Missouri kids

The kids are here, the Missouri kids. Been here since Tuesday. That is one reason why I have not been on here paying attention to business.
This morning I decided I had to get some of the stuff on record before it slips from memory.
Leo, little Leo that would be, says something or does something every day that is astounding. So does his sister, Elise but her feats are more subtle, mature and sophisticated. She is eight. I will get to her in a bit.

Back to Leo. He has a girlfriend. She is his bus buddy when they went to pre-kindergarten. He is five. He tells us his girlfriend is beautiful but crazy. Her name is Hadley. When asked why she is crazy he said she always wants to play Cat or Going to a Party. His mother asked him if Hadley would say he was crazy? He said, "No because I play multiple games." I was there and I heard it and yes, multiple was the word he used.
This morning we had a plan to go to the Belltower. Leo has been wanting to go to the Belltower even before he got here. I asked him why he wanted to go so bad and he said, "Because you can see the whole world from up there!" He was very impressed.
And then we were discussing how much it would cost to go. $3 for adults and kids are free. Leo offered the money he has in his billfold. He still has the money in it I gave him a couple of years ago. He said he had been saving it. I asked what he was saving it for. He said, without missing a beat, "To buy a house in Paris? Remember he is five!!

Elise, age 8 is growing up so very fast. She is a voracious reader. I have known quite a few of those in my life. In fact, my branch of the family is full of them and her Nana Susan is one too. Elise's mother, Amanda is a reading teacher. So the whole bit is deeply embedded in her. She brought 5 books with her and she has read four and working on her fifth. One of those was Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. I was working on this blog entry and not quite finished when she came up and started reading it over my shoulder. I wasn't sure how I felt about that at first but it was fine. I learned later that she reads at a rate of 192 words a minute. That seems very fast to me. I think her parents are going to have a hard time keeping her in books. Is there a BookBub.com for children? I will check on that. They do!
Her fifth book that she is reading now is "A Wrinkle in Time". Sure hope it is better than the movie.

It has been a busy 5 days! I have taken many pictures in the past 5 days, ridden the trail a couple times, walked a couple of times, been to Spring Lake and snapped photos throughout all of these events.

 Someone was getting their motorcycle license test?

Brother and sister consultation.

Gary walks fully protected from the sun.

Elise walks with Nana Susan

Miss Elise

Spring Lake Park, Greene County Iowa

Phoebe

Leo and Gary

 Leo said he was swimming and that is why the expression on his face looks as it does.

 Elise

This morning ride on the trail: Elise wanted to ride the trail with us and she did a very good job.

Forgotten on the trail

A Dickcissle

The kids in the tower.

Leo says I can see the restaurant we ate in. It is the A&W.

A train going under the Big Ass Overpass!

Unknown Biker

Talking to Thomas.

Because I can...

Can you tell the real from the fake?

June 27, 2018Greene County News Online

~a column by Colleen O’Brien

The term news literacy is defined as the ability to use critical thinking to judge the reliability and credibility of information, whether it comes via print, television or the Internet.

How we judge the news affects what we understand about world affairs and ultimately how we vote. If we don’t know how to tell if TV, radio, print, websites and social media are telling the truth or disseminating fake news, propaganda, hoaxes, rumors, satire and advertising, there is a website from the Center for News Literacy that might help (newsliteracy.org).

As well, the online university Coursera adapted into a six-week class the news literacy idea that began at the journalism school of State University of New York at Stony Brook a decade ago. The course concentrates on learning to decipher the distinctions between journalism, opinion journalism, and blowhards, what the meaning of fairness and balance is, and the responsibilities that come with having a recorder/TV/printing press in your pocket (that would be your cell phone).

Coursera classes look like this:
Week 1: The power of information is now in the hands of consumers.
Week 2: What makes journalism different from other types of information?
Week 3: Where can we find trustworthy information?
Week 4: How to tell what’s fair and what’s biased.
Week 5: How to apply news literacy concepts in real life.
Week 6: Meeting the challenges of digital citizenship.

Anyone interested can pay to take a graded course or take the course for free with no grading.

The site was designed to teach students how to deal with decisions they face now and that will increase as they come of age. According to press releases from Stony Brook, the results of the class are good: News Literacy students routinely consume more news from more sources, rate keeping up with the news as important, register to vote in high numbers, and can deconstruct video news stories effectively.

For the past decade the News Literacy course has been added to the curriculum of 50 universities in the U.S. and been taught in Hong Kong, Beijing, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Australia and Poland.

One of the original class instructors, Richard Hornik, veteran journalist from Time, Inc, said, “The ability of the next generation of citizens to judge the reliability and relevance of information will be a leading indicator of the public health of civil societies around the world.”

A paper published by the non-partisan public think tank Brookings Institution encouraged news literacy classes when it wrote that we’re living in a time in which the public perception of the reliability of professionals in media lies between bankers and car salesmen. Because we have trouble knowing if what we’re getting is fact or fiction, everybody in America needs a little help in critical thinking skills to spot the real journalists.

In a democracy, citizens get the government they deserve if they don’t vote from the facts. In this 21st century, we might get the journalism we want – as well as those public servants called politicians that are supposed to run the country for us – if we learn how to tell what is and what is not real news.

Trip North

We did a day trip up to Northern Iowa. It was a work session with Butch wiring John and Marie Kelley's garage. Thus we will need to make another day trip up just for fun. The trip up and back was pleasant and we would not mind doing it again. For one thing, we missed seeing some folks and so we must do a do-over. We listened to a book so the trip itself went fast.


We went to Marlene and Bernards place and then Butch and Bernard went to Spencer to help John with his garage. Marlene and I visited and then Dwight and Carolyn returned from their trip to see their daughter Anna who has recently moved to Cedar Rapids. It was a fun afternoon visiting with people we have not seen for a long time. Dwight grilled brats for supper and Marlene put her magic touch on some side dishes. It was quite a spread and very tasty.
 
On the way home, we stopped to see to see my little sis Myrla in Rockwell City. She is the sister who recently broke her arm to the point she needed a cadaver bone to repair it. She named it Dave you might recall. Dave and Myrla are getting along fine but she says it will be another 4 months with her arm in a device.
Myrla's quarter wolf-dog Hewy is not doing well. He is 14 now and has arthritis in his hips and the poor guy was cripping around pretty good. You could tell every step hurt.

We got home about 9:30 and that bed sure felt good.

Waze App

I suspicioned that Jason and Laura might be in the Des Moines area last night during the storm. They often go to Des Moines on Saturdays. So I had a bit of concern when the reports from there were bad. People were getting rescued from their cars. Over 10 inches of rain in Ankeny in a little over an hours time.
And then Jason called this morning and sure enough, they were in Des Moines during the deluge and he said it was bad. However, they use the WAZE APP and it was a good thing they do. He said they were taking an alternate route thinking they would get home quicker when the Waze app gave them a warning of "Hazard ahead"  and sure enough the water was over the road and one car had been swept off the road and into the ditch. Against his mothers better judgment they went through the water and got through it okay. Perhaps they would have been going much faster without the warning and also been swept off. I don't know. He did say they did not go through any more water and stopped at a Casey Store for over an hour till the rain let up a bit. It was late when they got home. They did get home safely and WAZE was a help to them. I also have this app on my phone now. One year going South in these same kinds of conditions it would have been very helpful to know what was ahead of us.
Here is an article about Google Maps and Waze and the comparison of each. Bottom line? They both have their place,
https://www.greenbot.com/article/3188669/android/google-maps-vs-waze-which-should-be-your-go-to-map-app.html

Storm Hunter App

Iowans are familiar with John Mclaughlin. He was our go-to guy for weather for years on Channel 8 KCCI-TV. But then John got sick and had to quit his job and his absence has had a big influence. We have missed him. John was from Glidden Iowa and that is not far from Jefferson but as it happens John and his wife decided to retire to Jefferson so he has become a local. John looks much healthier now so the treatment for his condition must have been very helpful. John is a nationally known meteorologist and really knows his stuff. In his retirement, John has put together a weather app. Our local business, Jefferson Telecom did a feature on him and his app and I was impressed enough to give the app a try. I had previously used The Weather Channel app. John's app is much easier to use. It is a free app and you can check it out on the link below.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=stormhunterweather.android&hl=en_US

Here is the article:

74 at 6:00 AM

I do not do well with heat. At least with cold you can put on more clothing. With heat you can only take off so much without getting arrested. So I decided to get up and water plants first thing. The mosquitoes had a thing or two to say about that as well. Pesky little devils!

We have a little house finch who has taken a liking to our fountain. He perches on the edge and just watches it. We are having a good time watching him!

 Below is a catbird. I wasn't sure what it was but that is where I started looking and sure enough, I was right. Having a bit more confidence in my identifying ability.

I am pretty sure this is our fountain watcher but today he decided to swing.

We are doing inside things with the heat being what it is. Last night we watched the last episode of season 2 of  The Handmaids Tale on Hulu. We can always find something on Netflix or Hulu that we like. I am not sure why but we always have trouble finding something on Amazon. A tip that may work for others is that I do my browsing online (computer) I find it easier than trying to work the remote on the TV to sort through the options. Then I make a list. Often times, after time has gone by, I forget why I may have chosen a selection but it usually is something we like.

Hotter than Hades

They are predicting really hot temps for the next few days. I think moderation in all things has been completely removed from the dictionary. The heat was predicted but at the same time, they promised a couple of dry days. Now they say we are not getting that either!
Butch is out on the golf course in his new SUN hat. It could get wet!
He does look good in it. With both of us dealing with skin cancers on our face we are taking a bit more care in protecting ourselves these days.

 I do not do good selfies.

And these are other pics of the last couple of days. The deer were on the trail today when Virginia and I went for our walk.

 And this is a juvenile House Finch. I tried to get a shot of our fountain spurting but could never catch it in mid-spurt. Just not quick enough.

On our walk, Virginia and I discovered we have much in common to our surprise. Virginia was born and raised in Linden Iowa and lived there for the first 50 years of her life, Just a block or two from Butch's uncle and aunt, Albert and Zoe Mix and their daughters Greta Fay and Gwendolyn. We are both former square dancers and remembered dancing to several callers. We very likely could have been at dances together and not even realized it. Our son Jason and her daughter Kathy were in the same graduating class in Panora. Her daughter graduated from Northwest Missouri State where our son Gary graduated from and even though 2 years apart in age they would have been on campus at the same time for part of their time there. It was a fun walk getting acquainted and connecting all the dots.

Bill and Jo family

Bill and Jo Brooker family (partial)

The State of things

The state of Iowa cannot seem to catch a break. They had a bitterly cold winter and then went straight into summer and now we are in monsoon season. It looks and feels like a rainforest and the only moving thing that is happy about it are the bugs!

Looking on the bright side I do not have to water my plants.

I walked this morning and added a new walking partner. Virginia and I have run into each other on the trail frequently the last couple of years but today we walked together and enjoyed each others company. The time goes so quickly when you are engaged in conversation and good walking partners are not all that easy to come by so we have agreed on a time for tomorrow morning.

Butch does his walking on the golf course and lately his feet get wet. That is where he is now.

Yesterday was a rainy day...again! So we turned to Netflix. And run onto a show called Backroad Bounty, a Canadian version of the American Pickers. We watched a couple of episodes and it looks like one we will enjoy

LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
I couldn’t believe that the highway department called my dad a thief. But when I got home, all the signs were there.

InBox Surprise

My email this morning included a surprise from Butch's brother Don including a picture of him and his three handsome sons. They all live in the Kansas City area.

Brian, Don, Steve, and Brad

Still waiting!

Today's Ride

Keri and I rode bikes out to Bull Head Farm this morning. The goats have gone through all the foliage they seemed to get lost in when Colleen and I made the trip and have been moved further away so we passed on a close-up visit and headed back.
We had stopped at the bridge on the way south and the water is many feet high and rising. I took a few pictures.

 Keri

Missouri Kids at the Zoo

Leo and Keri's Grandson

Beckett

Stand still! Will ya?

My trip on the trail... I rode the bike out to Bullhead Farm or almost that far. On the way, I spotted an Indigo Bunting. They are hard to capture so I stopped my bike and carefully readied my camera and seemingly out of nowhere a recumbent bike whizzes past me yelling "sorry!!" on his way by. It is a much-appreciated courtesy to make your presence known on the trail BEFORE you come upon someone. Bicycles are for the most part very quiet. So with a heavy sigh, I get back on my bike and proceed. We have had an abundance of rain so the river is running high and fast. I think it spooks the wildlife. So venturing on and as I near Bullhead Farm I spot a Bullock Oriole. I didn't know which oriole it was until I got home and looked it up. It was skittering around the bushes and I thought I had a chance to get a photo if I stuck around a while so with that in mind I got off my bike and that is when the 'muskietoes' started swarming me. So scrap that idea!  No goat photos on this day!

As I am returning and just north of the bridge I spot a very large Heron standing in some standing water at the bottom of the ridge. From past experience I know Herons spook at the least little sound or sight so while I am blocked from view, I stop behind a tree, ready my camera and sneak back to where I can get a shot. I raise the camera to my face and he squawks and takes off! He was huge! But I didn't get the shot...AGAIN! So I decide the only pictures I am going to get this day are of things that do not move. I had spotted one of my favorite flowers- Russian Thistle- and planned a stop just past the road where I first saw some in bloom. As I am assessing the situation, I look up and see a deer on the trail. Hope! And then a garbage truck goes by behind me and the deer disappeared. It wasn't meant to be.  See the photos below. And the final one of a cardinal in my own backyard.

Travel plans?

From Kay Voss

This is a letter to me from Kay V. who used to be in Magnolia Park. I thought many of you might find it interesting.-Barb

How is your summer going?  We have had our share of hot weather, some rain but lately have been missing the rains by a few miles.   I have picked near 90 pounds of asparagus so far....frozen some and did try pickled asparagus.   I doubt I will do that again; too much work getting it cut to the jar size!  

We just returned home from Minneapolis--our daughter, Jodi, graduated from nursing school.  The trip included 3 days away from home.  It was hard on Jim, but we needed to be there for her.   Jim took a "maintenance" chemo in May that was not supposed to affect him---phooey.  He had to have 4 blood transfusions and still is not back to normal.   No more chemo for the summer at least.  He is supposed to gain weight, but can't seem to get the job done.   Jim bought a new riding lawn mower, weed eater, and garden tiller for me.....guess I have inherited new jobs.   Also raising chickens that will be butchered in a few weeks.  I sure hope Jim can cut off the heads----cleaning I can do...

Well, take care....it was nice to hear from you!   Kay

So then I told her that when she talks about her extreme canning many of my friends ask me what she does with all that food. Her answer was interesting too. She is perhaps the only person I know who does canning for a hobby.-Barb

Well,  I started all this because my mom used a lot of my canned food in her later years.  It was hard for her to go get too many groceries, being an independent type.....then when she passed and our 2 girls were starting out, they needed help.  It just continued and the girls, and now granddaughter come to my "store" and help themselves.   I enjoy canning and they love the organic and self-storage of canned food.  We purchase and butcher beef to share with them....tastes so much better!   16 yr old granddaughter prepares homemade meals, including pie crust/pies and she has canned by herself.   I showed her how to can milk---she loves that.   She always surprises me....next year she has been accepted by the U of M  for 2 years of college, totally skipping the last 2 yrs of high school.  Way above grandma!!   A different world than when we were kids for sure.   Kay

Butch's Squirrel

Rainy Day

I have known for a few years now that I would not have a problem living in the desert. I am reminded of it every time it rains for days on end. I said to Butch it makes it hard to get anything done and his response was and yet you did. He was referring to our making a reservation for next season in Texas. Different park, different address, and different spot. Time marches on and change is part of it.

Jason asked me to get the following info rounded up because his doctor wanted it. I thought I would add it to this post to remind others to get checked. If you have a spot on your body that stays irritated and doesn't want to heal, itches frequently and you find yourself touching it a lot, it is time to get it checked.

Barb- BCC -basal cell carcinoma 2 locations, forehead and left earlobe

Butch-SCC-Squamous cell carcinoma  1 location, Left side of the face

Gary- Melanoma on arm removed in fall of 2017 biopsied another possible location last week- results in next Wednesday.

A side note. Went to the hairdresser this morning and she said she had referred 3 of her clients to a dermatologist just this year.

There were places she had noticed on their scalp.

Take care!

Microsoft Update

Let's face it. I have a love/hate relationship with Microsoft.
1. They have very large updates that bog down your computer making it slow.
2. The updates take forever, sometimes as much as 8 hours to install.
3. Depending on the age of your computer, you may need something "fixed" after the initial headaches of downloading and installation.

That being said sometimes there is a little surprise of something nice. Like a small gift you did not expect.
Click on: Computer Tip-Calculator upgrade

I am speaking particularly about a currency converter. Want to know what the peso is doing in Mexico? Now you can check it out before making the trip. This morning before writing this I found out for every US dollar it takes $20.56 pesos. And Canada's exchange is US $1 for every Canadian $1.33. I hope I said that right.

A Look Back to 2010

This is a post from when we were in Michigan. I enjoyed a look back.

https://brooker3.blogspot.com/search/label/Art%20Fair