Roots are interesting things. It's understood that most growing things need roots to survive but most of the time they are out of sight and we pay little attention to them. They do on occasion make their presence known. I have roots reamed out of our house's aging sewer pipes every once in a while. Hard to imagine they find anything attractive in there, but what do I know? In a less stinky sense, I find myself drawn back to N.W. Iowa. It's often years in between visits but the urging is there and I can't exactly put my finger on why. Granted, there is Pizza Ranch and Casey's Bakery, numerous eateries, corn, ethanol and wonderful, fun folks to visit...and Doon! But it goes deeper; maybe it's a sense of purpose or place. I'm sure I look like a doofus doing this but I love to stand in and look over a field, hearing the wind and the bugs [must be a city guy]. I remember again where my family came from and even though now greatly dispersed and regardless of whatever else life throws at us, the strength of family history and stories and people give great comfort. That's something we should remember and celebrate!
So I guess you could say this is an attempt at re-connecting. To what degree that happens is to be seen. We know how life is these days, what with megabytes and talking cars and smellular phones and all. But, every journey begins with the first step. So here we go.
The title of this blog comes from something we learned during our recent visit to Rock Valley. Iowa people are hip to it, I think. I'll explain the significance in a later post, but it's all good!!
Blessings, peeps. Be well.
Dave H.
4 comments:
Great Pictures Dave
I enjoy the stories I hear when I go back. Everytime we drive the road from Sioux Center to Rock Valley, or to Inwood, and to Edgerton, Dad will point out where he lived and who he was friends with. I love listening to the stories of memory lane and wonder if my kids will have those same kind of memories.
Wow, this is awsome bro. This is the first blog i have been a part of, and i have a facebook (page?) too. I can feel the cornleaves scraping my skin.
jay h.
This is Awesome! I miss my Dad every day that goes by & now my mother is dying. So sad to lose our loved ones but great to still be a part of the past.
Thank you.
Joan
Roots in the Heartland
Kudos Dave for your efforts to renew contact between the cousins. I too enjoy Dad's stories about growing up in Northwest Iowa everytime we drive down Highway 75. I hope that our kids feel the pull to come home and strengthen their roots occasionally.
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