They said what?

There's nothing that ruins a new catch phrase as quickly as every news person using it in every sentence.

Absolutely!  There are very few absolutes in this world - the word is loosing its importance.

No problem!  I'm the customer.  You're the employee.  Your job isn't my problem.  A thank you is good enough.

Emojis are cute, funny and trendy.  They're not conversation.

You may feel wearing the waistband of your pants below your bum is a fashion statement but my thought was I'm glad his tidy whites didn't have skid marks (talking about you family guy at Happy Joes in Kewanee on a Friday night.)

Listening to what the other person is saying is a lost art.

The Great Midwest will only stay great as long as we keep those Midwest values.

Rock Island IL has everything it needs to be great - except - it isn't.  The rampant crime, the failed economic development, the fleeing businesses, the constant infighting of city government - its the ultimate fault of voters who continue to elect people who will not do better by the town.

Debbie Downer has taken up residence in some folks Facebook posts.

Grandchildren are God's way of helping us concentrate on something better than getting old.

In spite of the many poems, quotes and stories saying the Northern Cardinal is sent from God to communicate from our dead family members, they are just a bird doing what birds do in an exceptionally beautiful coat.  The pair that's visited outside my computer room window this year have brought so much joy I can see why some think it's almost a religious experience.

For the flowers that bloom in a very dry fall, I thank you.

Thank you Nancy Anderson for reminding me how fortunate we've been this summer to not have hail damage to our plants and crops.  Last summer was a foliage bummer.

Remember bomb alerts, weather alerts, fire alerts and what to do "in case of"?  Today I saw a breathing alert for California.  Although we're thousands of miles from the many deadly fires out west, a breathing alert is a wake up call on the ramifications of poor soil conservation, over building and disregarding the fragile balance of land, water and air.

California has always been at the front of righteous indignation regarding use of the planet by others.  Today they are sadly paying the price for "do as I say and not as I do".  And they still don't get it.

The volunteers, the thinkers, the idea people of Galva area community have really outdone  themselves this year.  It's not only helping the area, it's drawing others to our town.  Well done good and faithful servants.  

Some people ride the political pony express like it's the best and fastest way to reach our destination.   Get something new and relevant to talk about, you're not keeping up with the train.

I personally want to thank the fashion designers targeting the older consumers and the stores that carry their brands.

And "NO", I don't want the fabric that says "hand wash only" and neither does a teenager, a young mom or a guy.  If you can't find fabric that can go in the washer and dryer, you need to look harder.

For the clueless dad that still thinks kids' sports must be played like a professional:  Even if you're at every game, you're not being a good dad, roll model or team player.  Love isn't browbeating, yelling, punishing, swearing or being a jerk in front of your kid.  Get a grip!  Get a life!  Get humility!  Get a sense of humor!

Galva getting some of their badly deteriorating streets fixed this summer is a good deal for residents and the impression it makes on potential new residents.  Good city infrastructure means good government and it is one of the best economic development factors a town can demonstrate.

I don't remember a church in this area closing it's doors.  There may be fewer people and shared ministries but the faithful continue to worship and serve their community.

You know your from the rural Midwest if you get a bit teary eyed at little kids frolicking in the park, parades with tractors (lots of tractors), the Bishop Hill High Society Band and the American Legionnaires firing their Salute.

My hat is off in thanks to the Henry County Sheriff's Department's quick response to a trespasser one late night.  Pretty darn exceptional service considering the size of the department and county.

I've finally embraced Creeping Charlie as a flowering ground cover.  Soon - I may have to embrace bindweed as my new fall flower.  But I simply refuse to accept Japanese Beetles as my new family pet.

As I marvel at the beautiful field corn this year, we've been Blessed with no damaging wind.

Now that almost everyone wears a ball cap at one time or another - I can still tell a farmer by the way his/her hat sits on the head.

I knew our church was doing something right when a young guest said, "Everyone was so friendly to me and made me feel welcome."  Love one another triumphs again.        

We've had some contractors at the house recently helping us do some big jobs.  An unsolicited and unpaid ad:  Midwest Carpets, Galva - Neil Thomas PHAC, Galesburg - Schisler Plumbing, Abingdon - Cordrey Construction, Kewanee - Pete's Floors, Kewanee - Berry Spectrum Painting, Monmouth.  In the past we've had others that are good, but these folks are the latest.  They did what they said they were going to do, didn't destroy other things in the process and made having them on our property as easy as they could - nice folks doing a good job.

As a side contractor note:  If you use a local contractor and they do a great job - pay them immediately.  All of the above are independently owned, most have others they must pay and they have materials they buy prior to the job being started.  They all have horror stories about customers who don't fulfill their part of the deal.  Don't be a horror story.

Some people just don't realize there's an off switch on their jerk machine.

If you grow your own or buy from a local producer, our fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and more are why we have taste buds.

Just read an article on why crazy expensive organic honey is better and why.  Seriously, honey from a local bee farm is as good tasting, nutritionally excellent and at a reasonable price.  Expensive does not mean better.

Although bees gather pollen from most of my plants, they really REALLY go crazy for the ornamental gourd flowers.

The larger variety of flowering plants you have in your yard/gardens, the more beneficial and beautiful insects you'll have.

Some plants are advertised for specific insects.  The surprises are:  Hummingbirds like purple hosta flowers.  Honey bees like daylilies.  Monarchs like Cosmos.  The quiet sound of insects, when recorded on vinyl and played backwards says "Yum Yum Yum".