Living in Society
Politics mostly social commentary.
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For the first time since we covered our foundation with earth in 1993 we had water downstairs after a heavy rainfall. Perhaps it was a sign. As soon as we discovered the problem, we reacted. Later in the day I bought a 20-inch fan at the home, farm and auto supply store to circulate air… Read more
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Kim Weaver believes 2016 is the year to retire Republican Steve King from Congress. What makes her effort different from those of Jim Mowrer, Christie Vilsack, Matt Campbell, Rob Hubler and others? The political climate of intolerance and hate people like Rep. King foster has reached its limit, creating a backlash among lifelong Republicans. Weaver… Read more
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Mounds of grass clippings blocked the John Deere’s steering as I mowed part of the lawn. The temperature was ideal, the sky clear, and I was alert enough to safely operate the equipment. To engage the steering I backed off and tried again. Grass clippings lie in wind rows where I mowed last night. Using… Read more
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Hope regular readers are well tolerating my posts from Blog for Iowa. They are different from what I normally write here, but then none of us is one-dimensional — I hope. I got off work at the orchard a couple hours early. It’s the beginning of the season and we had plenty of staff to… Read more
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(EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was written for On Our Own: Sustainability in a Turbulent World in 2013 and has been corrected and updated). The Cumulus radio station in Cedar Rapids was advertising how a person could earn up to $340 per month selling their plasma. It’s enough to make it worth a look to see… Read more
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Republicans have taken the effort to suppress voting rights nationwide, including in Iowa. Iowa Republicans have done their part, if not as egregiously as in other states. They would do more to suppress voting rights if they controlled our bicameral legislature and the governorship. One of the first things Iowa Governor Terry Branstad did in… Read more
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The conventions dispersed and the road home was ahead as Blog for Iowa writers engaged with Senator Chuck Grassley last Friday. Both Trish Nelson, in a chance meeting in Mount Pleasant, and Dave Bradley, at a town hall event in Columbus Junction, each encountered Grassley in eastern Iowa. Both stories are worth hearing and indicate… Read more
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SOLON, Iowa — While Trish Nelson takes a well-deserved break, I will attempt to fill her shoes at Blog for Iowa. Delegates from the national party conventions dispersed last week and there is a lot to write about. Party and twitterverse aside, the telltale sign the election campaign shifted to a new phase was when… Read more
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Between working opening day at the orchard and the kickoff of a friend’s political campaign I had two hours. Day six of a hundred straight work days was about as good as it gets: a reunion with friends from last season, a chance to catch up and engage again in this apple life. It’s not… Read more
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Today begins 100 straight days of work. Monday through Friday I’ll be at the home, farm and auto supply store, Saturday and Sunday at the orchard, and in between there is writing, gardening, cooking, home maintenance, yard work and living. It’s not a life of fun. It is doing what’s needed to sustain a life… Read more
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