Baker's heartbeat

      The Baker gang (masks in pockets) at the pumpkin patch outside of Des Moines Baby Myla, all tuckered out after the farm visit       October brought us to the end of two high school sports seasons: Grandson Collin ended in cross country while grandson Brady finished the year in football. We attended most of these sporting events as the weather was mild. We also caught a show, finally, at Circa '21 Playhouse, Rock Island.           Finally, most  of the entire family gathered at, of all places, a pumpkin patch on a farm outside Des Moines, Iowa.     In all we stayed at home except for one night of the month.     Grandson Collin runs cross country for Davenport Assumption High School and he had three local meets in October. We went, wearing masks, to outdoor venues in Davenport, DeWitt and Bettendorf.       A clear announcement was made before the conference meet at Crow Creek Park in Bettendorf: "All those present are expected to wear masks!" I had mine on but some ot

A sign in the door of the US Bank branch in Eldridge.      Customers of US Bank were notified recently that the bank will close its branch office in Eldridge, Iowa. This is our branch, and I, for one, am none too happy about the decision.      Really? Eldridge? The largest small town in Scott County, Iowa? Some 6,846 residents live in Eldridge,  the U.S. Census reported in July 2019.      According to an Oct. 14, 2020 story in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, US Bank will close 400 more locations by early 2021 after shuttering 300 in 2020. That's a lot by any standard.      The Star-Tribune reports bank customers make most transactions online, via US Bank's website or app. This online activity accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.       US Bank is the fifth-largest bank in the United States. The newspaper points out the expected savings of $150 million will be plowed back into the company. No estimate of job losses was given as employees are being offered various opportunities

Here we are at an Iowa game, with daughter Kirstin and son-in-law, Gage.  Steve and I at an Iowa State game in 2019. We attended Iowa games for about 25 years, but also went to Ames at least once each season. The Big 10 needs to readjust its attendance rules this year, I write This is the first season in more than 25 years that the Baker family has not attended University of Iowa home football games. Husband Steve decided to drop our season tickets before COVID-19 hit the United States, but going to the games was a way to stay connected with many friends who live in Eastern Iowa. We stopped because there were numerous new rules to follow, parking was a constant issue and the games are on television. I was the only huge Iowa State fan in the Hawkeye bunch, but that was acceptable to most of my good friends. They know I went to college in Ames and attended Iowa State games with my dad, Emery Cox.  Since Matt Campbell was hired in Ames and local, neighbor kids joined the Cyclones grid pro