This is a very strange time in our society. I’ve told a lot of people that a year ago we (in response to Covid) were all pulling in the same direction. Now? It’s a divided community. Whether politically, or vaccination status, or a variety of other controversial topics; it feels...
Maleigha had a fun show with her horse this past weekend. It is so crazy to watch how much she has grown in such a short period of time. Her very first show was at this same location, and in her first event her horse took off across the arena...
The 20th year anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy is upon us. I, as most, remember exactly where I was and the helplessness and horror I felt. The next year on 9-11 was my mom’s funeral. Over the years, it feels like this time of year is poignant and full of...
I have menu envy really bad (wishing I would have ordered what the person at the next table got, every time I go to a restaurant). I now have it for everything I buy. I just got a new couch and chair for my living room. I ordered from an...
Last week we had the opportunity to virtually host DNV surveyors for our annual survey. This year was our second year of a virtual survey. Over the last year, we have all learned how to maneuver the zoom meeting world. Sharing and reviewing documents, giving tours of the facilities, having...
Empathy. My real life example of why I should be more empathic was brought to life on a bike ride on the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Waukee, Iowa on Sunday with my friend, Laurie. I never rode with Laurie before, and we were talking and enjoying the day -...
Finding Common Ground~ I recently had an opportunity to attend the National Common Ground Conference. Common Ground is an organization of farmers that focuses on having conversations about how food is grown and produced with consumers. With that in mind, at the conference there was a panel of six mothers...
Someone once told me that all crickets have worms inside them. I believe this unconditionally. And because of this “truth”, crickets occupy a special place in hell in my mind. (Supposedly, there is someplace in Iowa that sells them to eat -- supposedly they are crunchy and … tasty …)...
As a tradition for my family in August, I take each of my children back to school shopping. I look forward to it each year as it allows me to spend time with them individually and focus solely on them. I love those moments; they feed my soul. Each of...
I reluctantly canceled my backyard party today. I canceled because having a party - regardless of whether or not it’s outside -- is inconsistent with our current climate, per OSHA and the CDC. Just so you know, I hate this. I hate the new mandates of wearing masks and reliving...
