Category Archives: General

The Big Ten

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Marty Ryan

Six of the nine United States Supreme Court justices are Catholic. Even Neil Gorsuch, who identifies as an Episcopalian, was raised Catholic. This is an important demographic because of at least one case that could make it to the High … Continue reading →

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George’s cherry tree

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Marty Ryan

George Powers had two cherry trees on his property. He had a few other fruit trees, but those trees didn’t produce like the cherry trees. George lived two houses south of us. I would walk through Johanna Scanlon’s property next … Continue reading →

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Grounds For Divorce

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Marty & Stephanie

There are two occasions when women have a certain “glow.” The first is pregnancy. The second is when a bad marriage finally ends in divorce. The vows that are spoken, “for better or worse; in sickness and in health; ‘til … Continue reading →

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Water woes

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Marty Ryan

“Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” Well (no pun intended), you can drink it, but water in the Des Moines area is as priceless as – well, water. Central Iowa has a water problem, but it’s not … Continue reading →

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Skeletons and scum

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Marty & Stephanie

This article was first published in the Prairie Progressive. Once Governor Kim Reynolds announced that she wasn’t going to run for reelection, Iowa newspapers that still sell print editions needed more paper to publish all the potential Republican candidates. This … Continue reading →

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Cap Snip

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Marty & Stephanie

“Our house is a very, very, very fine house With two cats in the yard” – Graham Nash – recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young We have two cats. Excuse me. Two cats have us. No one owns cats. … Continue reading →

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