Baker's heartbeat

       That's me, center, biting my finger nails and greeting my friend, Jean Pelzer, while her sister, Diane, is at left. Diane Pelzer was president of the GRA at Tipton High School in 1974. An explanation of GRA activities from the 1974 Tipton High School yearbook.      About a week ago, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association sanctioned girls' wrestling for the first time in state history.     It was approved because 58 high schools have committed to sponsoring the programs. There are 1,018 girls  participating in grappling programs from more than 185 high schools. This is the 11th girls' sport sanctioned in the state, and the first since bowling was okayed 15 years ago. (Source: ighsau.org)     Before those 11  sports became sanctioned, there was the Girls' Recreation Association, or GRA.     I attended school in Tipton, Iowa, from 1969 to 1976. In that time period our district started several girls' sports, including basketball, track, cross country, so

The photo at top shows the patio before it was shoveled on Jan. 2; the shoveled version is above. It was a good cardio workout!      A week ago I wrote about derechos, and how we Iowans had become experts in dealing with this. What would 2022 bring?     It didn't take long to find out. We in Eastern Iowa endured a bunch of new snow, wind and the like. Winter clearly has arrived.     About snow: I happen to like snow. What is a burden to many does have an "up" side, so to speak.       To wit:     1. It's pretty. A lot of snow will cover the countryside in a sparkly, white blanket.     2. Birds are easier to spot. You will understand this if you feed wild birds. Those cardinals, Blue Jays, juncos (a personal favorite) and finches have colorful feathers that contrast nicely with winter white.     3. It provides a good work-out. Shoveling snow is good aerobic exercise for healthy individuals.      4. Snow was fun to play in, back in the day. Those of us originally from Mi