State park trail entry point.

Journey Home

Tales from the pilgrimage.

Living in Society

Politics mostly social commentary.

  • Iowa’s Final Stretch – 2014

    LAKE MACBRIDE— With yesterday’s top of the ticket U.S. Senate debate between U.S. Representative Bruce Braley and State Senator Joni Ernst, the Iowa political season moves into the final stretch. For those who don’t recognize it, that’s a horse racing metaphor, and at this point, Ernst looks to lead by a nose, although based on… Read more

  • Life Minus Television

    LAKE MACBRIDE— It has been a while, more than a year, since the television has been turned on with any regularity. I fired up the tubes to view President Obama’s address to the nation on the campaign in Syria, and occasionally we follow extreme weather, but mostly the set rests darkly in the corner, collecting… Read more

  • Fall Arrived

    JOHNSON COUNTY— In a post-career life there is never a day off. I’m okay with that because days become a time to see the world through a new lens during and between existential errands. After morning chores, I drove to the CSA to pick two bushels of bell peppers for freezing. Next, I went to… Read more

  • Early Voting in Big Grove

    BIG GROVE— Early voting for the Nov. 4 general election begins on Sept. 25, and I’m in no hurry. I’m also willing to bet that I’ve given more thought to the entire ballot than most voters in the precinct. The top of the ticket is easy, with votes for Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack almost… Read more

  • Juke Box – Tears in Heaven

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  • Day of Work Photos

    From sunrise until sunset I made a retreat, preparing for winter. Read more

  • Fall Arrived Unawares

    LAKE MACBRIDE— The chill in the air is undeniable as summer activities wrap up— ready or not. The last share from the CSA picks up tonight, and Tuesday is to be a full day of outdoor activities, with Wednesday the rain date. It is time to harvest and prepare the yard and garden for the… Read more

  • Turning on the Television

    LAKE MACBRIDE— It took a bit to remember how to operate the remote controls for our old-school tube television last night. I was loathe to hear President Obama’s plan “to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL.” Information about the speech had been leaked during the day, and there was plenty of… Read more

  • A Humanitarian Campaign

    This is the first in a series of new posts about the humanitarian campaign to abolish nuclear weapons. “Since the end of the Cold War we have acted as though the problem of nuclear war has gone away. Unfortunately it hasn’t.” ~International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) “I am very worried that… Read more

  • News from the Lake

    LAKE MACBRIDE— A steady rain fell and continued through the night, providing respite for the weary and sound sleep. Having thought I would retreat from society on a day mostly off work, it proved to be impossible, beginning with the trip into town to vote. Two measures were on the ballot yesterday. Voters approved a… Read more