Dexter Iowa Community Site

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."

Due to a random winter cold that has settled into my chest, I felt that rather than exposing you to my cold, I would instead expose you to random thoughts…Please pass the Nyquil and let’s get started shall we?

1. I spent a good deal of time this week reminiscing about growing up on the farm with a complete stranger. What is amazing to me is how farm kids have this collective memory that isn’t really vastly different from one another even though the time period or the location can be different. It is always fun visiting about the old days and it brought a smile to my face remembering those days.

2. I don’t think we ever truly realize what a great invention Nyquil really was. I mean sure, we could try to use coconut crème pie or even a good chunk of left over fruit cake to try to cure the common cold, but isn’t there something sweet about a green syrup induced 8-hour coma to make us feel better?

3. Winter doesn’t seem to know if it is coming or going these days. Unfortunately the short melting we had early this week won’t stick around by the time you get the chance to read this. I did note that the unseasonably cold temperatures are coming just in time for my first week on call at work. Yeah me!

4. There is absolutely no way I could afford to burn corn any more than absolutely necessary this year in the furnace so it’s been pellets all the way this year. Knock on wood (or small wood pressed pellets of warm love) I’ve only had one major incident with the furnace acting up. This incidentally led to the great fish massacre of 2011. Who knew guppies couldn’t survive 42 degree water?

5. Max and I had a “Super Dad” day this past weekend. It was off to do a little shopping where I noted he has become quite the bargain hunter then off to Red Robin for supper. After a meal which included enough steak fries to make a horse sick we headed off to the pet store where he picked up a fire-engine red Beta that he has named Kevin. So far, Kevin is doing well and keeps an eye on the furnace when I’m gone.

6. Followers of this column and the many “This old Dexter house” updates on Facebook will be glad to know that the game room is now receiving paint…and the winner is …Cardinal and Gold!

7. I would mention to my friend Gary that there’s a big game coming up this weekend. My beloved Packers will be playing somewhere, against some team that I just can’t seem to remember. I’m sure that he’ll fill me in if the other team happens to win…otherwise I’m sure he’ll keep away from the good natured brow beating that he’ll receive.

8. I’m still going through boxes and boxes of things at the house, trying to decide what to keep and what to throw away. I’ve always been a pack rat of sorts so throwing things out is a major step for me. Not always easy but sometimes worth it. The one thing that makes me most insane is trying to find the thing I’ve packed up and set aside that I want to give away and yet not being able to find it. I did however finally find my check book which was a great revelation in itself.

9. I am going to go out on a limb here and predict that the economic recovery will stall and reverse itself if gas prices hit $3.25 per gallon.

10. Finally this week, I’ve been doing some journaling lately on thoughts of kindness. It seems like such a simple task. Being kind to others. At home, at work, at random places throughout our day. In one of my thoughts this week I explored the people I encounter that I’m not as kind as I could be each day. It was interesting to note where and why this occurred, and is something I’m working on being more aware of this week to see if that small change brings about bigger changes. I do know if we all were a little more compassionate and kind to one another we could make a big difference in so many lives.

See you next week…remember, we’re all in this together.