Another Winding Stairs Festival is in the books. Like in years previous, it was a good one. I only showed up on Saturday. While rain affected the Friday turnout, it was near perfect weather on Saturday. A little warmer than needed but it is August in Iowa. When the sun went down, the weather ...
I was not alive during the Vietnam War. My historical context is mostly from what I was taught in school and through culture. My first exposure to this war was through the television show "That '70s Show." It came in the form of a joke where Fez, the foreign exchange student, learns about the ...
My small vegetable garden is where an old tree used to stand before my wife and I bought this place. The garden is framed by what used to be a wooden base to the tree. Unfortunately, the soil is nothing compared to the famed northern Tama County soil. While no longer farming, the process of ...
A little more than a year ago, egg prices were through the roof. Cartons of eggs were missing, and the avian bird flu was in full force. This had been an ongoing problem since 2022. After March 2025, egg prices dropped to lower prices, though still higher than pre-pandemic levels. Maybe the ...
Being my first Father’s Day this past Sunday, here are 40 pieces of learned knowledge. I thought I would share the wisdom of what I have learned over the last six months. 1. Always respect Asher’s bedtime. If the bedtime is not respected, chaos ensues. 2. No matter how hard (i.e., crying ...
Nothing is better than seeing fields of green. While it can be debated on what type of plants should be creating the green, seeing the beauty of growth is amazing. Winter can be dreary with the browns and grays, but nothing puts the soul and mood in a better place than seeing green. As I drove ...
Reading the recent North Tama Telegraph article about the Z.C.B.J. Hall in Clutier needing new siding brought up old memories. When my grandma, Ferne Pohlman, moved to Clutier from the farm after my grandpa, Vernon, had passed, she built the house standing across the street to the east of the ...
As I have been using my Apple Maps more often to guide me from location to location, this brings about sadness. While I have not fully given in to having Siri guide me along my trip, I often check the map to know what route is best or where to avoid traffic issues. Unfortunately, this gives up ...
Nothing is more beautiful than the Iowa sky. Staring up at the beautiful blue sky with clouds partially filling the space and jet clouds happened a lot growing up. Having the ability to see horizon to horizon for each cardinal direction was an opportunity which was not appreciated enough. ...
When it comes to seed saving, it is an interesting exercise for farmers. In Iowa, where corn and soybean hybrid seed is dominant, seed saving is non-existent. Protected by Plant Variety Protection certificates and utility patents, the seed companies treat their corn and soybeans seeds like ...