In a world where everything goes as fast as possible, time should be taken to appreciate parts of life which are not meant to be commodified. This means art, specifically, is done as a passion whether it is painting, drawings, writing, or performing. Some are lucky enough to create art which ...

To be a beginning farmer today if one does not have access to land and machinery from family or an older farmer is not wise. This is not good for rural Iowa. Rural Iowa succeeded when more farmers were on the land. As Iowa heads down this current path, there is not an effective way out. Schools ...

Several years back, a band I was part of was scheduled to play a small coffee shop in San Pedro, California, where the lead singer got her start. When we got there, we found out the venue had accidentally double booked us with an open mic. As the locals drifted in and started to engage, we came ...

In Governor Kim Reynolds 2022 campaign ad, it ends with the words “Here in Iowa…America Still Works.” Does it? What version of American is Kim Reynolds envisioning? Her vision appears increasingly to be one where people at the bottom of the economic totem pole are stiffed while the top ...

At the start of the year, it is good to reflect on the past year. While there were many environmental challenges during 2023, there were also some successes. Most notable were the outcomes from the COP23 climate summit. For the first time, the countries called for a transition away from fossil ...

Last week, Sports Illustrated laid off most of its staff according to various reports. While it is not surprising, considering the state of Sports Illustrated, it is sad. Growing up, there was a time when I looked forward to getting this magazine each Thursday. I did not read it all, but I ...

There have been many measures considered to combat climate change, but the recently introduced bipartisan “Energy Innovation Act” may be the best one. Although all the co-sponsors are Democrats, several Republicans have shown an interest in the bill. It also has the support of environmental ...

In December, I made a trip to Los Angeles. Film and television have always been intriguing, and it finally worked out to make the visit. Chicago and New York City have already been checked off the visit list. With these cities being the three largest cities in the United States, it feels right ...

Remembering lyrics to songs does not come easy. When listening to music, every other part of the song; the drums, guitars, and everything else in between is more prevalent. When I remember the lyrics to a song, it holds extra significance. One of these songs is Judah & The Lion’s “Suit ...