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."

Commonly called “writers block” the lack of any definable topic or thought sequence is the bane of all good writers. Fortunately for me, I’m not that good, so I’ve always got something spinning around in my head. Sometimes they are notes that get stuffed away in pockets in my mind, stuff that would make an entire column or perhaps a book if I actually took the time to think through them. But most of the time they just sit there until I sit down at the computer and start banging away at the keyboard, which is why you, the faithful reader gets hit with random thoughts. I usually don’t try to double them up week to week, but sometimes the thoughts just don’t come as they should. My apologies in advance…

1. For those of you who are computer literate, take a look at these photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22136990@N00/sets/72157605627627916/ They are of the town of Oakville, IA during the 2008 floods. I’ve seen recent pictures of what is left of this town. It’s spooky now, with every house that’s still on its foundation completely vacant and stripped. Houses in the middle of fields, in the spot where they rested after being washed away from the flood waters, and giant piles of sand in the middle of fields that have been scrapped off to allow them to be farmed. It’s spooky to think about it…the total destruction of a town about the size of Menlo. Gone…all gone…
2. Ok…I have to agree with Grandpa Chuck. This spring has been too darn cold. It looks as though everything survived the dip towards frost this weekend in the garden, but I can’t remember the last time I mowed the yard all day in a sweatshirt.
3. Spring brings wonderful things. Flowers, baseball, baby animals…and Rhubarb bread…yum!
4. I’ve promised myself not to get caught up in the drama with the Roundhouse. Going to stick to that promise the best I can.
5. The recent rains have kept things pretty wet. The largest snapping turtle I have ever seen was wandering across the road not far from the house one afternoon last week as I was driving home from work. I need to remember to tell the dog to be careful when he’s out playing.
6. We had to put Tracy the cat down last week. After 8 years as a companion to the family she had gotten quite ill and was only going to get worse. I was proud of the kids for handling it as well as they did, there were a few tears shed, but they already are looking forward to picking out a new kitty.
7. Does anyone have soybeans planted yet? I saw a few fields in southern Iowa that look to be in but they are few and far between.
8. I’ve enjoyed watching the work as it progresses along in the rehabilitation of the old Garwood Rest Home property in Dexter. What a magnificent old Victorian. It’s nice to see that someone has appreciated it for what it was and not torn it down to make way for some pressed wood house.
9. Finally this week, I would sure like to go fishing, except my pole is in the camper and it’s in the shop. I should probably just sneak up there and get it, or call them and see if the camper has been fixed yet.

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