As they began to talk about starting a family together, they came to the conclusion that they wanted to be close to family again and were moving back to the Des Moines area. That made us smile.

We were able to see Samantha through the pregnancy process, and we were at the hospital shortly after their son was born. Holding Callahan in my arms for the first time was amazing, and doing so each time since has been as well. No phone call or video call could ever replace that.

I am greatly looking forward to the years ahead, too. Walking. Talking. Birthday parties. Ball games. And whatever he chooses to be involved in. But what I look forward to the most is the time we can spend together, just the two of us. Playing games at the kitchen table. Working on a project together in the garage. Going on boat rides. And just talking about whatever he wants to talk about.

My grandparents had all died by the time I was 5 years old, but I have a few wonderful memories of my Grandpa Lane. I have mentioned some of these in prior columns, but they are worth repeating, at least in my mind. I can still envision him. In bib overalls. Sitting in his recliner. Looking and me and thinking how he could make me laugh.

He would ask me if I wanted to see a monkey, and, of course, I always did. So I would jump up on his lap, and he would pull out his pocket watch and turn the shiny side over so I could see my reflection. We both would then giggle. I fell for that one repeatedly.

Grandpa also had dentures and would look out of the corner of his eyes to see the amazement on my face when I watched him take them out. He would tell me I could do it, too, if I tried harder. And then he would chuckle while watching me, his 15th and final grandchild, yank feverishly on my own teeth.

I was fortunate to be able to spend time with my grandpa, albeit not as much as I would have liked. I loved him dearly, and I want to do all I can to be sure my grandson and my future grandchildren will have those same opportunities with me.

Look to www.iowalivingmagazines.com throughout the month of February for our grandparenting stories. I hope they remind you of time spent with your grandparents and possibly provide some guidance for you as you do some grandparenting either now or down the road. And, through it all, I hope you can create some cherished memories — and maybe see a few monkeys, too.

Have a magnificent 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 past columns here.

FROM KCCI: Iowa girl battling cystic fibrosis gets dream trip from Make-A-Wish. DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa girl battling cystic fibrosis is getting her dream trip, thanks to Make-A-Wish Iowa. Make-A-Wish Iowa and Hy-Vee surprised 8-year-old Aaliyah Peters with the trip on Friday. ...READ MORE

FROM WHO-TV:  Two arrested in connection to cemetery thefts in northern Iowa. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Iowa — Two people have been arrested in connection to cemetery thefts across several northern Iowa counties. According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, two people have been arrested following an extensive investigation involving the disappearance of grave and historical site markers. ...READ MORE

FROM WOI: Iowa activists rally against mass deportations, call out Trump’s agenda. Hundreds of activists from across the state gathered at the Capitol to criticize President Trump's immigration policies.   ...READ MORE

Clear Mortgage meteorology

A breezy day takes us into a warmer week. Rain/snow chances Friday night into Saturday.

For help with pre-approvals or refinancing, get in touch with Originating Branch Manager Carrie Hansen at carrie.mortgage.

Pepsi vs. Coke war news. Costco introduced a $1.50 “hot dog combo deal” in 1984 and has never raised the price. The deal and its cult following became the epitome of the marketing term “loss leader” and is taught in business colleges. In 2018, it was reported that Costco sold a yearly average of 135 million hot dogs, which is more than every Major League baseball stadium combined.
         Costco’s legendary founder and longtime CEO James Sinegal famously told his board in 2013, "If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out." In 2004, Costco switched from Hebrew National quarter pound dogs to their own Kirkland brand, non kosher dog. Originally paired with a 20-ounce Coke, they switched to Pepsi in 2013 to cut costs. Last week they switched back to Coca Cola.  

Chicken noodle cough drops. Fulfilling a need that never existed, Progresso announced a new way for soup lovers to consume chicken noodle soup this cold and flu season. The soup company launched Soup Drops, "chicken noodle soup-flavored hard candy drops" that resemble cough drops.

Monday deals
• Eastside Eddie’s (3517 E. 26th St., Des Moines) Monday  special is a burger with domestic beer, soft drink or well drink for $10. Those are good, generously sized burgers, too.

• Centro (1003 Locust St., Des Moines) offers half-price pizza and Peronis on Monday.

• Who's on First (810 E. First St., Ankeny) has steak night on Monday, and it's an 8-ounce filet with salad, mashed potatoes and beans for $22.95 

• Pelican Post (265 50th St., West Des Moines) has a special today on hot beef sandwiches, $10.95 until 4 p.m. 

• Tito’s Lounge (3916 Urbandale Drive, Urbandale) offers all-you-can-eat wings Mondays. 

• Trostel's Greenbriar (5810 Merle Hay Road, Johnston) offers half-pound steak burgers with fries or salad and a beer for a Monday-only price of $14 

• Monday brings prime rib specials to both Chicago Speakeasy (1520 Euclid Ave., Des Moines) and Christopher's (2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines).

• Johnny's Hall of Fame (302 Court Ave., Des Moines) has $12 burger baskets on Mondays and Fridays.

• Urban Cellars (640 S. 50th St., West Des Moines) offers $60 wine dinners for two on Mondays including two entrees with soup or salad, a dessert and a bottle of wine. 

• Club 2000 (422 Indianola Road, Des Moines) has a burger basket with fries deal Mondays for $9. 

• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a Monday special homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich for $12.50.

• Price Chopper delis offer two piece, bone-in fried chicken dinners, with two sides and a roll, for $6 on Mondays.   

• Fareway has deals this week offering St. Louis spareribs at $2.99/pound, fresh green beans at 99 cents/pound and pork ribeyes at 4 for $5. 

— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com