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.

“Mom was a firm believer in clothes lines. Never owned a dryer (Clothes lines, June 17, 2024). The washer was in the basement, so this 4-foot, 11-inch dynamo would do wash and then drag all the items up the stairs and out to the line. We were not allowed to hang on our posts. Our duty was to clean them up and paint them once a year. Grey only. Mom shared that she was hanging out laundry on the day I was born. Somebody was driving down the street and hollered at her. She was mighty pregnant and said to herself, ‘If you only knew, buddy. I was getting this done before I head to the hospital for my fourth bundle of joy.’ ” - Rex

Bundle of joy? Did that reference stick? - Shane

“That opening paragraph was nails (Clothes lines, June 17, 2024).” - Brian

I was shooting for 16 penny. - Shane

“I want to know whose relative came up with ‘informed delivery.’ I'm like a lot of people who have my mail delivered to a communal mailbox for our townhouses (Postage stamps, June 19, 2024). Most days, I'll pass it at least once. It's not imperative for me to know what's coming in the mail anyway. It's a service we've lived without for a very long time and for what I'm sure is an astounding amount of money we can live without. Additionally, now they've increased the vendors revenue by selling advertising it appears.” - John

You can learn a lot about someone by looking at all the mail they receive. Just imagine how much data the USPS has on each one of us now by scanning all our mail. - Shane

“I confess. I have soaped a door handle in a Casey's. Several times (Mailbag, Thursday, June 20, 2024).” - Brad

How about an escalator handrail? Equally amusing. - Shane

“On the subject of slang, I’m a Gen X female (born 1970), and my most commonly used slang is dude. I call everyone dude, regardless of gender or age (Far out, man, June 24, 2024). I wish I could stop it, to be honest. But, dude. I can’t help it. It’s ingrained in my head forever.” - Kelly

It's copacetic, dude. - Shane

“I was born in 1959, so I really picked up slang in the late 1960s and 1970s (Far out, man, June 24, 2024). Your words, man, were absolutely groovy, ya know. Sock it to me, baby. Did it ever take me back. What a blast. Thanks.” - Donna

Dyno-mite! - 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.

STRAY THOUGHTS
Rules optional for some, mandatory for others

By Randy Evans

You know how some memories stick with you for no logical reason? One such memory involves my dad in the 1960s when I was a teenager.
After World War II, my father worked for the City of Bloomfield, eventually becoming operator of the city’s water treatment plant.

Pop graduated from high school on the eve of the Great Depression. His most intense period of book-learning after high school came in the 1960s when Iowa decided to require state licenses for operators of municipal water treatment plants and sewage treatment plants.

After so many years away from the classroom, this was a time of anxiety as Pop prepared for the licensing exam. He attended classes at night and had his nose in textbooks other evenings.

[...]

CITYVIEW's seasonal guide for activities and things to do in Central Iowa

EXPLORE: Local Sports

By Cyote Williams

Local athletes try to etch their names in the record books at IHSAA and IGHSAU championships while some of the next best professionals hone their skills.

Swanson thriving at 99
Becomes a centenarian in September

By Lindsey Giardino

Take one look at Keith Swanson and you would never guess that he’s about to turn 100 years old.

Swanson still lives by himself in an Ankeny apartment, cooks (although he enjoys eating out with friends and family often) and drives. In fact, he recently took a more than 300-mile trip to southeast Iowa by himself.
In a word, he is thriving.

Keith Swanson with five generations of his family. Photo by Willie Taylor

[...]

These celebrities were born on this date: Alessandro Nivola · Camille Guaty · Danielle Brisebois · Elon Musk · Gil Bellows · John Cusack · John Elway • Sofia Chicorelli Serna • Diamond Strawberry • Kathy Bates • Kellie Pickler

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

When does a hippo have a tusk? WHEN IT HAS RHINO-PLASTY! - Gail Tomlinson. Other guesses from Rex Post.

Today's riddle

Why did the couple hire a vegetarian DJ?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Ankeny, Altoona, Bondurant Living magazines, contact:

Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com

©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
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