When 82-year old Roy Libby and his wife Karla of Mt. Pleasant hear of hostages being taken, it brings back memories and emotions that hit home.  Three-and-a-half years ago, on January 3, 1989, …

“Ragbrai” is a word, in Iowa anyway, therefore I'm not going to capitalize it.  Ginnie and I hosted two Ragbrai teams at the Empty Nest Farm, Team Checkers and Team Must Have.  …

Roadrunner is 27 years old, has two dogs, and is a real live hobo.  He's on his way to Britt, Iowa for the National Hobo Convention on August 8th through the 10th.  He will be competing for …

You might know, Carol's husband, Joe, was gone, the temperatures outside were soaring, and Carol was home alone when her first three Belted Galloways (Belties) calved.  She was excited, nervous …

Everybody needs a timeout.  When I was a kid, “timeout” was just becoming fashionable, like when the hula hoop took the country by swirl.  Instead of a spanking, a …

On June 20, 98-year old Vern Dorothy of Mt. Pleasant, a World War II Navy Veteran, threw out the first pitch at a Burlington Bees baseball game.  The crowd, with more than polite applause, …

On our cruise ship, the rugs in the elevators have the day of the week imprinted on them.  What a hoot!  Is it because there are so many seniors on board that the ship is like a floating …

In 1978 Mike and Marilyn Vincent of Mt. Pleasant welcomed their second-of-five Youth For Understanding students (Foreign Exchange Students).  This one from Finland.  Her name is Outi …

I know I've said this before, and one of my readers was quick to point it out, but “The Covenant of Water” is the best book I have ever read.  How do I know?  Well, I'll take …

On July 11 of this year it will be 60 years since Hans Trousil of West Burlington immigrated from Germany to the United States.  It was 1964, he was 11 years old and in the 6th grade.  He …

Drawing on her experience as an educator and motivational speaker, and her love of children, animals and the farm, Denise McCormick is about to announce the publication of her second children's book, …

I've heard it said that “All wealth comes from the soil.”  Sitting in my recliner in our living room (my favorite place in the house), looking through the picture window at the …