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."

It’s hard to believe that another month has flown by while we have not really been paying attention. It might have a little bit to do with the excessive heat the past week or so but at this point my attention span is only long enough for some random thoughts so let’s get started shall we?

1. I’m not a fan of hot weather. I kind of feel that may have been why I’ve never found pleasure in the thoughts of retiring somewhere in the southwest part of our country. Of course, if you ask me my opinion on this six months from now I’m sure the answer will be different.

2. Make sure to mark your calendars for August 6^th where the good folks in Dexter will be celebrating the 100^th birthday of the Community House commonly referred to around these parts as the “Roundhouse” which is not only shape incorrect but has done more to confuse rail fans across Iowa than one will ever know.

3. I’m not a fan of kidney stones and I’m sure glad that I’ve not been a hospital patient more than I have been. I don’t imagine I’m the kind of person that needs to be allowed to do things while on narcotic medication, including debating the finer points of how a CT scanner works while removing my pants.

4. After my short stay in the hospital I was sent home to finish passing the stone; let’s really call it what it was shouldn’t we? I was sent home to die with a handful of prescriptions a plastic jug to collect my daily samples, a strainer and a rather large plastic specimen jar just in case I want to keep the stone on the shelf next to the kids’ school pictures. I took my business to Montross’ in Earlham and in my semi fog spent the better part of three minutes wondering why I couldn’t get into the pharmacy until I realized they had moved across the street.

5. State Fair is only a few weeks away and I’m excited to get the opportunity to drive the tram this year for a few days. I’ll be the one waving frantically at people I know while driving up on the curb I’m sure.

6. Those young people, including my oldest, who I just finally came to terms with graduating high school move into college soon. Another big part of the circle of life that one can prepare a lifetime for and never quite be prepared to have happen.

7. Kindness….. we need to pass more of it to each other.

8. I don’t care who you cast a ballot for this November. Regardless of who gets elected to replace the current occupant of the Oval Office, this country….you and I have to do our own part to make it a place where our children can feel safe and if we wait for government to find a solution, the solution in the end will be a loss of our voice in the process.

9. Is anyone else wondering why hundreds of people can walk around for hours looking for cartoons animals on their phones but can’t seem to walk into church for an hour on Sundays?

10. Finally this week. If you’re doing any home canning the next month, be sure to have your pressure canners tested before you use them (I believe the Extension Service still provides this service) and use caution. We want you to be around to enjoy the bounty of Summer! See you next week…remember, we’re all in this together.