Baker's heartbeat

Friends and family members in 2018 attended an excellent basketball tournament in Des Moines; four colleges participated: Iowa, Iowa State, the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University.        It was the morning of Valentine's Day and my husband Steve, and I, started to walk in Scott County Park, located just two miles from our home in rural Scott County, Iowa.     We had begun a two-mile loop when a woman in a car stopped us: She leaned out the driver's side window and handed us two bags of Valentine candies.     Startled, we stared at her as we did not know her. But she smiled and said, "I like that you are out here, walking!"     We did accept the candies and are eating them to this day!     That pleasant incident points to the importance of have a "community" in life. Communities are generally defined as a group of persons who share a common interest. Growing up, this is evident in school when one has dozens of classmates, all trying to succeed.

       That's me and daughter Kirstin, after a typical work day after the hurricane. She worked on a different project in New Orleans from the one I was on.      Most people probably remember the most deadly hurricane in our nation's history: It was August, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the United States.     We were among the families horrified and sickened by the tragic situation faced by the brave people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other regions.     Katrina was the costliest and most deadly hurricane in U.S. history. According to Encyclopedia Britannica , it started as tropical storm but worsened quickly. Some 1,800 people died, many in New Orleans. The damages were estimated to exceed $160 billion.     Visitors today who walk along the Gulf Coast region can't help but notice the historical markers erected in the 19 years since the storm. I've included two of them as examples.     It doesn't take much time to appre

  That's me, after a recent appointment at the salon in Eldridge, Iowa Oh, give me a head with hair Long, beautiful hair Shining, gleaming, streaming Flaxen, waxen Now won't you gimme it down to there? (hair) Shoulder length or longer (hair) Here, baby, there, mama Everywhere, daddy, daddy Hair (hair, hair, hair, hair, hair) Grow it, show it Long as I can grow it My hair ... Songwriters: Gerome Ragni / James Rado / Galt Mac Dermot                   I scoop up my own hair every single day. I do appreciate this thick, brown and healthy hair, but my goodness, what a mess it makes!     I bought a special broom that grabs hair, and all sorts of devices to clean up said hair. I buy Swiffer sheets on a regular basis and use them.     I don't mean to sound negative. It's a blessing to have a head of hair, but also a responsibility.       No one wants to have hair in their food, for example!     I'm a bit vain so at 66 years old, I obviously have some grey hair. But I cover

  Fontainebleau  Nature Trail      Few people would define we Bakers as eager hikers. We have hiked, of course, but mostly we concentrate on walking, running and the like.     That's until Steve and I discovered the Fontaine bleau Nature Trail near Ocean Springs, Mississippi.      We recently spent almost three weeks on the Gulf Coast. I did some online sleuthing and found what was described as an "easy" hiking trail, located not far from our hotel.     It was tricky to locate at first. The trail sign is relatively small and the first time we tried, there was a car accident. Police would not let us drive on Hanshaw Road, where the trail head is located.          But we eventually figured out the entrance. It is a very nice trail, and I'm using it as a topic because many folks travel south for warmer weather, and some visitors might be interested in a nice, pleasant and easy hike.     According to alltrails.com , the  Fontainebleau  Nature Trail is a 1.5 mile loop. It

  Alina and Thea Rodewald, now 14 months old.      No one would describe me as particularly maternal. I lost my mother at an impressionable age and was raised by my father. I never considered myself much good at babysitting.    That's until grandkids arrived and I had time on my hands.     Today, I find a lot of joy in being around and playing with the three  young girls, youngest of the nine wonderful grandkids we have.     I call the youngest Rodewald daughters -- who recently celebrated their first birthday -- the "Gerber babies" and they are a busy duo. These days they are taken with magnetic toys and I find I enjoy playing with them, a lot!     This approach is not a bad idea if you have a baby in your life.     According to firstthingsfirst.org , love is the most important thing grandparents can offer. That's not too surprising.  Babies and toddlers need unconditional love, regular support and interaction from grandparents (and parents) in order for healthy brai

       The Jewish Federation hosted a History Walk on Aug. 20  at Hebrew Cemetery, Rock Island.      The hot sun baked the Hebrew Cemetery in Rock Island on Sunday (Aug. 20), but that failed to deter some 150 folks who took part in a most interesting event.     Organizers from Congregation Beth Israel of the Tri-City Jewish Center said they were concerned about the toasty weather during the Living Jewish History Epitaph Walk at the Hebrew Cemetery.       Dozens and dozens of bottled water was iced in coolers, and placed around the grounds.  The Walk included several stops at tented areas, so attendees were able stand in the shade.     Fascinating materials included a description of how the Hebrew Cemetery started; it took about two years for all parties to agree to allow the Cemetery  Association to develop eight acres of land in South Rock Island Township. Approval was finally granted and the land was suitably developed in March, 1920. The first burial was in January, 1921, but the ro