They stand at their window and watch squirrels romp and play in their yard. “Never have I seen so many squirrels!” Ivanna Zimroz, laughs. “Even the squirrels are happy here!” Her five kids clu…

When God created Mankind, he knew we’d need the basics. Food. Water. Shelter. He provided a lush garden to meet those needs. Then Adam took a nap, Eve was added to Eden, and Paradise was complete.

Well, I may have never been to Paris, France, but I did spend Friday and Saturday in Paris, Missouri. There is a very nice antique show at the Paris High School gym in March and as such it is …

Tis the season for more political stuff than normal to start appearing in the opinion page. (I could have said “Tis the Damn Season” but that’s a Taylor Swift song.)

There was a black and white day when television commercials provided little in the way of medical advice. We had a doctor. A mother. Grandma. We didn’t need help from our Zenith.

Today is St Patrick’s Day. If you have Irish heritage, hope it was a great day for you.

My letter: “We’re at the mercy of pharmaceutical giants,” published in both The Hawk Eye and ‘Fort Madison Daily Democrat, mid-summer of 2023, discussed the hurdles my wife endured trying to p…

The year was 1984. People were wondering if George Orwell's predictions for the year would come true; in basketball, socks were up to the knees and shorts were nowhere near them; and Mt. Pleas…

“The Biden Brand” has been portrayed as a caring family with a desire to serve the country. In fact, the “Biden Brand” has been a source of income exceeding twenty million dollars from domesti…

We have many coffee cups. They’re all capable of holding liquids. All have a handle with a hole for digits, and they are various sizes and colors. Some have words on them: “World’s Best Grandp…

Daylight savings time– love it or hate it! We set our clocks ahead last night so got an hour less sleep before we got up for church. However, it was nice to have an extra hour of light tonight…

Like master, like dog. I have lipomas all over my body. Especially on my forearms. They’re embarrassing. I think I have them on my forearms because of all the knocks and bruises I took playing…

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Hancock County Journal-Pilot or its staff.

Recently, the Journal-Pilot faithfully reported on the minutes of the Hancock County Board meeting held Feb. 20. In addition to its routine business, this august group of local politicians dec…

There is a drive-thru restaurant on nearly every block in town, and their calories are turning me into a Weeble. I think I’m addicted to ordering most anything I’m craving from speakers attach…

Tonight, there was a magnificent sunset. I was driving when the “sweet time” hit, so I just pulled over and parked. It is amazing what a few minutes of just stopping and taking advantage of Go…

Maple Hill, the home I grew up in, is featured in the Interstate 80 rest area in Jasper County, Iowa! I couldn’t believe it. I stopped at the rest area before I reached Newton, Iowa. I was goi…

Our country is having a senior moment. We’re all focused on age and how it affects our ability to function as a productive member of society. Particularly, the emphasis is falling to whether o…

The Western Illinois Museum held an open house today, Sunday. I attended for several reasons. First the building that now houses the museum was the first location of Gentry-Bryant Ford when th…

“Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically.” D.H. Lawrence

(Colleen Armstrong from Burlington, Iowa, was a student in my Creative Writing class. She wrote the following powerful story about her struggle with cancer.)

Mom called us into the kitchen on a dreary, boring winter day. My brothers and I emerged from our staked-out territories– after days inside, we wanted space– and slunk toward her voice.

With spring coming soon, there are several events coming to the area. There will be a fundraiser for medical bills for Donnie Switzer on March 16 at 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Plymouth.

Philip Bump, a national columnist with the Washington Post, recently wrote an article titled “Most Republicans aren’t aware of Trump’s various legal issues.” Using polling by CNN and YouGov, B…

A large number of residents in this area do business with Costco. The problem is that even though Costco is a very ethical company, it has chosen to partner with a very unethical (“dirty”) ban…

When I was young, everybody knew how to win a man’s heart. My mother, like everybody else’s mother, told me that men loved a good meal. So I always asked my date to take me to a fancy restaura…

This is the week we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Two years ago, I wrote a column on Love. I think that it is good to be reminded of Love more than once a year, but perhaps it is especially impor…

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There are 100 cookies with Shirley Madden’s picture on them in the freezer at Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield, Iowa, waiting for her extra-special birthday party on Valentine’s Day. Sh…

When I married my high school sweetheart in the early ‘70s, Mom gave me a book of easy recipes that were as familiar as her smile. While she was not a gourmet cook, Mom knew how to feed a big …

Every year about this time I receive a free newspaper in my rural mailbox, “The Epoch Times.” As I read through the articles nearly everything I see is about rehashing all the same old conspir…

The beeping of the vitals machine I was attached to was annoying. It started beeping when my pulse dropped below 40 beats per minute (normal is 60-100). I watched my pulse drop… 38… 32… 29. Pl…

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Hancock County Journal-Pilot or its staff.

It’s the perfect time to pay tribute to the humble sock. Can you imagine enduring the last few weeks without them?

Ron Hawn, from Ferguson, Iowa, near Marshalltown, wrote “The Watch” for my Creative Writing class. Ron is in his 80s. I couldn’t help but share it. It’s one of those God Wink stories.

To say that January has been a challenge would be a gross understatement. If memory serves correctly this all began about Jan. 10 when I cancelled a doctor’s appointment due to impending road …

I was at my chiropractor’s office, waiting in the private cubicle for a crack at my turn. After putting on the “Velcro in the back” gown, I glanced in the mirror on the wall to be sure my hair…

MAGA Republicans are positive they have found a leader who can offer… well… that’s the problem. What MAGA’s want and why have been the subject of many studies, surveys, and analyses.

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In the 2022 NFL draft, quarterback Brock Purdy, from Iowa State University, was selected the very last pick– No. 262– by the San Francisco 49ers. The last pick of the NFL draft over the years …

It’s happening more and more now. My husband and I have reached the unenviable age that is marked by almost daily obituary notices of famous people who were a vicarious part of our own life story.

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The winter storms are upon us. What’s the first thing people do when they know a winter storm is approaching? Run to the supermarket and get milk, bread and eggs. Why? I dunno. Are they going …

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After three years of unelected national leadership, from unseen White House insiders, the leadership delivered by President Biden is like “The Emperor’s New Clothes”:

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I’m really not afraid of many things, but below zero weather is one thing that I am afraid of. As a result, I try to keep pretty close tabs on the weather report when that is predicted. Saturd…

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I woke up this morning– many did not. I woke up in America– not Ukraine, Israel or Palestine. I woke up in a warm home– many do not have a home. I woke up with electricity, running water and e…

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Larry McMurtry might be my favorite author of all time. He wrote “Last Picture Show,” “Lonesome Dove” and a slew of other books, movie scripts and essays. So, when a new biography of him came …

“I’m going for a walk. Will you watch my phone?” John eyes his Samsung as if it’s a hand grenade whose pin is ready to dislodge.