Baker's heartbeat

       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 exam...

  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!   ...

  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...

  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 an...

       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...

       That's Kirstin Baker (yellow top), age 8, at the Junior Bix in 1998      It was the summer of 1998, and our active 8-year-old daughter, Kirstin, enjoyed running around our Scott County neighborhood.     It made sense for husband Steve and I, both employed at the Quad-City Times, to register Kirstin for the first "Junior  Bix"  event planned for the Friday night before the famous 7-mile race.     Kirstin had taken part in a children's race before and it seemed a no-brainer. We got everyone loaded into the car on Friday, July 24, and headed for the Times.       We had no idea what to expect.     That first event has been termed "organized chaos" in the 25 years since it was held.      Those who planned the Quad-City Times Bix 7 thought a special race for children was a great idea. They expected some 1,500 entries, but an additional 5,000 children, parents, grandparents, fri...

  Grandchildren include: Collin, Nathan, Mick, Brady, Bryant, with Hailey and Myla in front row     Welcome to Baker Land, where the grass is green, the flowers are blooming and the grandchildren are above average.     Earlier this month, many years of watching grandkids in local high school sports came to an end. Brady Hansen, a recent graduate of Davenport West High School, was a pitcher and starting catcher on the Falcons team.     To begin at the beginning: The eldest grandson, Bryant Campbell, was the first one to follow. He and his cousin, Mick Baker, were on a 2013 Davenport Assumption baseball team that made the state tournament but lost in a heart-breaking fashion.      Mick was on the 2014 Assumption team that did win the state tournament. That included a substate game against Central DeWitt, versus T.J. Sikkema, who now is a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals organization. Mick held his own against Sikkema in that game, in mos...