That might be one of my most hated phrases in the English language. Why? Because it’s EVERYWHERE right now. The Iowa caucuses are only a week away, so most of the Presidential hopefuls are making Iowa their home away from home right now as well as spending mega bucks on TV ads. I realize there are still a lot of… Read more »
One of the best things about living in Iowa is the access we have to Presidential candidates. Our First in the Nation caucuses make ours an important state in the selection of nominees. In years past I have gone to countless “town hall” meetings and met many candidates. And I mean candidates from both parties- as I’ve said many times… Read more »
Someone please explain to me- in small words- why Daylight Saving Time is still a thing in 2019 (and yes, it’s Daylight Saving- NOT Savings). First off, a little history. Daylight Saving time was first implemented here in the US during World War I to conserve energy and was modeled after what many European countries were also doing at… Read more »
Today is World Mental Health Day. This is a day near and dear to my heart. I have struggled with my own mental health most of my life. I was formally diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety in my late 20s. I’ve been on medication ever since. I have tried to quit medication, under medical supervision, twice. Both times my… Read more »
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s not a funny day, but it’s an important one. In spite of all the gains we’ve made in mental health awareness there are many myths about suicide and the suicidal person. The one that makes me the most mad is “People who say they are suicidal really aren’t- they just want attention”. Now… Read more »
No really- it is. I am sick of reporters, social media memes, etc. rejoicing over finding something a politician or other public figure said in 1985 and holding it against them if they feel differently today. There is nothing wrong with changing your mind as you mature, or at new facts become available. In fact, I would argue that if… Read more »
Our local embarrassment, Congressman Steve King of Iowa’s 4th District, was at it again this week. Apparently admitting he’s a white nationalist, being openly mysogynistic, and just being all over ignorant wasn’t enough. Apparently being so generally repulsive that his own party has barred him from serving on any committees or positions of leadership wasn’t enough. Nope. This past week,… Read more »
For years I’ve seen people announce – with various degrees of fanfare – that they are leaving social media. I HATE it when someone makes a huge deal out of leaving- it really smacks of baiting – i.e. putting something up for the sore purpose of seeing how many people will reply and cheer you up. It reeks of narcissism… Read more »
At the time I’m writing this there have been 2 mass shootings in the US in the past 48 hours. I pray there isn’t another by the time this goes live. While I do believe prayer is powerful and can move mountains, anyone with an IQ higher than their show size should have figured out by now that thoughts and… Read more »
For some reason lately I’ve heard a lot of “It’s probably the first time a kid from Iowa saw (insert marginal / alternative/ unusual thing here)” OR “what would a kid in Iowa think of (insert same things here)”. Why is it always Iowa? Why not Kansas or Missouri or any state south of the Mason DIxon line? Why is… Read more »