Category: Iowa

  • A Small Update to a Pseudo-Rap YouTube Video and a Big Tribute to Dr. Robert G. Robinson

    A Small Update to a Pseudo-Rap YouTube Video and a Big Tribute to Dr. Robert G. Robinson

    I just noticed something about one of my YouTube videos that I made sort of as a combination gag and educational piece about pseudobulbar affect. It needed a couple of updates—one of which is minor and which I should have noticed 10 years ago when I made it. It’s a pseudo-rap performance (badly done, I…

  • The Big Mo Pod Show: “In the Pocket”

    The Big Mo Pod Show: “In the Pocket”

    Here’s something fun, try to explain what the phrase “in the pocket” means. The song selections in the pod show led up to a short discussion of what it means—which I didn’t get at all. I don’t think it matters for the ordinary listeners, although former music teachers like Big Mo obviously know what the…

  • The Hummingbird is a Blur!

    The Hummingbird is a Blur!

    Yesterday I noticed a hummingbird hovering about the flower pots on our porch. I hurried to get my point and shoot camera and shot video, through a window as usual and it was getting a little late in the evening too, so light was low.   Can I blame the bird for always looking like…

  • Extreme Heat Watch This Week in Eastern Iowa!

    Extreme Heat Watch This Week in Eastern Iowa!

    There’s an extreme heat watch starting tomorrow through Thursday in eastern Iowa. Heat indices of 95 to 105+ are expected. There is a list available of cooling centers published by KCRG although that was published on June 20, 2025, so it is not current. Heat safety tips are at this link.

  • Svengoolie Movie: “The Black Cat” vs The Weather Report

    Svengoolie Movie: “The Black Cat” vs The Weather Report

    The atmosphere for the Svengoolie TV show airing of the 1934 movie “The Black Cat” was nothing short of electric—as in electrical storm. I thought the mood of ambivalence in the film was firmly set for about the first half hour of the movie. That was how long the TV station weather alert was on…

  • Starting Without the Big Mo Blues Show Today!

    Starting Without the Big Mo Blues Show Today!

    Well, I’ve been waiting all morning for the Big Mo Pod Show and it usually shows up long before now on Saturday morning. In spite of this, Big Mo did say on the blues show last night that the first two songs on the show would be on the pod show and I know what…

  • How Will I Get to Heaven? Rounding at Iowa Podcast: End of life Doulas

    How Will I Get to Heaven? Rounding at Iowa Podcast: End of life Doulas

    I listened to the Rounding@Iowa podcast “End-of-Life Doulas” twice because I’m at that difficult age when I think about my personal death. I don’t think about it at great length, mind you, but when I think about it, I feel afraid. Early mornings tend to be the time I wonder how much time now until…?…

  • Big Mo Pod Show: “Wiggle Your Way Into People’s Hearts”- and Down The Rabbit Hole!

    Big Mo Pod Show: “Wiggle Your Way Into People’s Hearts”- and Down The Rabbit Hole!

    Hey, I’ve got some confusion about one of the tunes in the Big Mo Pod Show today. I heard most of the Big Mo Blues Show last night although I think I might have dozed off for a few minutes about the time one song came on about 7:40 pm. I guess I don’t feel…

  • Thoughts on Long Covid

    Thoughts on Long Covid

    I read Dr. Ron Pies, MD’s essay today, “What Long COVID Can Teach Psychiatry—and Its Critics.” As usual, he made thought- provoking points about the disease concept in psychiatry. What I also found interesting was the connection he made with Long Covid, a debilitating illness. He cited someone else I know who was involved with…

  • Meet Mr. Slim Indigo!

    Meet Mr. Slim Indigo!

    Just like a few days ago, yesterday evening while we were playing cribbage, Sena spied a slim indigo bunting. This one flew right up to our window! It was probably not the same one we first saw. That guy was buff, likely because he’d been branch pressing in the gym. This character was slim and…