Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by subscribers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“Hi, Shane. I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your columns. I look forward to the written encouragement or history or memories of yours that make me remember. It also makes me laugh! I am one of those people who you wrote about recently, as I have so many routines (Habits, rituals and routines, Dec. 4, 2023). It is interesting how when we really look, we can see who we really are!” - Tina

I am glad to see that one of your routines is reading The Daily Umbrella. - Shane

“In addition to learning the same things you did about cement and concrete, part of my career was spent working around some talented engineers where I learned the recipe for concrete can be adjusted for air temperature, desired strength of finished product, and proper curing or drying of the cement (Get a load of this, Dec. 19, 2023). If your driveway is crumbling after three years, odds are the concrete used ran afoul of one or more of those variables. All of that is beyond my grasp, but I at least learned enough to ask about it! And when you and your friends were ‘pulling’ for the horn, I hope it was an air horn!” - Chuck

We were easily amused. Still are. - Shane

“When I was little, we lived in a town with a cement plant (Get a load of this, Dec. 19, 2023). It always created a white dust on everything. My mom swore that it created concrete on the outside of the windows. She had a terrible time cleaning them, so maybe she was right! Maybe the humidity and normal dirt in the air helped it harden on the windows.” - Margaret

Are you sure that suspicious white powder was from a cement plant? - Shane

“Robert Frost said the world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them (Overworked and underpaid, Dec. 20, 2023).” - Rex

Sad, but sometimes true. - Shane

“I have always liked the saying ‘Do what you love, and the money will follow.’ It never worked that way for me, but I still like the idea (Overworked and underpaid, Dec. 20, 2023).” - Dave

If that were true, I would get paid for eating ice cream. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman 

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

Meet Rachel Greene
Enjoying collaboration with fellow educators

By T.K. West

Originally from West Des Moines, Rachel Greene attended Indian Hills Junior High School and graduated from Valley High School.

She then attended the University of Northern Iowa where she graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in business teaching and economics. Now, Greene has returned to her alma mater to teach computer science. This is her first year teaching at Indian Hills Junior High School and her second year working in education.

“A reward is collaborating with awesome teachers, both new to the profession and veterans. The community of support I have has made the ‘I don’t know what I’m doing!’ moments feel more manageable and not exclusive to me. I have received wonderful advice and tangible classroom techniques that not all new-to-the-profession teachers receive. My colleagues are a big part of why I’m enjoying my job,” Greene says.

Read more in the December Clive Living magazine.

Happy Birthday Connor Elmitt today and Sarah Kramer Dec. 30!

These celebrities were born on this date: Dylan Minnette, Dylan Minnette, Paris Berelc, Jude Law, Dylan Mulvaney, Pardison Fontaine, Alison Brie, Danny Wagner, Ted Danson, Myles Garrett, Jane Levy, Christen Press, Jon Voight

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why did the kangaroo hop into the bar? IT HEARD THEY NEEDED A BOUNCER! - Gail Tomlinson. Or TO TRY SOME NEW HOP! - Rex Post. Or BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T JUMP OVER IT! THE BAR WAS SET TOO HIGH! - David Dolde.

Today's riddle

What was the bartender charged with after taking liquor home?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in this daily newsletter, contact Jolene Goodman at jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com, or call 515-953-4822 ext. 319.

©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE!