your turn signal is on, you’re going to turn in that direction. Right?