Another year has passed quicker than we can say “Where did time go?” Over the past 12 months, I have brought you an assortment of natural history notes about the observations from the real world. All those stories touched on a brief glimpse into the workings of nature. It was fun to bring ...

In early November of this year, I received a request from the Honorable Judge Sharon Soorholtz Greer of the Iowa Court of Appeals to participate in a collaborative workshop to explore the overall needs and available resources for Marshall County citizens. Having worked with the community for ...

I became a widow at age 38 when my son was 7. Solo parenting is hard, but thanks to the Affordable Care Act I’ve been able to work part-time from home in a way that makes our lives work pretty well. In January, my health insurance premiums will jump 79%, from $191 per month to $342. For a ...

I was so light headed and unstable on my feet, I had to use one of those electric carts at the supermarket. A first! Geesh. I felt like an old man. Oh, I am an old man! Shoppers scrambled to get out of my way. At 77, I still have my fingers in Medicare insurance. I carry a bag with my ...

Since my husband and I went public with our family’s story about our son’s severe mental illness, my phone, inbox, and social media messages have been full. People reach out constantly — some looking for help for themselves, others desperate to find treatment for a loved one. They come ...

I have a story about Rob Reiner. But it doesn’t take place in L.A. or on a movie set. It was here in Iowa. In 2004, I was working as a writer and editor for the Times-Republican in Marshalltown. It was my first job out of college, and definitely not the kind of job where you expect to ...