Category: reflections

  • Do Barbers Still Exist?

    Do Barbers Still Exist?

    About once or twice a year, I consider going DIY on getting my hair cut. My wife has been doing it for decades and cutting mine as well. Do barbers still exist? Or are we now calling them stylists? I grew up in the era when males usually sat in dim waiting rooms with a…

  • Baby Boomer Tools

    Baby Boomer Tools

    The featured image for this post is a group of three snow shovels, one of which is my new ergonomic snow shovel, which is the one with the silver handle with the black grip. It’s right next to the old one, roughly the same model only with a crack in the blade from the time…

  • Am I a Mover and a Shaker—or Just Shaky?

    Am I a Mover and a Shaker—or Just Shaky?

    I sometimes wonder about whether I’m a mover and a shaker or just shaky. I think it’s the latter. I’ve known plenty of movers and shakers and they tend to be great planners. On the other hand, I tend to take the path of least resistance. Often, I don’t consider enough options and just settle…

  • House Hunting Disorder

    House Hunting Disorder

    House Hunting Disorder might be my suggestion to add to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders, whenever the American Psychiatric Association gets around to updating. Shopping is not one of my favorite things to do. Shopping for houses (especially a retirement home) is something I would suggest running away from if you…

  • Over the Double Rainbow

    Over the Double Rainbow

    We saw a double rainbow while out for a walk during a gentle rain. I know they’re not rare, they form because light bounces off raindrops, and all that. I’m not after the science angle here. I’m just hoping this was a sign of good luck to come. I’m pretty sure I’ve probably seen a…

  • A Beer Called Ruthie

    A Beer Called Ruthie

    Ruthie is a good name for a beer. It’s a craft brew made by Exile Brewing Company in Des Moines, Iowa. It was named the official craft beer of the Iowa State Fair this year. There’s a cute picture of Ruthie on the bottle pouring beer into a couple of glasses balanced on her bosom.…

  • Let Happiness Leak

    Let Happiness Leak

    This is just a post to offset the grumpy one from a couple of days ago. Sena and I took a walk on the Clear Creek Trail and she broke me up with her shenanigans. Along the way, we found a painted rock in a tree which had the word “corridor rocks” printed on it.…

  • Signs to Guide Me

    Signs to Guide Me

    It’s been a long while since my last post. I’ve been busy looking for signs to help guide me in adjusting to this retirement gig. It’s a tough skill set to learn. I saw this bug on our house the other day. It turned out to be a Praying Mantis. Don’t quibble about the precious…

  • Hickory Hill Park Ramble

    Hickory Hill Park Ramble

    We visited Hickory Hill Park today in Iowa City. We’ve lived in this area for 30 years and have been near it but never walked a trail until now. It’s full of trees, birds, and other wildlife, including deer, which seemed to pose for the camera. I say we’ve been near it because we have…

  • Gerber Daisies

    Gerber Daisies

    Just a short post on the Gerbera Daisy (common name Gerber). Sena planted it in our garden recently and it is firetruck red. They symbolize innocence, purity, and, most of all, cheerfulness. When I need a little cheering up, I just look at the Gerber Daisies.