Category Archives: General

It’s a Matter of Taste

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Marty Ryan

Twice a year, we like attending the Planned Parenthood Book Sale in Des Moines at the Fairgrounds. This past visit we acquired a shopping cart full of books for less than $10.00. Some people exclusively use Kindle, and many more … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on It’s a Matter of Taste

Flaws in the Laws – Part III: 2nd Degree Kidnapping

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Marty Ryan

“He got off on a technicality.” This is a quip that drives me crazy whenever someone walks away from a courtroom in which the person otherwise should have been found guilty. Just what is a technicality? A technicality can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Justice, General | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Flaws in the Laws – Part III: 2nd Degree Kidnapping

The Night of the Cross and the Flag

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Carlos Jayne

GOING HOME: Laceyville, Pennsylvania, is a tired, depressing little town in northeast Pennsylvania. The Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Appalachians, are on one side of it and the Appalachian Trail used by many hikers each year goes right through … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Night of the Cross and the Flag

The Earth Always Wins

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Marty Ryan

Most of the time, I live about 2100 feet from the Des Moines River. Right now, a levee keeps me approximately 375 feet away from the river. However, I received a notice earlier this year that about 10 square feet … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Earth Always Wins

The Ins and Outs of Baseball

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Marty Ryan

Okay, read carefully. You got nine guys in and nine guys out. The nine guys out try to get the nine guys in out three times. The nine guys in send guys up to get on so that they can … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | Comments Off on The Ins and Outs of Baseball

“Thank you, sir”

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Marty & Stephanie

Vail is a small community in west-central Iowa. It’s also a ski resort in Colorado. But I grew up in the Iowa version. One thing both communities have in common is a swimming pool. However, Vail, Colorado has ten times … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Youth | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on “Thank you, sir”