Planned Parenthood leaves Creston (for the most part)

Deb and Brenda (swiped photo from Larry's Facebook page)

Here's a letter to the editor I sent to the Creston paper recently.

I'm sad my friend Deb is losing her longtime job at PP. Teens from throughout the area have gotten "supplies", have had their first pelvic exams and probably have gotten good somewhat motherly advice from these two ladies - without feeling judged. Deb can talk about sex to anyone! It's like talking trash for me - it's second nature.

Now Deb is job hunting. I don't spose she'll need her sex talking skills for any new jobs around Creston. But her great people skills will come in handy! This will be quite a change for her - she's been working at PP since she and Larry moved back to Creston in the early 90's. I wish her luck in finding a new job that makes her happy (and pays okay too).

My letter - published Tuesday:  

From Leslie Bullock Goldsmith, former Creston resident

West Des Moines

It’s a sad week in the Creston area for many. Planned Parenthood – the source of health care and birth control services over several decades – is losing two dedicated workers as the result of funding cutbacks. In my view, the forces attacking this organization have been very short-sighted if their goal is to make life better for women and children.

Deb Peterson and Brenda Sedlmayer, the Creston Planned Parenthood staffers, have served the residents of this area without judgment. Our children and family members have gone there. Staffers have provided factual information, reproductive health services and considered no question stupid – everyone was treated with respect.
 

I’m disappointed that reduced funding due to targeting by groups and legislators has caused Planned Parenthood (to) draw back from rural locations like Creston and Red Oak. I am aware that some of the clients may not have dependable transportation and will be hard-pressed to travel to a Planned Parenthood in Des Moines for some of the services not available in the new system in Creston.

The tragedy is that some people may see this service cutback as a victory.

I question how forcing those who have depended on Planned Parenthood for pregnancy prevention, physicals, and other services such as prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases can be considered a “win” for any of us. There were likely fewer unplanned pregnancies in the area thanks to the work done at the center. In my opinion it follows that there were fewer people needing to consider legal abortion as one of their options.
 

I hope people everywhere don’t let hard fought women’s rights fall by the wayside because we’ve had it so easy thanks to the hard work done in the past by others. Speak up and vote.
 

Thank you Deb and Brenda – you served us well.

Pooches don't fret

We went to the new Hunger Games movie Friday night - Catching Fire. I liked it! I read all the books on my Nook E reader a couple years ago - that's when we saw the first movie, in sunny Marco Island with seester Cindo. It took seeing the movie this movie for the plot to come back of course. It's that Bookheimers I have...they all the plots start to run together.

I must admit I was a little distracted at the movie. We had been with Odie to the vet late Friday afternoon. The poor girl has that anal gland problem. The stinky glands fill up and need to be squeezed out. I know - it's TMI and icky. But they must be uncomfortable because she starts scooting when they're full.

My lil buddy is squeezed in by me while I type this blog...

Odie rode along with us when we took Amy to the airport last after our fab Thanksgiving holiday. As she sat on my lap, I felt some bumps on her chest that aren't supposed to be there. So at her vet, um - treatment, I asked the vet to check that spot out. Dr. Jessica Merk ended up doing a needle biopsy on that bumpy area. Unfortunately, the cells weren't recognizable and the growth needs to come out. It's some kind of tumor.

Of course I'm heartsick with concern. Odie's my baby puppy. She'll just be 9 years old in January - just middle-aged. I'm hopeful this is some type of benign growth.  Our longtime college vet friends have been consulted. It pays to have veterinarians as groomsmen in your wedding. Yes - it's probably hard on them to do consultations sight unseen - but we needed their opinions none-the-less.

Odie is going with us to Colorado on the Saturday before Christmas. Therefore I have postponed her surgery until January 2nd. At that time they'll remove the thing (as must as possible at least) and biopsy it. Until then I'm going to spoil her rotten (like usual). Her anal problem is much improved and it wasn't even too hard to talk her into going outside in the frigid cold tonight.

The good news is that dogs don't fret about surgery scheduled in January. (Okay their mommy's do...)In the meantime, send evil tumor zapping thoughts Odie's way - would ya? Thanks!

Saturday night we went to the Big 4 Classic - Basketball at Wells Fargo Arena. Too cheap to pay $8, we parked at St. John's Lutheran Church west of the arena. ISU was playing the UNI Panthers. Our seats were past the basket but were down low - not nosebleed seats for once. Sometimes it pays to be an athletic donor - even though we're not real high rollers.

Those UNI Panthers came to play - and the Cyclones dug themselves into a deep hole before a furious run pulled them close. The Cyclones ended up winning in overtime - phew. I was afraid it was going to be a Panther state in hoops just like football! We watched the first half of the Hawkeye vs. Drake game and headed through the chilly night to our car. This is what we found. Revenge of the birds! Let's hope the right birds come out on top (Cy) when ISU plays Iowa Friday night.

That will teach us to park under a tree - with the Lutherans...we hit a car wash on our way home. Damn crows!

A Blog I wrote before I started blogging...when I was a child. Of 49.

I came across this document whilst looking for something else. Hmmm. It’s like finding a Benjamin Franklin letter inside a book at your house. Or not. Anyway – Back in 2007, right before I turned 50, I attended a Shingle Recycling Conference in downtown Chicago (I know…I bet everyone wishes they could attend such an event!) – and rode Amtrak there. While on Amtrak I had time to type. So here are my:

Thoughts before I turn 50…written while riding the rails – my first Amtrak adventure.

 

I took Amtrak for the first time this week. I had a conference in downtown Chicago, and priced airfare at  over $400 with long layovers on the return trip to Des Moines. Amtrak took me right downtown and was only $110.

So my excellent adventure began 3 hours late because Amtrak was running behind. The good news is that it left right from Creston, so I was able to keep track to departure time online and stay home until the last few minutes. I had no idea what to expect for seating, if I’d have to check my bag etc. It was all new! The Creston Depot is pretty crappy and features a handwritten sign explaining there’s no Amtrak office there – call the Toll Free number for help. I’d hate to be stranded there! (unless you knew the secrets of Creston – like Sidetracked is right near there…) Hard plastic chairs and chilly. There was one other passenger awaiting the train and she’d been there all morning and was getting pretty crabby.

The train pulled up to the station and we went out to the door and were met by a conductor dressed just the way I pictured in my mind – just like the movies. I’m glad some things don’t change. There were plenty of seats and I was able to sprawl with my roll on suitcase and laptop. Lots of leg room, and also lots of jiggling while you’re rolling along.

I took along a peanut butter sandwich as friends had said the food on board was expensive. I was by myself so I didn’t want to leave my stuff all alone – don’t want to lose Del, my Dell laptop. I know pretty original name. Lots of folks walked back and forth on their way to the food areas. They must be rich! I briefly thought there was a barking dog on board, until I figured out it was wheezing, barking coughing man instead.

I had a good book and entertained myself looking out the windows too. I’d never seen Iowa from there before. It’s kinda like seeing Disney Land’s back lot. There are some ugly things that people hide in their back 40 acres that one sees from the train. Appliances near Afton, tire piles, equipment and more! It’s also very beautiful at times – especially since it’s fall and the leaves have turned.

The train makes frequent stops. Osceola, Ottumwa, Mt. Pleasant and Burlington in Iowa and then several  more in Illinois. I was pretty weary by the time we rolled into Union Station in downtown Chicago. I didn’t know where I was going – had hoped to get here at 4 like the original plan was instead of after dark. The train station is large and I didn’t know what the hell I was doing – trying to find the right door to get a cab. I felt like an idiot – a feeling I had much of the time I was in the big city!

I finally found the way out that wasn’t on a river. I tried to make my way toward the taxis lined up the street. I was spotted as a rube, and friendly guy helped me get a taxi and gave me a map all for a $3 tip. I fooled him though – I only had 2 $1 bills so he got stiffed! The cab driver was nice and it was only $5 to go the short way to the Union League Club where I was staying. The place had a dress code (I had read ahead on their website) so I snuck in wearing jeans.

I was in room 1621. It was a pretty neat historical place – an athletic club as well as office, with restaurants that see a great deal of business group traffic during the day. I didn’t ever eat supper but didn’t feel like venturing out so I switched on the flatscreen and watched my new fave show Life at 9. I slept very well.

I didn’t sign up for the early forums held Thursday a.m. by the Shingle Recycling folks. So I slept in and made my way down to the WigWam Room on floor 3 for the breakfast, included in the room price (all a mere $145/night). The room featured original art works, and was very elegant. In fact it was so elegant I began to think I was in the wrong room. I hate to look/feel stupid, but am also very stubborn and didn’t want to ask the server. Besides, by the time I began to worry, I was already chewing.

I left the breakfast voucher on my table when I departed, and slinked back up to my room to await the opening of the shops. I had scoped out on Mapquest and my great map from the rube spotter (see above). It was chilly out and I wandered about but finally found Macy’s. That place is huge and way high priced! There were some sales, but it’s no Kohls – sweaters for $450! Still it was fun to look around and you just don’t see stores like that anymore – featuring fountains and lots of clerks who are very polite and look busy.

I spotted Old Navy across the street (ah my kind of prices) and ended up springing for a new jacket for Odie. It was getting towards late morning so I made my way back towards the ULC (Union League Club). Along the way I spied a Lands End store, and vowed to go back after the day’s meetings. I whipped into Subway for a sandwich to take back to my room for lunch. I got hit up for loose change several times but I ignored them. I do enjoy people watching though – such busy people and they all walk very quickly. One lady was yelling on her phone “fuck all those other women!”

After noon, I went next door (Mapquest had showed the Federal Building to be blocks away, but I noticed it on my shopping foray) and whipped thru the security scanner. There were no “welcome to the conference” signs. Again everyone else seemed to know what the hell they were doing and where they were going but ME! I finally swallowed my pride and asked a security guy who directed me to the Conference area, and I signed in with no problem.  

The conference was a lot bigger than I thought it would be – at least 250 people there. And I only knew 1 – Kevin Officer with Foth and VanDyke – consultants in Iowa and the Midwest. So I felt pretty alone during break and was not in a chatty get to meet people mood.  I learned a great deal about the topic though – and did some brainstorming about potential for shingle recycling in our area. One suggestion was for dust control, which sounds like it could work if we could get a milk run of a grinder and get that going. Or highway patching material.

The day ran long- it was after 5 when I got back to the room and I headed out right away to shop a bit more. I found a jacket at Nordstorms along with a clog shoe, but I didn’t understand the purchasing system – you had to pick up the second shoe somewhere, so I decided God didn’t want me to have that pair.

I went the reception at a bar near the ULC – it was from 6-8 PM. Kevin happened to be going in when I was so we picked up a drink together. I didn’t want to leech on him though, so I went for the appetizers, so I could skip buying supper. Yummy meatballs that kinda tasted like my hamloaf. There was another guy standing there not talking to anyone – turned out to be a nice young guy from Ohio EPA. We talked about recycling, foundry sand and even football. Of course he’s a Big 10 guy. On my way out I introduced myself to a gentleman from Maine. He had been a speaker that afternoon – from Maine DNR, originally from Iowa and a kayaker. He grew up with Marc Roberg, a Creston area guy. Small world, huh?

Back to the room just in time to see Grey’s Anatomy. Read until bedtime after that. Slept OK. Up early and down to the Wigwam room – this time I knew the score and didn’t feel stupid at all- until I tried to enter room 1321 instead of 1621. Gee hope I didn’t wake anyone up! Decided to leave my luggage in the room, and come back after the morning session. Hard to get thru airport-like security for some reason I was buzzing – had to show the guy my socks…makes me feel so safe. Not!

Morning sessions were on the industry and environmental stuff.  Interesting -  again and they ran over by like ½ hour. The snacks were sure good. I decided to sneak out and changed into jeans again for the trip. I checked out of the hotel and got to say good bye to my Ohio friend. I enjoyed the walk to the train station on a really a beautiful day. I even had time to sit outside a bit, I ended up talking to a guy from California – he and his wife were very interested in the conference I attended. Then I made my way inside.

Inside the station, I wheeled around with my bag and the laptop, which was very heavy on my shoulder. In one store I did find a good birthday card for Jeff McFee’s. Dr. says to old man “we’ll need urine and stool samples” and the old guy says “what?” and his wife says “he wants your underpants”. Gotta laugh at that! Got a sandwich and ate ½. I enjoyed listening to the weird conversations and food seller yelling “Yum Yum.”

Then it was time to head down to the terminal - just in time to line up for the train. The train lady was crabby cuz I didn’t sign my ticket. Everyone had to show IDs there. I got lucky – seat by a plug! Unlucky – shrieking baby in our car though. Thank God I can listen to my headphones!

So – I learned I don’t like traveling alone so much. I am still an introvert for the most part. I love the countryside and would definitely ride the train again. My honey picked me up in Creston - kinda old fashioned, nice. Smile.

It's all about the Tree

This doesn't look like an Earl May tree. Cute kids though!

When I was a child, Mom always got our Christmas trees from Earl May. They would deliver the beautiful tree to our home at 202 Crombie in Atlantic and put it in the garage. Then later, when Dad came home from a long week selling Lorraine lingerie to stores across Iowa, he'd bring the tree in and put it in the stand. Sometimes he'd have to saw off a couple branches first. That was the extent of Dad's "yard work". There was were usually snarly words involved when the tree came into the house...and then back out again...pine boughs flew. Needles dropped.

Fireplace at right, woven rug and beautiful Christmas tree. TV was temporarily moved. Loved my Juddy dog. I wonder if Mom has her wiglet on here...?

A few years Mom decided to put the tree in the Family Room - that was our former Screened in Porch. My folks decided to finish the porch as another room in 1965 or 1966. They revamped that whole end of the house -  to move the kitchen to the front of the house, from the back. Oak plank flooring was installed in the front hall, kitchen and the new family room. Mom bought a big woven rug featuring earth tones for the Family Room.

For a political science major - Mom had a knack for decorating. A metal fireplace, finished in antiqued blue was installed on one wall of the room. I loved to put my feet on there when a nice fire was popping. Mom always put pine cones and greenery along the mantle with candles. We'd stick our fingers in there when she wasn't looking - coating them with wax. Mom was a great holiday decorator. I'm not quite sure what happened to me...

A console television graced the corner of the room - before remote control, the kids were the channel changers. The options were ABC (7), CBS (6), and NBC (3). Mom wouldn't let us watch Brady Bunch - no matter what station it was on, because she didn't feel it portrayed realistic life. Yeah, like Archie Bunker did...


Someone doesn't look thrilled about the red jumper...

Most of the time the tree took its place in the formal living room. That way it was more out of the way. The living room was the fancy room. Mom decorated that room with furniture from her parents' home. Grandma Morehead liked silk and baubles. Mom would put the gingerbread house here with little figures and puffy stuff to simulate snow. It seemed magical to me. Our stockings were hung on the same Ethan Allen pieces I have today. Mom knitted them for us and then for each grandchild. I'm not sure she got one done for Baby David. I think someone finished one up for him.

So I have a family history of great fresh Christmas trees. In college, my roomies and I always got our own little tree to decorate in our apartment at 230 Campus Avenue. When Paul and I got married, we started putting up our own trees, but it wasn't until we moved to Creston that we started going to Christmas Tree farms to select and cut our own trees. First we went to Corning. Later, a state forester Paul knows had a farm near Afton.

A perfect tree, and cute lil kids. I'm glad Amy learned how to do her hair...

It was fun to take the kids and Moki the Wonder Dog out to select the perfect tree. We would walk around the hillside until I zoned in on just the right one. The family that owned the tree farm always had hot cider warming in the garage - it was so homey. Much nicer than buying one at the store! Alas, when the cherubs got older, they no longer wanted to go along to get the tree. I broke down and bought a fake tree. Less mess. I don't miss cleaning up the pine needles months after Christmas.

Now we spend our Christmas holiday with our fam, the Lefebvres in Vail. They get their tree from the mountainside! Now that our beloved Boldie is gone, Cindy and Bolder's son Colby is in charge of getting the tree. Cindy hides a pickle on it. The person that finds the pickle wins a present!

Kids look for the pickle

Christmas trees have a lot of symbolism. I don't know what the official story is. For me the symbolism is in the ornaments. There are some from my childhood, others from Amy and Jud's childhoods. There is a very special one from Iowa Methodist for Patrick. We have Packers and Cyclones bulbs. Sally's Mom Anna Day used to give me a cute ornament every year. They're very special to me. There are others of deer and recycling. I like that most of the ornaments tell a story - just like most of the things on my walls. They make me smile.

Okay - now I'm ready to put my tree up this weekend - to remember, and to smile.

Christmas Traditions

I may be a current day Scrooge - but I have many fond memories of Christmases past! Thanks to my Mom, Pat Bullock, for making our Christmas special each year. One tradition was the Advent Calendar - like the one above. It was just a cheap paper one - but I loved taking turns with my sisters, opening up the little paper doors. It was the big countdown to...You Know What!

The most magical day of the year! Christmas! I spent many an hour pouring over possible selections in the Sears "Wish" Book. Of course Mom always knew just what to get us. We were spoiled rotten - in a good way...

My favorite Christmas gifts:

• Betso and I loved our Mouse Treehouse

Thank goodness for Ebay - you can find all your old toys there!

• Another fave of mine was a gift Dad must have gotten me - you see, I was the son he never had. A total Tom Boy. Dolls didn't interest me a bit - unless they were action figures. Dad's gift was a car chase game - I think this was it. Batteries didn't last long back then. Glad the Energizer Bunny is around now.

• Johnny West Doll complete with horse and ranch house (made from cardboard) - Betso got Jane. Sally got a Johnny too - which made it convenient for play dates. I'm not sure why Mom got us a buffalo...
  
• GI Joe and Buddy Charlie - back when those guys were big. I also got a Jeep with a trailer that had a Morse code light and rocket launcher.
  

I spent many fun hours playing with those toys. I let Betsy's Barbies be the nurse when Joe was injured.


saddle blankets - but mine had fringe!

One year we were through opening gifts...hours went by when suddenly a light bulb went on over Mom's head. No, not a real one! She said - "The Blanket!" and proceeded to start opening every closet and cubbie hole in our house. She finally found what she was looking for - a new saddle pad she had purchased for me for Christmas. It was a show pad to use when I showed my horse Jack - light blue with fringe. She had hidden it away and forget about it - and where it was!

Mom had 4 kids to buy for - and she did a fab job of fulfilling my "Wish" list. Fond Christmas memories - presents.
What's your favorite childhood present? Chime in...



The tree grows

Patrick's tree - Atlantic Cemetery

Our son Patrick's tree at the Atlantic Cemetery has grown tall and majestic. This fall it displayed its beautiful fall coat of rusty orange and gold. The tree is 21 years old now. Patrick would be 22 today.

Last night I heard that tragedy had struck a Creston family over the weekend. Two brothers, 11 and 9, exploring and playing on their family's farm, drowned Saturday afternoon. They were students at the Catholic School where Amy and Jud went to school. Their parents own Creston Livestock Auction and their dad, Tom Frey is a champion auctioneer. He has volunteered his services for the past 20 plus years at the St. Malachy Auction fundraiser - to raise much needed money for the school. That was even before his kids attended the school.

DM Register NEWS

It really hit me last night - on the eve of Patrick's birthday. You just never know. We could bubble wrap our children. But they could still get some illness - or choke on the bubble wrap! And who could live wrapped up like that. Or not ever going anywhere. We could let fear paralyze us. What kind of life would that be? Not much of one. As parents we do the best we can - sometimes tragedy happens.

Still. I didn't sleep well last night. Does some greater power just watch and allow these things to happen? Why do some of us suffer, yet others seem to breeze through life? Are they more deserving? Or...as some say - does God just give us what we can handle? I am handling the loss of Patrick - the only way I can - one day at a time, and because I have no choice.

Patrick, December 1991

Back when we first lost our baby boy there were days I fell apart. I didn't think I could go on. But I was lucky - I had 2 other children who needed me. So I had to get my act together. I allowed myself the occasional blubberfest. But I had to decide. How would he want me to live? Would Patrick want me to live my life in mourning - less of a person because he had not stayed on this earth to be part of our family? I decided that answer was no. Slowly I entered the world again. It's a good thing too - my kids might be all growed up - but they still need me!

When we lost Patrick to hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 1991, we were very fortunate to live in Creston, Iowa. The people there surrounded us with love. Some of them were our good friends, but others were people we hardly knew.

The Frey family is going to need that love now and for the next - well, forever. A card, a tree planted for T.J. and Nate, a donation in their names. Or just a look, a pat, a hug - you don't need to say anything. That's all. It's up to you neighbors. Tom and Leisa need your love and support. I know you're up to it. You were there for us.

Skating to triple OT victory with crafty cheesecake

It's usually on about Day 3 when you're all sick of each other, right? I'm happy to report our fam blasted through the Day 3 "Family Starts to Stink Like Fish Day" in good fashion. At least from my prospective - you might need to check with the kids...they seemed to be doing fine though. It's nice that they all (including Kara), feel at home enough to get their own drinks/cereal etc.

We woke up Saturday to great weather - that helped. I had warned them for the past couple days that we were ice skating on Saturday. So they were mentally prepped. We got to Brenton Skating Plaza on Grand in the East Village in DSM not long after the place opened at 10 a.m. The staff there hooked us up with skates and tickets to get right on the ice. Paul noticed that he and Jud got hockey skates - no teeth on the blades just under the toes. He didn't like that. Guess he wanted to do some pirouettes!


Beautiful winter day

J & K actually had some skate moves

Love the Traveler's sign in the background

I was a bit (okay a lot) rusty when I took my first turn around the rink. My ankles started to burn - I needed to lace 'em up tighter. Jud and Kara took right to it since they'd skated on one of their trips in the past couple years. Amy and Paul were feeling their way like I was. Music was playing and I started to enjoy myself as families and older folks skated around me. We didn't stay long, but I'm glad we did the fam skate outing, followed by Small Biz shopping in the East Village - shirts at Raygun and Allspice. Happy to report all the stores were busy. Then lunch at Court Avenue Brew Pub.

We did a bit of big (TJ Maxx and JC Mall) shopping after lunch. Jud is now the proud owner of a suitcase for all his travels. We all scored cheesecake for later. We arrived home in time to watch the Cyclone football team proceed to self-destruct in the first half against West Virginia. Pick 6, fumble for a TD for the other team - they did all the bad stuff. Kara and Amy began working on the craft we had started Thursday night. I volunteered to take Kara to Michael's for some small paintbrushes. Anything for relief from the game. The team needed something for luck...anything I can do...

The girls paint letters on painted blocks (that was my job Thursday - block painting)

We sent the guys downstairs to watch the game. There was yelling and groaning involved. We watched a movie up here. Some of the yelling downstairs started to get more encouraging. Jud gave periodic updates, but I didn't want to break the karma by starting to watch at that stage. In the end, the Good Guys came from behind - 17 points down in the 4th quarter to win in triple overtime. It was the 3rd win of the season - so not like it was for any cool thing like bowl eligibility. But for our program it was pretty big. It was to be able to be labeled as not being quitters. On to 2014 Cyclones!

Meanwhile, Kara was concentrating and working diligently on her craft. Amy did the letters freehand, in her graphic design kinda way - perhaps not a true to the design, but cool. We poured martinis post-game. Dirty and lemondrop. Celebrate!

We dragged Kara away to do the family gift opening. You see...it's our Christmas. It will be our first Christmas without Jud. Sniff. So we're making do now. Just like Kara's parents did last year. I'm glad her folks are good about sharing. ;>). Amy, Paul and I will celebrate together in Vail with Cindo and Colby once again - after a stop in Denver to see the Lamms and this year we get a bonus. Aunt Jean and Uncle Bruce Rader will be there (a/k/a Bean and Juice). We'll miss our Juddy though. We had a nice time opening gifts - hope all of Jud's fit. He loved his Cyclone jacket.

Kara's reward when she completed her crafts - red velvet cheesecake. Later, Amy went out on the town with college roomie Rachelle. They hit the West Glen joints. It was nice to see 'Chelle!

Today Jud and Kara took off for KC about noon when we drove Amy to the airport. Just like that, they're gone. I miss 'em already! Our family isn't perfect. (and no I don't post pics of the boring stuff...) But we are blessed. We get along most of the time, and laugh a lot (at and with each other and ourselves). Amy and Kara would bust me if this were a Facebook post...but...like the craft above says...I'm Giving Thanks!