Category: History

  • A Game of Darts in Frankenstein Movies

    A Game of Darts in Frankenstein Movies

    I just saw the 1939 film “Son of Frankenstein” on Svengoolie last night. There was a double feature, but I didn’t see the second movie. I’m anything but a movie reviewer and all I’m going to do is point out a parody of the dart throwing scene between Wolf Frankenstein and Inspector Krogh in “Son…

  • Thoughts on the Big Mo Pod Show “Funkin’ Down the Highway”

    Thoughts on the Big Mo Pod Show “Funkin’ Down the Highway”

    This is a post about the Big Mo Pod Show we heard last night on the KCCK FM radio dial 106.9. Incidentally, the KCCK fund drive was enormously successful this year, earning $100,000 in donations, according to Big Mo (aka John Heim) himself. One item is the cover by Buddy Miles of the song “Tobacco…

  • Notes on the Blues and Rivers of Whiskey

    Notes on the Blues and Rivers of Whiskey

    I listened to the Big Mo Blues Show last night on KCCK radio (88.3 on your dial) as I usually do on Friday nights. It runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and you can learn a lot from Big Mo (aka John Heim) about the blues. He also has a podcast called the Big…

  • University of Iowa Writing Programs Get High Ranking from U.S. News & World Report

    University of Iowa Writing Programs Get High Ranking from U.S. News & World Report

    The University of Iowa ranks No. 9 across all universities in the country for its power in the writing disciplines., according to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. The school is well known for its writing programs of which the The Writers Workshop is the best known. The University of Iowa also gives medical…

  • Back to the Roller Window Shades?

    Back to the Roller Window Shades?

    I just heard about the new regulation banning cords on window shades. I didn’t know that window cords were so dangerous. We recently moved into our new house and need window coverings. We’ve had corded window coverings (mostly blinds) for years wherever we moved. I guess we’ll have to consider other options. This reminds me…

  • Thoughts on the Homeless Mentally Ill

    Thoughts on the Homeless Mentally Ill

    The homeless man who lives on the sidewalk outside our hotel reminds me of a couple of things. One is Dr. Gerard Clancy, MD who is University of Iowa Health Care Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Emergency Medicine, and Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs. I remember Gerry, who was in the department of psychiatry…

  • Historic Rock Island Line Depot in Iowa City

    Historic Rock Island Line Depot in Iowa City

    Last week while on our way to the Stanley Museum of Art, we saw the Rock Island depot at 115 Wright St in Iowa City. We’ve lived here 36 years and never visited this historic landmark before. It has interesting architecture and there is even a passenger bench inside. It was built in 1898 and…

  • Thoughts on Hobos and Homelessness

    Thoughts on Hobos and Homelessness

    We can see the man from our hotel window. We assume he’s homeless. He has a small area where he sits on the curb next to the street.  He does this most of the day. He has a blanket and a few other loose items which sometimes are strewn on the sidewalk or the grass.…

  • Dirty Laundromania

    Dirty Laundromania

    Because we’re staying in a hotel waiting for our house to be built, we have to take a different approach with our laundry. There are laundry facilities at the hotel, but there aren’t many machines. Sena usually takes it to a place called Laundromania. The motto is “We Never Clothes.” I went with her the…

  • Earthquakes and Railroads and Magic Fingers, Oh My!

    Earthquakes and Railroads and Magic Fingers, Oh My!

    The hotel we’re staying in while our house is being built is very close to railroad tracks. We hear the whistle and then, we feel the train going by. No kidding, we can feel the rumble. It shakes the chairs, the sofa, the bed. The whole room shakes for as long as the train passes…