Opinion
If variety is the spice of life, I live on a bland diet
I had a note a few months ago that it was time to visit the eye doctor. Then COVID arrived and I just put it off. Then I started using a magnifying lens to read the fine print. And then things started to look a bit blurry on the computer, which required me to zoom in to work more comfortably. So I finally broke down and made an appointment. We went through the whole hand sanitizer and taking my temperature when I walked in the door.
Letter to the Editor: Freedom from Evil is paid for with Blood and Sacrifice
A number of years ago I found myself sitting in one of the front rows of a church listening to my son-in-law deliver the Eulogy for his dad. The heart of the eulogy was that Richard had been a “simple man” – loving father, devoted husband, good friend, a union welder. Just a rock-solid man . . . someone that was exactly what you saw.Jeremy’s eulogy came to mind as I mulled over some thoughts for Memorial Day and the over 1.
Nothing like a pandemic to test Moms
This Mother’s Day, like everything else this year will be different. You probably won’t go out for lunch. And yet it will be the same, if you do get carry out you will probably be the one to clean it up.This year moms have had to pull triple duty. Not only running the house and taking care of the kids the state made you honorary teachers! Like moms do, you clenched you’re jaw and figured it out.
It's "Fair" to say that I'm a city girl
Most of the time I love this job. And most of the time I'm the weird untraditional sort of "reporter" that isn't doing it like the big guys. I'm sure you wouldn't catch a single one of them giving a hug to a gal crying because she just lost everything she owned, Nor would you see them pondering if they should go to the nearest ATM and give the gal some cash to get her through.
Laugh with Kathy: Postal Emergency
A few years ago, when I was expecting the arrival of my first grandchild, I purchased a sheet of stamps and framed it for the baby’s room. I told my daughter-in-law that the gift served two purposes. It was decorative art for the baby’s room and in case of a postal emergency; she could just break the glass and use the stamps. We laughed at the time but I got a strange piece of mail in my box this week and it seems that “postal emergencies” are a thing. Letter to the Editor: 2 Week tour cancelled, all monies not refundable
Vinton
native Jesse Hepker was very excited for his senior year. After being
nominated by his high school choir teacher, Jesse was selected to
represent his state as part of the Iowa Ambassadors of Music on a two
week trip to Europe this July. Jesse should have been joining 3,700
other music students and families of the US on what would have been
the trip of lifetime.
Tolerance will not be Tolerated
During the COVID-19 pandemic it has been interesting to watch the drive this has created to internet use. People are now finding that you need to go to online platforms for essentials like groceries if they cannot go out. We now use it to hold meetings or to even see the doctor. I actually loved my online doctor's visit. I can talk to the doctor in my living room, and NOT have to drive 2 hours.
Letter to the Editor: Drug Effectiveness Discussion
Editor:I hope none of you Gould, Linsey, or Schwartz come down with COVID-19. I also hope if you do get it you can recover at home without drug therapy. If you do feel shortness of breath - don't delay call your medical practitioner immediately. If you are unfortunate enough to be placed on a ventilator pray for a miracle for you have an 80-90% chance of not surviving.
Getting lost in the curls
In all of the COVID-19 concerns, and wondering about the future, and shaking my head at what we are doing to ourselves because of it, sometimes I need some time to step away from it all. It seems like I need to do that more, the longer this goes on. With all of the debates on the Opinion page about what we should do, shouldn't do, who did what, who didn't do what and what we are doing now or aren't doing now, I try to follow along and figure out what I think for myself.
Laugh with Kathy: Known Traveler Number
Shortly after we moved to rural Benton County, the local newspaper printed a series of articles about disaster preparedness. The premise of the article was that if there was a disaster in your area and you had to leave your house for a week, could you grab everything you need in less than ten minutes? Then there would be a short list of items you should be able to access quickly.