A Couple Items of Note...

1. Michael J. Fox is on the cover of the Jan/Feb '06 issue of the AARP Magazine. Whoa!

I had a brief conversation with Mike's bro-in-law, Michael, over the weekend about an episode of Family Ties when Mallory takes speed so she can keep up with her class load. Anyway, it's hard to believe that Alex P. Keaton from Family Ties, whose brotherly concern for his on-screen sister helped drive her down from her not-so-educational high, is old enough to be featured on the cover of a magazine marketed to retired people.

2. I was listening to AM radio this morning - entertainment news to be specific. The question posed was, "Will 'King Kong' save Hollywood?" Save Hollywood? Are you kidding me? Now, I understand that there are film crew members who don't make truck-loads of money, but what I heard when that question was asked is, "Please help those who are currently living in $20mil. dollar estates so they can continue leading extravagant lifestyles!!!"

Maybe it's time to lavish farmers and educators with the praise and adoration we've given to those who may be indirectly responsible for the collective loss of imagination in many a boy and girl.

Note: I'll probably see "King Kong" anyway...

3.) I live in Iowa and it gets pretty cold here during the winter. It was exactly 19 degrees below zero last Wednesday and it's something we learn to live with... as Iowans.

Today the eastern portion of the state was under a snow advisory. We got about six inches of snow - the wet stuff. This is the stuff that's great for making snowmen and snow forts, but it's incredibly heavy. The reason this snow is so good it because it's wet. It's wet because the air is "warm" - hovering around 32 degrees (we got a little rain today, too).

Iowans are known for reveling in the "warm" spells that occur directly after cold spells by shedding their heavy winter coats, scarves, hats, etc. I saw no less that seven men (including my dad) shoveling the heavy packing snow in T-shirts! That's Iowa for you.