Put America First

You know what I would like? I would like to get our country off its dependence on oil. I would like to see all the money we put into this crazy war used to find an cleaner energy source. We would kill two birds with one stone---our dependence on the Middle East for oil and also cleaning up our environment by not burning fossil fuels. Then the people of the middle east can go back to living the way they want, fifth century, with no interference from us or anyone else. Did you ever think that in 2007 we would still be using gas in our cars or oil to heat our homes---I suspect our wealthy oil industry and gas burning car industries are dragging their feet---making huge profits instead of developing cleaner burning products. What other reason could there be?

One other thing, I am tired of spending all this money fighting wars and giving money to countries hoping to keep them on our side, while our own country's infrastructure is falling to pieces. Our quality of life---which use to be the highest in the world is now slowly creeping downward on the list. http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-quality-of-life-map.html We are now number six on that list. We have to turn our thoughts and energy toward our own country and get things back up to par.

I am not a "dove" when it comes to war. If we are attacked---we should retaliate---and it should be fast and hard. I was frustrated in the Viet Nam war and I am frustrated with this war, we are such a military powerhouse, we should be able to get in there and get the job done right (doing whatever it takes) and get out, none of this dilly dallying for years and watching our sons come home in body bags, then insulting their memory by admitting defeat and leaving with our tails between our legs. It was a fast and hard military action that put a stop to Japan in WWII and I'm sure it would do the same now days. (Of course, there is nothing that boosts an economy like a nice long war.)

I also get tired of being the aristocratic Europeans "dirty job" guy. We are like the young puppy who lives for their attention and will do anything to get it. We fight for them while they sit there on the fence, laughing at us behind our backs, and reaping the rewards of our sons deaths. I saw this attitude when I lived in Europe and I know it exists. By the way, Bin Ladan is a member of the Kuwait royal family ---good friends of G. Bush Sr. and W. http://membres.lycos.fr/wotraceafg/carlyle.htm Saddam was an enemy of Kuwait---THAT is why we fought the first gulf war and why we went after Saddam and not Bin Laden after 911.

I am a strong believer of putting America and Americans first. That means making our country the best and safest, and we better do it soon because if you look at who is at our heels, taking business and money and jobs from us, it's the Chinese and Asian Indians. If we don't look after our own interests now we won't be able to compete and will lose everything.

Farmer's Market

My cousin Susie says she could never live in Iowa ever since the day we had to drive one hour to get basil for her pesto recipe. I guess I know what she means. Saturday Phil and I drove all the way to Clive, outside of DesMoines, to drop my Saab off for service. The first real service it's had since we moved here.

Since we were already near Des Moines we headed over to the big Farmer's Market downtown, near the courthouse, something I've been wanting to do for a long time. We took Angie with us, figuring she would enjoy the day out, the people and the possibility of greeting other dogs. It was warm on Saturday, we didn't get to the market until probably close to 11. Phil dropped Angie and me off at the courthouse and went to park the car---we stood watching a juggler while listening to a really good bluegrass group, both of them busking for dollars from the appreciative crowd. The place was packed with all kinds of people, everybody noticed Angie, especially the little kids. I guess a Scotty is an unusual dog in the market, most people opting for the tiny designer dog or the huge rescued one. We saw one dog who looked enough like Pandy to be her twin, Angie smelled her and wagged her tail but I think she knew. . . .

Lots of beautiful vegetables, lots of home made bread, lots of crafts, lots of things to eat, but I was good, I ate my yogurt as I pushed through the crowd. I saw a few things I would have liked to have had, one was a tablecloth, orange, bright, but I don't know where I would use it. Another was an ankle bracelet, beautiful, the sign said $15, but when I tried to buy it she said it was $20!! I don't go for that, so I told her to keep it. Angie enjoyed walking through for about five minutes then she became skittish and stayed close to our feet. Phil bought some great looking tomatoes and some home made bread, I saw lots of cut flowers in almost every other booth. I wanted to buy a bunch, but I don't think they would have made it back to Humboldt. Angie made it almost to the end then she just stopped, would not move, she was hot and tired. Phil had to carry her the rest of the way. While we waited for him to get the car I poured water over her head, she wouldn't drink any but I knew she was thirsty. Finally, when in the car, we got her to drink, she panted for about a half an hour as we drove north.

All in all it was a wonderful day, I know when Celia comes to visit later this summer we will head down there again, maybe check out the market and some of the great looking restaurants in the area too.

Humboldt Fourth of July

We had a good Fourth of July here in Humboldt. As soon as we got up Phil headed outside to wash the cars, he has them both clean and shiny and beautiful. I goofed around doing some watercolors on the deck. It wasn't until later in the day we realized we missed the pancake breakfast and antique car show at the fairgrounds!!

I made a covered dish for both parties we were heading to, and then got dressed and RESTED, still tired from the surgery. We headed to Candis's house, she always has a nice party under the big trees in her yard. It was hot yesterday, but a cool breeze in the shade of those trees made it quite pleasant. Brenda and her mom were there when we showed up and other people came over the next hour. Candis had games for the kids, her Dad was there with a big tall hat, they are nice people. Marilyn came, then Judy and Bill with their daughter and grandchildren. Got some great photos of everyone. I drank my water while everyone chowed down on Made Rites, all kinds of salads and great looking deserts. Everyone felt sorry for me, but I told them I had to just make up my mind it wouldn't bother me---what else can I do---I have chosen the "impossible to cheat" diet and I'm all the better for it!

We stayed at Candis's until about 5:50 then headed over to the Neilson's who live behind us. They were finished eating and we had a nice visit with the group there. Before we knew it time came to get into our chairs and watch the parade. Marilyn came over to watch it with us. We always enjoy the parade, but the Republican Woman's elephant that blows bubbles was NOT in the parade!!! How disappointed I was! There were fire trucks with blaring horns and sirens, horses, tractors, old cars, floats and marching bands, so really, what else can you ask for??

When the parade was over I felt tired. We had two hours until the fireworks, but I didn't make it, had to lie down, fell asleep right away and heard the booms in my dreams.

Another good Fourth of July---wish my girls could have been here to see it with us.

We Are Stayin!!!

Well, no need to move back east, we are stayin in Iowa!! And we are happy about that! A week before Phil left for PA he got a job offer from a company right here in Humboldt. I got the phone call while riding around visiting with cousin Susie, he said "I got the job, now what do we do?" The bottom line was--we had nothing in writing from Born Free as to what they would actually do for us when they "invested" in the new factory lot in PA. I told Phil, lets get something in writing and go from there. Well, you know what I'm going to say, don't you? All of a sudden all the "investing to make it a success" fell away and we were left with a dried up bone of an offer. They would buy our house for the middle estimate of it's worth, any money we put into the house when we moved here and will lose because we are leaving so soon is "not Born Free's problem". They would move us, but not in the Allied Van Lines way they did when they brought us out here, but in the U-Haul It way of college kids heading out into their life after graduation. Of course, they wanted Phil in PA asap, so the UHauling would be left to fresh out of surgery Connie. Phil said "we have a grand piano, for goodness sake!" But Doug said that is what they would pay for.

Well, he pretty much made up our mind with that. Phil gave his resignation and you could have knocked Doug over with a feather----never dreamed Phil would quit. Here is what I have to say, they lost a hard working, company man in Phil Overby.

So, the neighbors gave us a good bye party, ha ha, it's so sweet and funny. Tonight the whole neighborhood is getting together for what was once a goodbye party but is now a neighborhood party. I'm looking forward to it.

This morning I sat on the porch, its cool, the clouds were blown into a feather like pattern above, a runner trotted by. Birds chirped. I am happy here.

Imstilliniowa No More

I am sad to say that I will not be living in Iowa much longer. Phil has been transferred by his company and as soon as our house sells I will be heading with him to Pennsylvania to set up a new Born Free Factory Lot to serve the North East--from Ohio to Virginia to Maine.

I am sad to have to leave. Humboldt Iowa has been very good to and for me. I have blossomed here, become a better person.

Ringling Brothers Circus Poster Uncovered in Iowa

A WONDERFUL thing was uncovered here in central Iowa last week.

As the owner of a little building in Vincent Iowa was renovating the building she readied it for new siding. They tore off the old siding and old tar paper and a gem of a historic poster was uncovered. The local historians have pinpointed it's date to be around 1910/1911 when the Ringling Brothers Circus visited the Ft. Dodge area. After the circus left, the poster was covered up and hasn't seen the light of day until last week. Now that it has been found again the colors are as bright as they were the day it was made! The black tar paper did it's job!! The poster isn't in the best of shape, but parts of it could be saved. I have included only a few of many photos I have of it in this blog. I tried to contact the Ringling Brothers Circus but my email was deleted without being read. I have contacted the Smithsonian, but havn't hear back from them.

What a wonderful bit of Americana!!

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Does anybody notice
these blogs I write each week?
I try to make them interesting,
even going back and giving a tweak.
I write my little story
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