Welcome to an extra edition of the mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.
“Shane, I loved reading your column about learning to drive a stick shift (The stick shift, March 9, 2026). While in high school in the early 1970s, my friend and her younger brother had a 3-speed 1965 Ford Fairlane. This is the car I learned to drive, with their help and encouragement. A favorite story we still laugh about is getting stuck behind another vehicle while trying to drive up and out of a parking garage in Sioux City. As a young married couple, my husband and I bought an early 1980s Ford Bronco II. Once again, I was able to drive a stick shift I so loved. In the early 2000s, I bought a four-on-the-floor Ford Ranger for my kids to drive to school. My daughters tried but didn’t take to it like I had hoped. Learning to drive a stick can be frustrating. My boys, however, took to it and seemed to enjoy it. I don’t know how easily it would come back to me, but I often long to try. Thanks for the memories!” - Deb
Sounds to me like you have a plan for this Saturday afternoon. - Shane
“I’m that way with keys, Shane (The mystery remote, March 19, 2026). We have way more keys than we could ever possibly have locks, and yet I’m afraid to throw them away ‘just in case.’ Furthermore, I probably don’t know the location of half of the keys for the active locks we do have. - Mike
I have an idea. Let’s make a sculpture out of keys. It will be beautiful — and quite big. - Shane
“Good Morning, Shane. Another great memory-triggering commentary today (The mystery remote, March 19, 2026). Oh, the resistance many of us have in tossing nonessential items in our life that had, at one time, a perceived value. One day, I will understand that holding on to those items does not help them retain worth. Until then — the junk drawer. Every home has one. It is an archival trove of that household's history and an accumulating storage of useless items that, if they became animated like some cartoon critters, would laugh at our folly. More good stuff from the mind of the Umbrella Sage.” - John
Junk drawer? Singular? - Shane
“So right on. Really enjoyed the column (Spring break?, Monday, March 23, 2026). Our little community didn’t know anything about spring break. Friday and Monday off and back at it. I got a few more hours in at the grocery store for some additional spending money.” - Pat
Thank goodness for the jelly beans. - Shane
“I didn't even know what ‘Spring Break’ was until the movie ‘Where The Boys Are’ came out when I was in college (Spring break?, Monday, March 23, 2026). And I grew up in a college town. I guess Iowans were too busy studying and saving their money so there would be some to pay for their retirement. But there have still been plenty of good memories without those spring break frolics.” - Margaret
Clearly, I need to watch this movie — and NOT the 1984 remake. - Shane
Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
Read more of Shane Goodman's columns here. | 
