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.

“I saw him in concert here in Savannah, Georgia, about 10 years ago (Gordon Lightfoot, May 3, 2023). He still sounded great and did all of his hits. ‘Rainy Day People’ always makes me smile. RIP, Gordon Lightfoot, and thanks for the memories.” - Lori 

It makes me smile, too. - Shane

“Shane, we did see Gordon Lightfoot in Des Moines, but our best concert ever was in Detroit when we got tickets to a concert billed as ‘Four Together’ on Oct. 15, 1977 (Gordon Lightfoot, May 3, 2023). It was Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver and a ‘special guest,’ who was not revealed until about an hour before the concert began. The special guest was James Taylor. They played ‘in the round’ on a revolving stage in the Detroit Hockey Arena for three hours. It was absolutely amazing. Lightfoot brought his guitar player, who accompanied all of the songs. If you search enough, you can find recordings from the concert. Unfortunately, no video as no iPhones back then.” - Dick

That would have been an amazing concert to see. - Shane

“Your comments are right on the money (No Mow May, April 25, 2023). You laid out a logical way to do it. No mowing at all is unacceptable.” - Jim 

And, as the month goes on, that is becoming quite apparent. - Shane

“I long for a pair of socks without elastic at top to keep them from drooping (Socks, May 9, 2023). That elastic cuts off circulation in my calf, so I have to fold it over toward my ankle. That is really not a good look.” - JD

Drooping is rarely a good look, in general. - Shane

“Shane, I'm a guy who absolutely, positively does not end sock life until there are four holes in each of them — two in the big toe and two in the little toe (Socks, May 9, 2023). They are always white, and a short memorial is performed before they are enshrined in the rag cemetery. My toenail trimming is coordinated to allow maximum usage from each sock. My wife says I have CSUS (compulsive sock usage syndrome), of which there is no cure.” - Jim

With four holes in them, I am guessing those socks are more gray than white. - Shane

“I guess it's fitting for an old newsman seeking the facts — all my socks are either black or white.” - Brad

And ‘tread’ all over! - Shane

“I was just at a networking event where when we were in small groups talked about the order of socks and shoes (Socks, May 9, 2023). For me it is left sock, right sock, left shoe, right shoe. No, I am not left handed, but I am left legged. I was writing in my early elementary days with my left hand, and I remember my teacher changing me to right-handed. Also, when I got older, socks with toes were a big deal. I loved mine and asked for them for Christmas for a few years. The only problem with these socks was if you wore a narrow toe boxed shoe, your toes were kind of scrunched.” - Lu Anne

And who wants scrunched toes? - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thank for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!

Best Local Car Dealership (Domestic)

1. Stivers Ford Lincoln

2. Willis Automotive

3. Karl Chevrolet

SEE EVENT PHOTOS HERE...

Your Clear Mortgage forecast from Jason Parkin

Rain chances continue off and on into a cooler Sunday. The upcoming week starts out dry.

For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Jason at parkin.mortgage

From fear of heights to climbing instructor

How does a man who was afraid of heights as a youth now own a climbing gym? It takes mental power and climbing… just one rock hold at a time.

Aaron Stevens, co-owner of Climb Iowa, recalls when he was a boy living in Kansas. His elementary school class went to the capitol building in Topeka. With a spiral walkway staircase, he and the class began walking up the winding stairs. Once at the top, students were given the opportunity to walk around the dome’s balcony for a spectacular view. Aaron didn’t.

“The entire class walked into the dome. I sat down and cried at the steps,” he recalls. “I was afraid of heights. I remember it vividly.”

... Read more in the May issue of Waukee Living magazine.

Happy Birthday tomorrow to Gina Chandler, Kerry Jacobsen, and Josh Eike, who will celebrate a milestone birthday!

These celebrities were born on this date: Rami Malek, Emily VanCamp, Emilio Estevez, Tony Hawk, Domhnall Gleeson, Ving Rhames, Steve Winwood, Gabriel Byrne, Rhea Seehorn, Kim Fields, Bruce Boxleitner, Samantha Mathis, Carla Hall

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle:
Why was the fraction worried about marrying the decimal? SHE KNEW SHE WOULD HAVE TO CONVERT! - Rex Post, Gail Tomlinson. Or Because it wasn’t rational. - William Snyder. Or S/he didn’t get the point of it (him/her). - Lori Bluml. Or It was afraid of missing the [decimal] point! - Carolyn Rogers.

Today's Riddle

Why was the fraction worried about marrying the decimal?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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