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."

August is fleeting fast, so let’s jump right in and roll with a few random thoughts.

1. I’ve spent the last few days picking grapes for a local vineyard and winery. One doesn’t really think of all the work that goes into growing and harvesting the grapes before wine is made, although after seeing them in my sleep I’m thinking I’ll stick to water.

2. Although the parade was kind of small this year I thought the crowds for the Dexter Fall Festival were good and it seemed as though everyone enjoyed themselves. Citizens of the year, Ron and Joyce Fisher were an excellent choice and we’ve been lucky to have them in our community!

3. I am thankful that my friends on the east coast survived the earthquake and then the hurricane. Don’t fear folks I have been promised that they will call me the minute they see a plague of locusts or the seven horsemen coming.

4. Although the corn is still green it looks to be starting to dry down and harvest is just around the corner so remember to slow down and watch the crossings for slow moving equipment.

5. Football season is here! It’s been enjoyable to watch the games the last few weeks. I’m excited for the kick off of the college season and was impressed with what I heard of both Earlham and WCV teams the other night in their battle. I think they will have good seasons ahead.

6. The youngest is playing Pee-Wee football this year, another first for him and he told me the other night he had hoped they would move him from wide receiver to center because, “I won’t have to run very far then.”

7. I’m amazed how life works sometimes. We all have people that have come into our lives and disappeared over the years. In some cases we are really glad they have done so and hope they stay away and in other cases it was like there wasn’t a twenty-three year “time out”. It is the latter which we are most greatful for and the ones who mean the most to us.

8. I’ve been doing a little reading in between hunting for a job. I was reading an article the other day, which talked about how we relate to other people. It made me wonder how many times I’ve not been as friendly to someone as I could have been? Perhaps it’s another thing which we all need to work on as we get busier and just a little more stressed out. In these hard times, it is important that we remember that we aren’t alone and sometimes just a small gesture can go a long way in helping someone else.

9. I guess my column worked last week as the Corn Growers Association didn’t even wait for it to go to press before they pulled the trophy and called a mulligan on the entire thing. I still think that design would be great for a new trophy between Iowa and that school west of the Missouri river.

10. Dexter may not have the best streets, but the new sidewalks going in around town sure are nice aren’t they?

11. I got the opportunity to spend a little time at the Farmers Market in Redfield a few weeks ago. What a great time it was, even with a little bit of rain! From pie to tomatoes to honey to puppies, one never really knows what you will find there.

12. Finally this week, I’ve built a campfire ring in my back yard and have spent the last few nights out there just sitting and watching the stars. I needed a place away from the house to just “be still” and listen to what God has been wanting me to hear lately. I’m pretty sure I’m hearing the message but not sure how to get there so it will be an interesting journey, but before I tell to much about that conversation I think I better go back out and spend a little time thanking Him for the wonderful things in my life…besides, maybe the smoke smell will cover the smell of spoiled grapes.

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