“A Few Words”
We had dinner with friends last night.
There is nothing unusual about that, except these were all people I did not know; people my husband, Peter, had met while taking his daily hike in Mexico.
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To the outside world, it seemed like a busy week at the State Capitol. Several controversial bills were debated that made big headlines again.
In reality, the Iowa Legislature is no closer to adjournment than last week. The Republican leaders in the Iowa Senate called off debate again this week...
Some inquiries regarding my most recent column have been relayed to me via my mother, and as I will be well on my way (if not already landed and settled) in Japan when this week’s issue hits the press, I thought I would use this column to answer some of these questions.
The flight from JNB to NRT...
Numerous times in years past I’ve expressed my impatience with legislators’ attempts to quiet public screams to “just do something” after a mass shooting—often at a school. We’ve become hooked on unhelpful feel-good legislative solutions, while achieving little. Solutions tend to be needlessly...
“Burro in Pants”
I saw the burro wearing pants and carrying a basket filled with paper flowers.
“Oh, my gosh!” I said. “That poor burro.”
There are several burros with this job in this Mexican town and, as burro employment goes, it’s a pretty easy gig. The burro wears a rustic basket filled with...
There was no debate this week as the Senate was busy working on the Governor’s appointment nominees. This process is similar to that of a subcommittee with three senators assigned to each name. The next step is to contact everyone and then make the decision to recommend the candidate to the...
The Iowa Legislature is supposed to wrap up work at the end of April, but progress slowed significantly this week.
The reason for it is pretty simple—politics—and it’s no secret at the State Capitol. Things have ground to a near halt because the Republican leaders running the House and Senate aren...
Dear Editor,
“Play Ball!” cries the umpire. It’s that time of year for America’s game of baseball. Whether you like the crack of the bat, the pop of the ball hitting the catcher’s glove, the food and drink at the concession stand, or just absorbing the moment in the stands with family and or...
My husband, Peter, is trying to impress a local collie.
Peter knows better than this. He had a collie for many years. Collies are not easily impressed. They have their own priorities and their own agenda and if it happens to coincide with yours, you can pretend they did something on your behalf—...
For years, leaders in Iowa’s business community have been encouraging lawmakers to do more to address the state’s looming workforce shortage.
While it’s been on the horizon for over a decade with Iowa’s aging population, the pandemic made our workforce shortage even more acute.
There are things...
By now many will no doubt be aware that I am, once again, overseas.
This current venture marks my fifth trip to South Africa to spend my Spring with my sweetheart.
This time, however, will be a first for both of us in one very exciting way: the next flight is one we’ll BOTH be on.
No goodbyes (...
