It is the time of year when I realize the difference in body temperatures between my wife and me. I am wearing shorts and a T-shirt in the house with the AC cranked down, and Jolene has a sweatshirt, sweatpants and socks on with a blanket wrapped around her.

I guess, if I think back to my youth, I have always been warm-blooded. The shirts of my youth, regardless of the weather, were short-sleeved, if I wore any shirt at all. I don’t think I owned a sweater or a long-sleeved shirt until I was in junior high. Socks seemed to be optional as well. As much as I love slippers today, my feet would have been soaking wet if I wore them as a kid.

We did not have central air conditioning in the homes of my youth, but we did have a huge window AC unit. I would stand in front of it with my eyes closed and feel that ice-cold air on my skin while my Shaun-Cassidy-like hair blew straight back. Now I just sweat while continually losing the thermostat battle with my wife. I do have a secret trick now, though, as I installed an app on my phone that allows me to control the furnace and AC… and she hasn’t.

This difference in temperature preference is not limited to our home. It also makes its way to our office and our vehicles, where the differences are even more apparent.

My office at the Big Green Umbrella headquarters faces west and has a window. Jolene’s is in the middle of the building without any glass. With a 10 degree or more difference in the temperatures, I have a ceiling fan on most of the day and the blinds shut in the afternoon. Jolene wears a parka.

As far as vehicles, Jolene can do whatever she wants in hers. But my truck is my domain, and I like to find things the way I left them. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. Jolene turns every dial and adjusts every vent each time she gets in my truck, even as a passenger. Much like the youthful me, I like the vents on me at full power, even without the Shaun-Cassidy-like hair.

My mother-in-law seemed to have the answer to this temperature stuff, at least in her vehicle. When she would visit our home in the winter, I would go outside and start her minivan for her to warm it up before she left. As such, I would crank the heat dial and the fan. She asked me to stop doing that, stating that she sets the temperature and the fan control where she wants it and never touches it. Seems logical to me. My wife? Let’s just say the “like mother, like daughter” thing doesn’t always hold true. That’s not always a bad thing, as many of you men who are reading this might agree. The differences in Jolene’s and my temperature preferences isn't always a bad thing either, as it forces us to maintain a balance between what we want and how to please each other. So I gladly readjust the temperature controls, dress light and have the fans on me, and we enjoy these warm summer days.

Have a terrific Tuesday, 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.

POLITICAL MERCURY
‘Nuclear War: A Scenario’

By Douglas Burns

Deep in the warm hurricane of 1980s nostalgia-minded groups on Facebook are the occasional references to fearful school-kid preparation exercises for a forefront haunt to humanity at the time — the night-shaking stalk of the prospect of a world-ending nuclear holocaust.

Remember duck and cover under the chewing-gum-ridden desk chairs? Or the 1983 Parade magazine article by Carl Sagan about nuclear winter — back when 10 million pajama-clad read the Sunday national glossy in their local newspapers?

[...]

Governors Days
Festival fun returns with carnival, parade and so much more.

By Ashley Rullestad

Grimes Governors Days is back June 6-8 and better than ever. Promising something for the whole family, the weekend is packed full of activities, food, rides, tournaments and, of course — fun.

“Our organization is very excited to again be working on this important and impactful community event,” says Brian Buethe, president/CEO Grimes Chamber and Economic Development.

Governors Days, sponsored by Inspiring Dance, will again be held at the South Sports Complex, 750 S. James St. People are encouraged to park at Wallace Farm at the end of Main Street and walk the two blocks to the festival grounds.

Governors Days officially kicks off on Thursday night, June 6, with two sporty, fun events: the Special Olympics Softball Tournament on Fields 1 and 2 at 5 p.m. followed by the SoCo Baggers Sports League Bags Tournament at 6:30 p.m.

[...]

These celebrities were born on this date: Cody Johnson, David Ajala, Havoc, Lisa Edelstein, Nick Cassavetes, Ron Isley, Sarah Ramos, Josh Allen, Kevin Quinn, Hutch Dano, Mr. T, Noel Fielding

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why do hamburgers fly south for the winter? SO THEY DON'T FREEZE THEIR BUNS! - Gail Tomlinson, Carolyn Rogers.. OR, Hamburgers flew because they were tired of GROUND transportation. - John Zeitler. Or, To avoid the DQ Blizzard! - Rex Post

Today's riddle

What's a sock's favorite horror movie?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or CITYVIEW, contact:  

Aaron Burns
Advertising Sales Manager
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 330
Mobile: 712-310-3860
aaron@dmcityview.com

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