Where's the purple?

My view of the Iowa State Capitol one morning this week

I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too! But my voice is less than stellar (okay, bad), so don't get me started. Speaking of rainbows-

Recently Paul and I got together with red friends (you know, the right-leaning kinda red). We actually broke the no-speaky taboo and discussed politics. Paul is actually a registered Republican (just pretend red in my opinion) and of course, my fave color is blue. It was very refreshing to talk politics in "mixed" company!

It made me pine for the days when I didn't identify the people I know by colors. Now I feel I must evaluate the crowd I'm with and muffle thoughts, or at the very least comments. I'm sure people do that around me too! What has happened to us?

Something needs to change. All this separation is bad for our country. We need to talk about issues in mixed groups, like Paul and I did a few nights ago with our friends. To share thoughts and concerns - instead of only hearing anecdotes on our own carefully chosen media outlets.

I think if we talked in mixed company more, we'd find that we're not so much blue and red, but varying shades of purple. Of course, I'd be the better-looking more bluish shade of purple (haha).

I was sad to see my beloved Cyclones lose in the NCAA tourney. I love this time of year - especially when my team is playing. Though it can be nerve-wracking! Pablo and I are hoops hounds and watch lots of games, if I can stay awake... Good luck to my sister's fam favorite, the Zags of Gonzaga (pronounced Gone Zag (like sag) A). My nephew Eric is a grad and niece Sarah is a junior there. If the Cyclones can't win it, I pick the Zags!

Meals on Wheels

The president's new budget cuts out funding for the Community Development Block Grant program that partially funds the Meals on Wheels program. This would require local programs to make up that revenue - or simply cut back programs. Ugh!

I really didn't know much about Meals on Wheels in 1997 at the start of my environmental career. My new job came complete with an office donated by the City of Creston, located in Creston's City Hall - in the beautiful Restored Depot. The office was directly above the Congregate Meal Site. That's where seniors go four times a week to socialize and eat ahot, nutritious meals. That's also where they make the meals for Meals on Wheels, ready for delivery by volunteers.

The Meal Site serves lunch Tuesday - Friday. During the time I worked at City Hall, Fannie Luther was the manager. I loved that lady and I wasn't alone. She was so warm and friendly that I think many of the people came to lunch just to see Fannie.

Have I mentioned the tantalizing the smells coming up through the floorboards of my little windowless office? That made it hard to go home to my measly lunch leftovers... On Thursdays, the Meal Site brought in "entertainment". Sometimes it was just "Bingo". Or high school singing groups. Or local bands (loose term).

So it wasn't just the smells that made their way through the floorboards...I could hear the callers and the music, especially the bass. Every once in a while they'd ask me to come talk to the lunch crowd about recycling. I'd have to remember to speak up - because they were "elderly". That means age 60 and over. Gulp. Starting in November, I qualify! Meal prices are set on a sliding scale based on income.

No matter where I travel across Iowa, I always see signs of the Meal Site locations. These programs are crucial to seniors to help them remain healthy. Good food and visiting with others. If one doesn't show up, people check to find out why.

Also on the chopping block...After School programs. Sad.

From what I understand, conservatives want to reduce taxes to allow people to keep more of our own money. That is why they are in favor of cutting many programs like these. I too like keeping my own money. I am all for evaluating programs to ensure they are well-run and produce results that benefit society as a whole.

In my opinion, we need to consider that if our government stops providing funding for program like this, then some cities will have funding and others won't. Richer cities will have more "trickle down". I hope our country doesn't cut funding for great programs.

Marching along

March is 1/3 over already. So you know what that means....or at least I do. Sunny Florida in 3 weeks baby!

February was rather balmy, but March has been a bit chillier, reminding me that I'd like to head south for a few days while Iowa decides to get its act together. I'm anxious for the Iowa legislative season to be done too. I am every year, but this year especially. I always hoped that Iowa would stay more purple - refusing to take marching orders from outside the state. It's disappointing to find that those outside influences are too strong.

Paul's birthday was March 1 and we celebrated by attending a retirement workshop all day. It was put on by IPERS - Iowa's public employee retirement system. If an employee is within five years from retirement you may attend. It was very informative and somewhat scary! How did I get to be this age?

When I first started working in a public job I had no idea I would be "on the job" twenty years later. So I didn't pay attention to what IPERS was. A pension is a wonderful benefit. As a taxpayer, I understand why there are concerns about the sustainability of such a system. I hope any changes will be fair, but have my doubts, seeing the types of things being ramrodded through the legislature this year.

Last weekend Paul treated himself to a walk in the woods to look for antler sheds. He hasn't had much luck this year. Either the deer are being tight with the horns or someone is scouting ahead of him. He is still one-armed and comes home with stickers embedded in his sling. Physical therapy starts in a week. That could be interesting! #beenthere

Back at home, I attended another IndivisibleIowa meeting. I find them therapeutic, meeting with others who don't want to moan and groan and post online. We are trying to work together locally to support and challenge pieces of legislation. Once the session is over, we'll turn towards working on supporting candidates in local races for school board and city council. Most people in the group are like me and have not been active politically in the past. I've enjoyed meeting them and hearing their stories and feeling their energy.

Saturday night we went out to Bubba's Southern BBQ for our "official" Pablo's birthday night out. We got our reservation late, so were in the early 5 PM timeslot (reserved for the elderly...). On our way home, we took the back route, which led us to Bullfrog's, a pedestrian-looking bar on a busy corner that we've been meaning to go to - because my that was my daddy's CB radio "handle".

There were few people there, so we settled in at the bar near a solo young woman. A group at the other end of the bar was playing a "Shut the Box" game. Hmmm Dad had one of those. Yep, Dad was looking down. We were regular barflies, chatting with the gal sitting near us. We learned the place is owned by the same people that own the Legends restaurants. Have I mentioned before that I love divey bars? We stayed for one and then were home and comfy before 8 p.m. Yawn.

Sunday we hiked about three miles at Raccoon River park. It was a lovely day and we saw lots of people and their pooches on the crushed rock trail. Sometimes I wish we had a bigger dog that we could take on hikes - then I remember how much more work that would be than Odie. We stopped for a beverage at 515 Brewery on our way to HyVee. A person needs a reward for all that walking, right?

On Tuesday, we received fabulous news from Amy and Corey. They're moving to Denver! Corey applied for that territory for his job with GE Corporation. Not that we don't like their current location - West Chester, PA. It's a cute little town where Amy can walk everywhere. But we like better them in Denver where other family members are close by. And we can drive there in one day. The move will happen in April, so wedding planning just got easier. It's set for the Botanic Garden in Denver August 5. I need to start shopping for a dress...

Our friends Mary Faber and Hank came to town on Thursday for a Joe Bonamassa concert. We met them at Peace Tree for a beer, then took them to Guru our new fave downtown BBQ joint. Paul and I were especially cheery, celebrating the Cyclones win that afternoon in the Big 12 basketball tourney. (I took vacation for a couple hours to watch the game)

It's always fun to catch up with my longtime pal - one of the first people I met after moving to Creston. Hank is a nice guy and easy to talk to. I am happy that she's living the good life, traveling and going to concerts.

I hope you are living the good life - marching along.