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Category Archives: General
Homer’s
There is a bar in Vail, Iowa, called “Homer’s.” The bar has been there since I was a kid. The owners have changed, the name hasn’t. Francis Devaney was an old bachelor that owned the original Homer’s. His nickname was … Continue reading
Big Yellow Taxi
When I was a child, our home had a row of American elm trees separating our property from our neighbor to the south. I climbed one of those trees so often that I could get to a branch 20 feet … Continue reading
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Tagged Cedar Rapids Gazette, derecho, Dutch elm, Iowa, Joni Mitchell, Vail
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John Patrick Ryan 1953-2020
Our brother, John Ryan, died sometime during the weekend of August 28-30, although the official date of his death is September 1, we were notified on the 31st, a day earlier. Some things just don’t make sense. John was a … Continue reading
Popcorn, Peanuts & Cracker Jack
Sunday afternoons were slotted for room inspection during my childhood. My father was a military man and he believed in duty, integrity and most important of all, humility. As the youngest of six children, it never occurred to me to … Continue reading
Take A Pill
One pill makes you larger, and one pill makes you small And the ones that mother gives you, don’t do anything at all White Rabbit by Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane. This week I have my yearly visit with my primary … Continue reading
Trumped-Up Executions
Dustin Honken is set to be executed July 17 at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, for two of five murders he committed in Iowa 27years ago. This case is of particular interest to Iowans because while Iowa does … Continue reading