FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: A Weird Week.

by Dave Markwell This was a weird week. At least I think it was. I’m not sure that I am qualified to determine what’s weird anymore. But, the week seemed weirder than my normal weird weeks. On Sunday... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: An Ordinary Sunday Morning.

by Dave Markwell On an ordinary Sunday morning with a late spring sun peeking through the high clouds, my buddy Dave and his wife and young son were driving through the sweet sage and early corn-sprouted... [Read more]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lament for a Grocery Store

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Waterland Blog nor its staff:] Moving to Des Moines many years ago was a... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Sunset.

by Dave Markwell The day began with a nice sunrise. It remained good day throughout, minus some expectedly unexpected violations. Overall, it was a good day. This may not seem remarkable, but in its lack... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: The Cold Swim.

by Dave Markwell The other night I drove my truck down to the marina in my hometown. As the bright orange sun lit the water, then fell behind the mountains, I cracked a twenty-four ounce “lemonade”... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Good Wins.

[In light of the circumstances in Boston, I felt that this repeat column was an appropriate reflection of my feelings on this sad day. Although the circumstances are different, unfortunate parallels can... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Fourteen.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to some technical difficulties (yeah...right), last week's Feel Good Friday is being posted on a Monday:] by Dave Markwell On April 3rd, 2013, my son, Aden turned fourteen years old.... [Read more]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘Welcome Prima Margherita! Alora Mangiamo!’

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Waterland Blog nor its staff:] Dear Editor: Was it only yesterday that we... [Read more]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘Let’s Save Corky Cellars!’

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written by a Reader:] Let’s save Corky Cellars! Ric and Dianne have made the decision to retire. Corky Cellars has been a wonderful small... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: A Perfect Ten.

by Dave Markwell Ten years ago, my wife and I were married. Ten years is both a long and a short time. Some days, it feels like a blink and some days it feels like geologic time would better suit its measure.... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Dog Dish

by Dave Markwell “Why didn’t you clean out Diego’s bowl before you fed him?” my wife accusingly inquired. “What???” I responded with my usual mix of confusion and outrage. The reason I say... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Fish Farts

by Dave Markwell “I have seen the fish fart underwater before…and watched the bubbles rise…” I have no idea what this means. My dad uttered this phrase countless times as I was growing up and I... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Valentine’s Day!

by Dave Markwell I don’t like Valentine’s Day too much. Historically, a lot of pressure has been put on me by myself (and maybe some others) to perform inspiring romantic gestures on command, the “command”... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: TMI…

by Dave Markwell While browsing the various mostly meaningless post updates on my Facebook “news” feed the other day, I raised my eyebrows a few times. It seems that as folks become more comfortable... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Ceiling Fans

by Dave Markwell I spoke with a buddy tonight who needs to remember this night. Once in a while, we all need to remember the great moments. They soften the hardness of life’s challenges. They remind... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Lives.

by Dave Markwell While taking an unexpected side trip up to Capitol Hill in Seattle the other night, I recognized many old landmarks that I hadn’t seen in several years. As a little kid, my earliest... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: No Man’s Land.

by Dave Markwell Firmly nestled in the no man’s land between the Christmas and New Year holidays, I ponder the year past and the year ahead. While polishing off the last of the Christmas cookies and... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Shoulders

by Dave Markwell I have flown on a plane many times throughout my life. During the countless hours I have spent shoe-horned in a too-small seat, I had never actually witnessed the airline-provided barf... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Voices

by Dave Markwell While watching the T.V. singing show, The Voice, the other night I was struck by how much I enjoyed listening to people sing songs that I knew. I liked that each version of these songs... [Read more]

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY: Sinners

by Dave Markwell I just finished reading Keith Richard’s autobiography, “Life”. I love reading these books. Sex, drugs and rock and roll are always interesting. While I always look forward to the... [Read more]