Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Iowa’ Category

Autumn in Iowa

A cozy eatery on the DesMoines River

A cozy eatery on the DesMoines River

Our plans to camp flexed to a day trip to SE Iowa.  On small roads circumnavigating Iowa City’s Football mania, we wound our way south.  Bands of rain rolled through driving the temperatures down to 50 degrees and sometimes 48.  It’s been this way almost since autumn began in September.  A radical change from the above average temperatures we had then.  A colleague noted the other day, “It feels like October – late October.”

We pumped up the economy of Cantril with a stop at the Dutchman’s Store.  Such an array of goods.  Baked goods, cheeses, meats, bulk items like flours, mixes, nuts, dried fruits, spices and herbs; kitchen utensils, pots and pans, fabrics, outerwear clothing, canning supplies, strike anywhere matches, and bulk candies.  Vegetables in season, apples, mums along the railing.  Such excitement.  Great prices.  A good feel.

Then, we took back roads through Bentonsport (Mason House Bed and Breakfast, and the great point museum) and on to Bonaparte’s Retreat.  This old mill has successfully served as a restaurant since before we came to Iowa.  Each autumn – usually the second weekend of October is their Festival of Van Buren County with all the shops and villages cooperating to host visitors.  Very neat event.  Good feel.

Then, back home through rolling waves of rain, more easily through IC than we though possible.  All the goods go into the freezer for a couple of weeks to kill any moths – I learned the hard way.  We will package up items for Dan and Nancy and send them off as a care package.

Last big market was today downtown so we took that in first and enjoyed a breakfast burrito, coffee and roll and strolling around – in the mist.  A good day.

Read Full Post »

Summer Haze

Early Morning In Iowa The early morning sun tries to burn off the accumulated haze of several days.  We might actually break the 80 degree barrier for one of the first times this year.

Read Full Post »

Good Grief, Charlie Brown! What started as lovely, clear, mild quintessential “high pressure” weather just right for draining and drying, has converted to thunderstorm and tornado warnings…again.

From the week-long geological workshop where we studied differences between alpine and continental glaciers, we participants can more easily differentiate between features found in both types of glaciers. Land features such as “moraines.” We traversed the Iowa landscape with its eskers, pahas and moraines only to land in Eastern Iowa that has had its fill of meteorological “more rains.”

Never a dull moment in the Midwest, at least not this year.

Read Full Post »

Silence is Golden

The Day After is a dream. The sun is bright, temperatures mild for January in Iowa, and the phones are silent! You’d think the candidates could figure out that people would either be going to caucus or not at the late date of mid-afternoon of the day of caucus and that no recorded phone call will influence anyone in a positive manner.

Neighbors we often don’t see (what does this say about
our society?) showed up, caught up on news as we registered, looked over platform items, and enjoyed the current art show at our caucus location of CS PS in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Why caucus? It’s a good way to show your interest in your country. OK, that sounds so shallowly “patriotic” but it is true!

Caucus has an interesting history and, depending on your source and philosophical preference, is either an honored Native American tradition of everyone (including children) having a say and a
vote on an issue, or comes from the Latin meaning “drinking vessel” or is connected to Tammany Hall shenanigans. Probably all three. But, people gather, talk, persuade, stand together, stand alone, commit or not, and come to some consensus. 15% of the total count of participants are needed for a candidate to advance. If a group has less than 15%, then the individuals can: go as a group to another candidate, split up and go their separate ways, become uncommitted, or go home. The latter is really short sighted, as one can “lobby” for delegates in another “camp” and insist on certain platforms being on the agenda. The platforms really are important.

After viable candidates are selected, delegates are confirmed. These go on to the county, then the state then national conventions. Some change of votes is allowed. Then, the numbers and viable candidates are called in with witnesses making sure all the “i’s” are dotted and the “t’s” crossed, so everything is up-and-up. On to the business of the night. The two parties address the issues and candidate selection very differently. For coverage go to The Gazette and read on. Look at the pictures, too.

The presidential candidates are a small part of the scheme. Granted, they are the “glitzy” part, but truly a small part. The platforms that individuals or groups want advanced are the meat. So, I put mine out there on educational issues. Better pay, reform or repeal of the woefully punitive and underfunded “nickelbee” (No Child Left Behind Act), and support for public education rather than private or charter schools.

Our country is very different from other countries. We have a tremendous opportunity to see initial candidates, not just the few that are put up by the parties in control. To a degree the latter does happen, but Iowans and New Hampshirites show the rest of the country the importance of paying attention, of speaking up, of advancing the country on local issues as well as national and international matters. It starts with One. We are the Power of One. (See Bryce Courtenay). Contrary to the stereotypical images of Iowa and New Hampshire, and remember I am a three-decade resident of the first and a native of the second, both states are more urban and suburban than “rural.” We do have good heads on us, tend to think a bit more independently in some areas than other people in other states, take to matters perhaps a bit more slowly, checking things out before jumping on the bandwagon. Does that make us better? No. Just a bit more realistic. Then again, so the arguments can go on and on. They really miss the point.

We need all sorts to participate. We need many perspectives to work well. We are strongest when we affirm each other and the process…and follow the rules of how candidates are elected. (Think back to 2000)

Keep your eye on New Hampshire and then get ready for Tsunami Tuesday in February. But, remember to watch the other states, too.



Read Full Post »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 217 other followers