Welcome to an extra edition of the 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.
“Have you noticed when ordering from Amazon that the delivery options are often ‘tomorrow’ or on your ‘delivery day’ next week (30 minutes or less, Jan. 2, 2024)? With those options, why wouldn’t you choose the quickest?”- Bill
To save the world. Or to help Amazon make more money. One or the other. - Shane
“I sent this one (Staring at the sky, Jan. 3, 2024) to my sons, who are deep thinkers, and often make their problems too large. Thanks.” - Brad
Most all of us are all guilty of that one. - Shane
“Shane, beautifully written column today (Staring at the sky, Jan. 3, 2024). I remember specifically laying on my back as a child. Looking at the stars on a calm night provided a peaceful feeling. I certainly yearn for the quiet sense of nature. Whistling wind, swaying branches, the sound a water flowing through a creek and my favorite is a view over the Mississippi River from the Iowa side looking east at the sunrise. Thanks for centering my mind this morning.” - Jason
We could all use a peaceful distraction from time to time. - Shane
“Good morning, Shane. I feel compelled to write you a quick note after reading today’s Daily Umbrella about laying in the grass/snow/dirt looking at the stars (Staring at the sky, Jan. 3, 2024). Your thoughts were poetic and beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with all of us. It was deeply personal and one that many of us can relate to. Well done.” - Douglas
Unfortunately, we all then have to dust off and take on the world’s challenges. - Shane
“Shane, thank you for this morning’s column (Staring at the sky, Jan. 3, 2024). I grew up on a farm and had a big yard. There were times I’d do the same thing you described. I was not limited to just sky watching during the day but also night. It was an experience I had completely forgotten about until I read your comments. Perhaps, being a retired old guy, I should go back to laying in the grass and reconnect to those days of dreaming and meditation. Thanks again.” - Len
That sounds like a good plan to me. - Shane
Have a thoughtful Thursday, 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. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The polls have closed and a record number of readers have cast their votes in the latest CITYVIEW'S Best Of Des Moines readers' poll — the metro's original and largest poll of its kind.
Winners will be announced in the February 2024 issue of CITYVIEW! |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Looks like we have another 5-9” of snow on the way between this evening and late Friday night. Winds start to pick up this evening and stay gusting to 35mph until around 6 a.m. Saturday. Then COLD.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$385,000
5135 S.E. 26th Court
DesMoines, IA 50320
Welcome home to this immaculate 2 story near Easter Lake! Pride of ownership shines in this one-owner home with over 2,400 sq foot of finish, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a bonus room perfect for an office or dining! The large open kitchen has gorgeous hardwood floors, tons of counter and cabinet space, and all kitchen appliances stay! The living room has a gorgeous fireplace with built-ins, and tons of natural light.
| | | See More Homes For Sale |
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German farmers barricaded Berlin this week protesting the government's efforts to cut or eliminate diesel fuel subsidies to farmers.
There are seven types of cheese - fresh, bloomy, washed, semisoft, firm, hard and blue. Monday Jan. 15 Cheese Shop (843 42nd St., Des Moines) will teach a class about the differences. Guests will sample all seven and three wines will be served. This is a popular event and will sell out. $50. Reservations - 515-528-8181
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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FROM KCCI: Haley, DeSantis quickly tear into each other’s records in their head-to-head Republican debate
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis called each other liars and insulted each other’s records and character in the opening minutes of Wednesday’s Republican primary debate, underscoring the high stakes for each of them with less than a week before the Iowa caucuses...READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: No recession in 2023 thanks to record spending, debt according to economist
As we formally say good-bye to 2023 and usher in a new year, it’s hard to look back one year ago and NOT ask what happened? “I’m surprised,” Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said. “98.5% of economists expected a recession in 2023. We did not get one. Now, why did we not get one? We got the slowdown, but even then the slowdown wasn’t all that (bad).”... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Gov. Reynolds hopes to boost Iowa teacher pay from low-end to top-5
DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday night proposed a significant investment in teacher pay across Iowa: $96 million to increase pay by 50%....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Weekly fuel report | | | The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 2 cents, averaging $2.77 across Iowa according to AAA. That price is down 39 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.08, down 1 cent from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 5 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.60. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.21 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 35 cents lower than the national average of $3.95.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
Propane prices averaged $1.57 per gallon statewide.
Home heating oil prices averaged $3.02 per gallon statewide.
Natural gas prices rose 35 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.02/MMbtu |
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| Birthdays and notables | | | These celebrities were born on this date: Christian Nodal, Jamie Vardy, Louisa Johnson, Marc Blucas, Devin Ratray, Lil Twist, Rachel Riley, Leroy Sané, Mary J. Blige, Amanda Peet, Aja Naomi King, Cody Simpson, Tom Rowlands
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What was the cannibal looking for in the grocery store's canned food aisle? BAKED BEINGS! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, MANWICH! - William Snyder. Or Lady Fingers. - Rex Post.
Today's riddle
Joke from Rex Post: What do you call a frozen pickle hanging from the roof?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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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! |
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