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Consider this quote from Abe Lincoln
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
There is an old saying which probably applies more to spring cleaning than the end of another year, out with the old and in with the new. However, since this is the last column of the year how about we take a minute to clean up a few things with some random thoughts.
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I hate cold weather. Whoever is responsible for being upset that there wasn’t near enough snow on the ground and kept wishing for more, please send me an email…I’ll be at your house in an hour with a large stick meant for your noggin!
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It is interesting to me how much different the weather can be in our own state. My 45 mile commute every day has shown me just how much. I’ve always known the weather to be different east of Highway 169 than it is west. The city of Adair also seems to be another of those imaginary lines. As is the bubble around my office in Atlantic when I’m wishing it would rain.
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The kids and I spent the weekend on our annual Christmas trip to a hotel for some bonding time. After a few games of Ticket to Ride we settled in to go to sleep. I was proud to say that the person keeping everyone awake with their snoring was not this writer.
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Interestingly enough, we went to Hy-Vee for Chinese food on Saturday night and my fortune cookie read, “You will become an accomplished writer.” I can’t make this stuff up!
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Word around the region is that the flu has started to make its annual visits. If you haven’t gotten your shot you should do so now.
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I saw the new Star Wars movie over the weekend. I will try not to give away anything, but I’m curious why they can build a spaceship that can fly at the speed of light, but yet can’t install an elevator on the island and instead have to use terribly slick looking stone steps.
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Christmas lunch at Mom’s house never disappoints, especially when you get to bring home left over pea salad and the uneaten portion of pickled herring!
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There is someone out there who is no longer in my circle of friends and used to read these columns regularly. Even though we don’t speak any more, nor do I have any desire to have any contact, I want them to know that I forgive them. Oh, and my life is so much better now, thank you.
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I’m sure over the next few days, your mind might go towards thoughts of what changes you would like to make in the New Year. Choose wisely and don’t forget that anything is possible if you work hard enough to make it happen.
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I’ve paid a little attention to the candidates this year. I’m still waiting for someone to come along who really makes me excited about their ability to lead this country. It seems to me that everyone is in it for themselves at this point.
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Remember that basketball game I talked about last week. It’s a good time to remind everyone that these are young people playing. As fans we need to remember that and make sure any of our comments while in the stands are appropriate and positive. And for Pete’s sake…don’t ride the referees so hard will you? I’m sure you and I would do just as lousy job as they do.
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Finally this week…There are a few videos going around the internet, and possibly posted to YouTube which show Iowa in the 1950s and 60s. Specifically they show farming and trains, two of my great loves. I’ve tried to share them with the kids to show them how my grandparents and parents farmed, and even somewhat when I was a young boy on the farm. Make sure to share those old movies and photos and stories with the people you love. Not everyone will care, but the one who does should be the one who gets to be the keeper of those memories. See you next week…remember, we’re all in this together.