Getting here was amazingly easy – drive South, turn Left Right at Des Moines – and Iowa was so much more beautiful than I’d expected!
I don’t know what my expectations were of Iowa, I don’t know that I spent much time thinking about it (sorry, Iowa…) However, as I drove through Iowa and Nebraska, I found the beauty of the rolling, green farmland stunning.
Grant Wood was on to a good thing. Geez, I love his stuff. Why didn’t I ever put 2 + 2 together?
There was some flatness, but not nearly as flat as Northern Ohio or Texas. Iowa & Nebraska, you gave Virginia a run for it’s money – and that’s hard to do!
Driving, I’ve missed you. Yes, I know it’s not energy efficient (although it was MUCH cheaper than flying to Omaha) but I feel much more centered when I drive to an engagement. I like my car time.
I have an hour or so before my lecture this evening. I’m REALLY looking forward to it – I’ve been honing it for a bit, and had a nice chat with Hannah about lectures and public speaking. They’re studying it at the Breakthrough program right now. She asked me if I used body language and humor. I told her that was about ALL that I used, the rest was commentary.
Speaking of flying, I awoke to news that NWA is canceling their direct flights to Paris starting in October. Hannah and I are going in late September, due to return on 10/2. Hmmm – wonder how this will affect us?
First-quarter [2008] profits at Exxon Mobil Corp. were $10.9 billion. The company’s 2007 profit was $40.6 billion. – A.P., June 25, 2008
I wonder if they could take some of that profit and fund the Meals on Wheels programs that are cutting back across the country due to high fuel costs? There is nothing that isn’t being affected by this, and my fear is that the spiral will begin to twirl faster and faster down.
Time to stay home and knit.
Politics
I don’t ask anyone to adhere to my own political or religious beliefs, but this is a blog where I write about a LOT more than just knitting. Other subjects creep in, and I allow them.
I love my country fiercely, but I feel that we’re better than we’re presenting ourselves to the world right now. We are better than this.
There will be no ‘perfect’ candidate, but of course I want to support the one who seems to reflect my own beliefs in the clearest way. If you don’t agree with me, that’s fine – but don’t expect me not to discuss something that is very close to my heart at this time. We’re at a watershed, and this election will determine many things.
I don’t talk much about politics when I teach – I do mention certain things, but I try to keep it pretty neutral. But, being a human being, I have opinions and thoughts and feelings, I can’t pretend that I’m an automaton.
I’ve always felt that if we talk about politics (or religion) with respect, we CAN talk about it.
So I’ll try my best to be respectful, and I hope you’ll respect my right to my opinion. And I promise I’ll respect your right to disagree with me on anything. Even decreases and increases.
And now I’m off to find a Denny’s, or someplace where I can get breakfast before I teach. I’m feeling a need for scrambled eggs and bacon. I have no idea why, but it’s almost a craving.