“What Cats Like”
“I’ve been reading about cats,” my husband, Peter, tells me. Peter has never had a cat before.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Salt is not good for their kidneys. We have to give Felix unsalted fish.”
Opinions
Dear Editor,
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 was “a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” in Maine. The 39th such day in the U.S. since Jan. 1, 2023 according to the Gun Violence Archive. Steven King, Maine’s popular author of fiction and op-ed writer for New York Times wrote his opinion in the 10/...
“Fancy New Gloves”
My Auntie Jo gave me a beautiful pair of gloves yesterday. They are elegant, with embroidery on the top, and I immediately did what I usually do—I put them away for safekeeping.
“I’ll wear these to something special!” I told myself.
I have a date to go with my niece to see “...
Q: What do you hear from Iowans about housing?
A: In August I wrapped up my 43rd year in a row holding at least one meeting in every county across the state. From urban areas to county seats and smaller rural communities, I regularly hear from employers, civic leaders and chambers of commerce...
In this environment of existential fear over climate change and a growing list of societal challenges, a quiet revolution is taking place across the United States and the world. Ecovillages and intentional communities are sprouting up, offering a unique vision for the future. These non-religious,...
“Celebrating Halloween”
I have always loved Halloween, and I love it now more than ever.
I love to get in costume and have fun with other people in costume. People seem freer when they are dressed in different clothes. They seem to have a little more fun. I like the challenge of making or putting...
The Farm Bill reauthorization remains a major topic of conversation back home in Iowa and on Capitol Hill. I have been clear with my colleagues—on both sides of the aisle—that we need to get the Farm Bill written, passed, and signed into law as quickly as possible. From foreign animal disease...
Q: What is Character Counts Week?
A: For nearly three decades, I’ve supported passage of a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. Senate to commemorate the third week of October as Character Counts Week to celebrate virtues that strengthen our society. As Americans, we must pull together and live up to...
“Our Devices”
My sister sends a text, telling me she is making lasagna, and asks if I will bring a cake.
“Sounds great!” I readily agree. “When?”
There is no response.
I know we are celebrating my mother’s birthday early, but I have no idea when, so I don’t know when this cake will be needed. I...
As the world watches the ongoing crisis in Gaza unfold, it is crucial to shed light on the deeply troubling aspects of the conflict—the dehumanization of the people involved and the grotesque military mentality emanating from Israel and its supporters (including the United States).
It’s...
On Friday, Oct. 6, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists launched an all-out assault on Israel. Terrorists parachuted into a music festival killing hundreds of innocent people, broke into homes murdering entire families, and in one of the most gruesome displays of evil, murdered innocent...