Category: Iowa

The Tennis Shoe and the Broken Window

Posted in classmates, college, high school, Iowa, Iowa State University, locker room, memoir, physical fitness, physical fitness award, softball, teacher, windowLeave a comment

It was senior year in high school. I was on my last semester of PE, my least favorite class. I maintained a straight-A average in all other classes. Not PE. It alternated between a B and a C. I was feeling good. We were in our next-to last unit, the physical fitness award. I already… Continue reading The Tennis Shoe and the Broken Window

Government Cheese and Pinto Beans

Posted in beans, dad, government, hospital, Iowa, memoir, mental health, moccasins, mom, secret, therapyLeave a comment

I was nine or ten when my mom took me and my younger siblings downtown to a place to get some free food for poor people.  Our dad was out of work for six weeks. My mother was humiliated. We waited in line until it was our turn. As the worker handed Mom her block… Continue reading Government Cheese and Pinto Beans

Feeling Better

Posted in animals, birdfeeder, birds, Depression, dogs, exercise, food, Iowa, medications, melanoma, memoir, mood, nature, sunshine, ZumbaLeave a comment

I have some down days every year, but mostly I don’t. I know I’m lucky. I have also aligned my life to feel better. Coincidentally, a relative’s therapist told her the five things she needs every day to get out of her funk. Nature – I grew up outside in Iowa. As kids we played… Continue reading Feeling Better

It’s All About the Bacon

Posted in animal welfare, bacon, Beyond Burger, BLT, California, Impossible burger, Incogmeato, Iowa, meat, memoir, pig farmers, restaurant, vegetarianLeave a comment

I grew up in Iowa, and I’ve always loved a BLT, but now that I’m living in California, it has to be a BLTA, with avocado. Of my three kids, none of them eats pork anymore. One eats poultry and fish, one eats fish, and one is a true vegetarian.  No vegans, though. They all… Continue reading It’s All About the Bacon

My Friend, the Thief

Posted in babysitting, bus, cherry pie, department store, Des Moines, downtown, flat feet, Iowa, memoir, shoplifting, shopping center, store, store security, troll dollsLeave a comment

We took the bus to go shopping downtown.  We weren’t old enough yet to drive, and it was a boring Saturday. Debbie suggested the shopping trip. We had a shopping center (before malls) within walking distance of our houses. A bus trip was more adventurous. Debbie was always up for adventure. She had moved in… Continue reading My Friend, the Thief

Social Butterfly

Posted in babysitting, childhood, chores, gifts, Iowa, memoir, parents, party, siblings, sleeping bag, sleepover, slumber party, social butterflyLeave a comment

I remember it as clearly as yesterday. The visual part is a little fuzzy, but the words are still there, fifty plus years later. I was in the basement where my mom was doing yet another load of laundry. “There’s a slumber party Saturday night at Lisa’s. Can I go?” My mom put down the… Continue reading Social Butterfly

Be Careful Who You Hike With

Posted in attitude, bobcat, boyfriend, bull, California, coyote, dogs, hiking, humor, Iowa, Mount Diablo State Park, mountain lion, nature, outdoors, Pebble Beach, relationshipsLeave a comment

First of all, the title should be Be Careful with Whom You Hike, but I figured only English teachers would read the post if I did it that way. An old bf asked me to go on a hike with him. I said yes a little too quickly. Looking back, Bob (not his real name)… Continue reading Be Careful Who You Hike With