In 1978, this 10-year-old boy was mesmerized by a TV show called “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams.” The title character was loosely based on a California mountain man named John “Grizzly” Adams. The actor who played him was Dan Haggerty. He had an incredible beard, and I swore I would grow one like it when I could. I am still working on it.
On the TV show, Adams was a hermit of sorts who fled to the mountains in 1853 after being accused of a murder he didn’t commit. In the wilderness, he befriended many animals and a few humans, including Ben, an orphaned grizzly bear cub, and Mad Jack, an old mountain man.
I still smile when I hear the TV theme song, “Maybe," by Thom Pace. It instills peaceful images of animals and nature, just as the TV show did. Most animals, anyway. One, in particular, didn’t get the same respect, nor did the six that preceded it. I am referring to Mad Jack’s mule that he not so affectionately called “No. 7” as a numerical reference to the number of mules he owned prior.
I am starting to relate — not with mules but with dogs. I have had a lifetime fondness for miniature pinscher dogs, but my wife never wanted to deal with a puppy. So, we adopted Roxy, adult min pin No. 1, which Jolene appropriately called “a short-term commitment.” No. 1 was sweet, but she was overweight, diabetic and eventually became blind, deaf and, ultimately, dead.
We moved on to adult min pin No. 2, Max, which we adopted from a neighbor’s friend who was moving out of the country. No. 2 was a better dog but started down the same demise as No. 1, and we made a quicker decision to end its misery.
Adult min pin No. 3 was Kobie. Different from the first two, No. 3 actually liked me — right up until its last breath, which is a really ugly story involving a seizure and/or a recliner that I will save for another day.
So, here we are today with adult dog No. 4, Layla. She is not a min pin. I am not sure what she is, other than lovable. No. 4 kind of likes me, at least when I am the only option. When she shows her dislike for me, I remind her that I could be looking for No. 5 soon, and then I realize how I am acting (and looking) more like Mad Jack than Grizzly Adams. No. 4 straightens out for a while, and then we, like Grizzly Adams and Ben, co-exist peacefully in a time we call our own — “living free in harmony and majesty.”
Have a marvelous Monday, 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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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Rain chances continue today, with scattered thunderstorms. Light snow on a colder Tuesday, then eventual warming by the end of the week.
For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | The results have been tallied and published in the February issue of CITYVIEW and online!
Best Local First Date Spot
1. Gastro Grub & Pub
2. The Big Steer Restaurant and Lounge
3. Simon’s
Read all the results now!
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| Featured home for sale | | |
$265,000 2611 Stanton Ave., Des Moines, IA 50321
Welcome to your dream mid-century modern ranch home in the coveted Southwestern Hills neighborhood! This peaceful three bedroom home offers the perfect blend of tranquility and convenience, with proximity to amenities such as Gray's Lake and a quick commute to downtown. As you approach, you'll be greeted by the circle drive and established plants and flowers that adorn the property, setting a serene tone from the moment you arrive.
See the listing here.
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| From the March issue of CITYVIEW | | | BELLY UP TO...
The Continental
By Jackie Wilson
The Continental was one of the first restaurants in the up-and-coming East Village district in 2005. Known for its narrow bar, weekly jazz sessions, innovative cocktails and menu sharables, it was a fan favorite.
When the Continental lost its lease in 2020, owner Jennifer DuBay didn’t call it quits. She searched the trusted area and came across a new location just a block away.
In summer of 2022, loyal Continental fans rejoiced when it reopened in its new location at 407 E. Fifth St., the former site of Dirt Burger. | | | READ MORE |
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Ice cream meltdown. Unilever, which owns Ben & Jerry's, Klondike, Talenti, Dreyers and Popsicle, is unloading its entire ice cream division. One problem — a board member of Unilever sat on the board of Simon Wisenthall Center, which boycotted B&J ice cream after B&J's chairman condemned Israel in its war with Hamas. Ice cream is also a drag on Unilever's carbon footprint because it uses dreaded refrigeration to stay cold.
Unlike most fruit hybrids in America, cara cara oranges were created naturally and accidentally when oranges were crossed with grapefruit, probably by the actual birds and the bees. Those at Fresh Thyme (2800 University, West Des Moines) are grapefruit sized and quite sweet.
Specials. Bianchi’s Hilltop (2829 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines) offers Monday specials of cavatelli with garlic bread for $17... Today is "all you can eat" wings day at Tito's Lounge (3916 Urbandale Dr., Urbandale)... Coal fired pizza and Peroni beer are half priced today at Centro (901 Locust St., Des Moines)... Boneless legs of lamb are on sale for $5.99/lb. at Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines).
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |
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| Keep Iowa Beautiful photo contest winners |
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ABOVE: Iowans in Action, Honorable Mention: “A Devilish Dance in the Iowa Sky,” by Chris Ewan of Ames
Keep Iowa Beautiful has announced the winners of the 14th Annual Keep Iowa Beautiful Photography Contest, aimed at raising awareness of Iowa's natural and environmental beauty. To see all the winning photos, visit Keep Iowa Beautiful.
Send your photos of beautiful sights in Iowa to tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com. |
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FROM KCCI: March Madness: Iowa State women fall in OT at Stanford
STANFORD, Calif. — Brooke Demetre hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime and Kiki Iriafen scored 11 of her career-high 41 points in OT, securing No. 2 Stanford a place in the Portland Regional with a thrilling 87-81 win over seventh-seeded Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night....READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: Heroic actions of bystander and firefighters save two people in West Des Moines house fire
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa- Heroic actions from a bystander and firefighters saved two people from a house fire in West Des Moines Sunday morning. Firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire on the corner of 1st Street and Maple Street near the Historic Valley Junction.... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Des Moines police: 2 people injured in overnight shooting
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two people are hospitalized following an overnight shooting in Des Moines. Police and fire crews responded to reports of a shooting on East 5th Street at around 1:50 a.m. Sunday, Des Moines police said on social media.....READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Birthdays and notables | | | Happy Birthday Levi Goodman!
These celebrities were born on this date: Elton John, Big Sean, William Franklyn-Miller, Will Buie Jr., Sarah Jessica Parker, Jenny Slate, Danica Patrick, Kyle Lowry, Jadon Sancho, Lee Pace, Aly Michalka
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why were the flight attendants so stressed out? BECAUSE OF THE CABIN PRESSURE! Or, Because everyone was getting "high"! - Carolyn Rogers. Or, Because the plane was a Boeing 737 and nobody had checked the nuts. - Rex Post.
Today's riddle
Why did the old alpine skier die so suddenly?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:
Mary Fowler
Account Executive
515-953-4822 x311
c: 641-485-0555
mary@dmcityview.com
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