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Ciao Corpsters

    Ken Holscher, associate professor and extension entomologist for Iowa State University, said he wasn’t precisely sure how much water is needed for a mosquito to complete its life cycle, but said if there is at least 1 inch of water present for 7-10 days, (or as long as it takes to complete their immature development) and sufficient organic material to serve as a larval food supply, that’s all that’s needed to produce a batch of mosquitoes.

   Holscher said mosquito larvae are considered to be "filter feeders" that use their mouthparts to filter and feed on bacteria and microscopic bits of algae, fungi, and other organic detritus in the water.  Cleaner water will typically produce fewer mosquito larvae.  However, the standing water that collects in outdoor areas during the summer will usually have enough organic material to produce at least some mosquitoes.

   The Culex species of mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis and other diseases that cause brain infection, like to breed in containers, such as mine, or old tires.

   It didn’t take long for me to pitch the half-buried treasures. I’ll keep a closer eye on my bird bath and fountain, as well, to make my yard less hospitable to these unwanted summer pests.

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2008

Ankeny Art Center

Contact: Brent E. Houzenga, assistant director

Phone: 515-965-0940 or 309-255-1209

Email: brent@ankenyartcenter.com

Ankeny Art Center Annual Photo Contest

Call For Entries

Entry Deadline: September 16, 2008

Exhibit October 18 to November 25, 2008

Opening reception October 18^, 2008 6 to 9 pm

Juried by Ryan O’mara OM PHOTOGRAPHY

The Ankeny Art Center will be hosting its annual photo contest this October. All entries are due by September 16. Entry fee is $25 for three pieces. If you wish to enter more than three there will a $5 charge for each additional piece submitted. All entries must be sent by email (to brent@ankenyartcenter.com) or by regular mail. DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. Digital entries must be in JPEG format. All materials sent will not be returned unless you include a self addressed stamped envelope. All accepted entries must be gallery ready when dropped off at the Ankeny Art Center (i.e. framed and wired). No matted or unmatted prints will be accepted. Ankeny Art Center reserves the right to exclude any work that they or the juror do not see fit. When submitting please include the title of the piece, dimensions, and price. The opening reception is set for October 18th, from 6-8. The exhibit will be on display until November 25.

Entries are open to all US residents over the age of 18.

Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place.

The Ankeny Art Center is located in a city park at SW Third and State Front Road. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am to 1 pm, Thursday 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm and Saturday 9 am to noon. The Center is closed Sunday and Monday. For more information about the Ankeny Art Center, please visit www.ankenyartcenter.com.

netted me this photo of a back-lit honey comb on display. In the larger version, you can see the clear through to the other side of the frame it has been bracketed in.

The other night I watched the movie King Corn and was mightily impressed. What begins as a rag tag, grassroots documentary ends up as a large and impacting statement about agriculture and eating in the United States. What I learned: 70 percent of antibiotics in the U.S. are used on cattle to keep them healthy long enough for slaughter. Why? Because the bulk of their subsistence, various incarnations of corn, is harmful to them and eventually will kill them if they eat it long enough. I learned a lot about Iowa. They grow a lot of corn, and most of it is not edible. One of the sharpest comments in the documentary is from Michael Pollan, who makes many appearances and serves as ballast for the film. The irony, he says, is that the Iowa farmer can't feed him or herself any more. Meaning they survive off govmn't subsidies and the crops they grow, mostly corn, is used for corn syrup (nasty stuff), cattle feed, and ethanol.

Something about the way the two bumbling, aww gosh me? characters go about the adventure is also enlightening. In many ways they take the approach to farming that Michael Moore takes in his films. What do you mean you don;t pay for healthcare? What do you mean we will lose money on our corn crop without the goverment, and our corn is an inedible variety? A naivete that is endearing to those who can reveal the scariest of things. Check out the movie, learn how the Western diet has completely changed since the 1970s (that's when the boundaries of farming evaporated in this country). Find out why we all have corn in our hair.

--Nick

I can summarize below, but you really shouldn't miss the graphics. Worth a thousand words. And it's really fun to play around in. A good activity for a Friday.

Just to review, climate change in general is projected to result in more extreme weather - increased precipitation alternating with longer periods of drought, higher levels of humidity, etc. If you'd like to review that major USDA study just out on the impact of climate change on agriculture, click here.

Major findings:

During the past 135 years, the annual temperature in Iowa has increased about two degrees.

The rate of increase in the past 35 years is double the pace of the past 126 years.

Over 135 years there has been a two inch increase in spring rains, and and 1.5 inch decrease in fall rains (increased spring rains can make it harder to get crops in).

Across the Midwest, the annual number of heavy, 24 hour rains has doubled during the past 100 years.

Between 1973 and 2006 in Des Moines, average humidity increased by 7 degrees, because of warmer overall weather.

The lowest temperature estimates for Iowa show that summer temperatures could increase by about 6 degrees.

--- Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org

Last night, I was going through some of the pictures and clippings that my grandma collected while she was alive. Somewhere, I have a whole mess of interesting articles about Lee when he was serving in the House and his early legal career. As per usual, when I am looking for something I can't find it. Anyhow, this is a photo of Lee's first wife, (Pearl) Ann Swindler Gaudineer. I'm not sure where this photo was taken or even the year. I'm guessing in Iowa and she is between 6 and 8. In all the early pictures I have of her, she looks like Shirley Temple. Perfect dress. Perfect ringlets.

Hey Inspire(d) Land!

I could start listing the reasons that it's worth the trek to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair August 7-17th... exhibit #1 below:

But really, beyond the Butter Cow, and the attempt at a new WORLD RECORD FOR THE MOST PEOPLE EATING CORN DOGS AT ONE TIME (really, click for the link...) The Iowa State Fair is a really amazing fair. Best of all, Inspire(d) Media would love to help you enjoy the Iowa State Fair by giving you free gate tickets to the Fair- that's right- you're reading this, and we'd love to give you a free pair of tickets to the fair-

email us with your favorite State Fair memory or why you want to go: benji@theinspiredmedia.com

We'll pick 5 lucky winners on July 30th who will receive a pair of tickets to the Iowa State Fair. (good for Gate Admission).

While your at it- check out the Iowa State Fair Website - this year's fair is chock full of awesome family entertainment, attractions, Concerts, and more!!!

Now get out there and enjoy your Inspire(d) summer!!!!

-Inspire(d)-

...an experiment in positive news....

Mr. Yepsen pointed out that, "Iowa has voted Democratic in four of the last five presidential elections. This year, Democratic registrations are growing faster than Republican ones, and Democrats are on track to overtake 'no party' registrations by Election Day." 

Mr. Yepsen is a seasoned political reporter.  He adroitly recognized Mr. Obama's momentum in the last weeks of Iowa caucus and correctly predicted Mr. Kerry's win in 2004.   His analysis with respect to the 2008 general election, however, is overly simplistic.  First, Mr. McCain is not George Bush and does not make anti-gay, anti-abortion positions the centerpiece of his platform.  Second, it is doubtful Iowa knows who Mr. Obama is or what he stands for.  As is becoming more apparent each day, it is unclear if Mr. Obama knows what he stands for.  Third, while Huckabee-evangelicals may not be enthusiastic about Mr. McCain, they most certainly are not in favor of the most liberal member of the Senate becoming President.  Lastly, it's mid-July and Iowa is historically slow to turn in terms of polls.

I may be wrong.  The way I see it, Iowa knows the primary election Obama - but it does not know general election Obama.  Iowa may not like the difference - especially when Mr. Obama explains to the country exactly how large his "residual force" is.  We shall see.

By Tammy R. Lawson

I was quite amused by some of the stories that made news last week-two in particular.

First, District Attorney Mary Lacy of Boulder, Colorado, sent a two-page letter to John Ramsey about his murdered daughter, JonBenet, stating, "...we do not consider your immediate family including you, your wife, Patsy, and your son, Burke, to be under any suspicion in the commission of this crime."

Was that not a noble gesture? It's been 12 years since JonBenet died, and Patsy expired two years ago due to ovarian cancer at the age of 49.

While attending junior high school and growing up in the same town as she, I viewed a photo in the newspaper of Miss Paugh being crowned supreme at the state's pageant competition; her daughter's face later clichéd that of the hometown girl an entire state was proud of, even if she did wear too much eyeliner.

That family could have been cleared years ago; DNA evidence was found on the girl that didn't match any family member. In a court of law, that would have been reasonable doubt any defense lawyer could have toyed with just for fun.

But since a court of law was never assembled, a court of public opinion (fueled by unscrupulous journalists reporting innuendo close to the case as factual truth) did so while the district attorney's office and police stood idly by. Public officials knew they mishandled the case from hour one and needed a scapegoat.

At least the office finally apologized, and some would quip they are the sorriest.

How treacherous it was to watch the family's demise, but at least the living can take solace in knowing Patsy Paugh Ramsey died with her character fully intact. There are those living in Boulder who can't even claim that.

Now, here's a piece of friendly advice:

If you are using a microphone in a public forum and do not have complete control of the on/off switch, beware, for you never know who is listening.

Having written that, Jesse Jackson should have known better. Not realizing his mic was on, the modern-day quote maker himself whispered vulgar things during a Fox News program about wanting to cut off parts of Barack Obama's manmade anatomy, and according to the media outlet, we have yet to hear the worst.

Maybe the reverend should rephrase his infamous quote accordingly: "Keep hope alive, and bring me a knife!"

In the same breath, he accused the fellow Chicagoan of "talking down to black folks" by giving moral lectures to African Americans. Oh, the irony.

Jackson could easily be paralleled for his remarks and this was a prime instance of practicing what he doth not preach. After all, Jackson ran for president twice during the Democratic presidential primary in 1984 and again in 1988, so instead of demeaning his fellow man, realizing that he may have helped pave the way for the first black American to possibly be the next leader of the United States might fair him better.

Jackson once said, "If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it." If so, the next time he hypocritically dines with the presidential candidate, secret service will be removing all sharp objects from the table as Obama sports a cup holding something other than coffee.

Marshall County Sun© Copyright 2008

Lee was a state legislator from 1965-1972, serving in the Iowa House from 1965-1967 before being elected to the Iowa Senate. He served as Minority Floor Leader for what was known as “the dirty dozen” during his final term before he retired in 1972 to resume his law practice full time. He partnered with Ray Austin to establish Austin and Gaudineer, which later merged with other local law firms to become Gaudineer, Comito and George.

Lee married Pearl Ann Swindler of Des Moines in 1961 and was widowed in 1981. He is survived by his second wife, Ellen Brune Gaudineer, whom he married in 1990; his four children, Kimber (Ken) Foshe of Johnston; Kevin (Karen) Gaudineer; Kathi (Tom) Slaughter; and Daran (Dionne) Gaudineer all of Des Moines; nine grandchildren, Kristin, Kyle and K.C. Foshe; Jarred and Alex Gaudineer; Perri and Harrison Woods; and Olivia and Tyler Gaudineer, several step-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, parents and a sister Lois Gabler.

Funeral Services will be 2:30 PM Saturday, July 19th at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home with a visitation from 6-8 PM Friday at the funeral home. A reception will follow the funeral service on Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa Senate Democratic Majority Fund or to Lincoln High School Debate Team. On line condolences can be sent to Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

**********

It's hard to be away from family, especially during times of grief and loss. Who am I kidding? It's just plain hard to be disconnected from family during any milestone, happy or sad. Not only am I shocked to learn of of Lee's passing, but that he was 76. I tend to think about people at a certain age. For example, I think of my Dad being 40. Forty is the age he was when he had a stroke and the family experienced some major changes. I guess we are all 25 years older and that's kind of hard to get my arms around sometimes. My thoughts are once again in Des Moines.

Minnesota

Where/when we’ll play them: Minneapolis, 10/04/2008

Last year’s record: 1-11

Last season result: 40-20, Indiana

Notable players: QB Adam Weber (2,895 yards passing and 24 touchdowns, 617 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns), WR Eric Decker (909 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns), LB Deon Hightower (70 total tackles).

Outlook: Last season the Golden Gophers suffered through an absolutely horrendous season,... [Read More]

5:10pm Update: New thundershowers are developing along the Iowa/Minnesota border...these are not expected to become severe.

3:45pm Update: Just light rain remains in southeast Minnesota, and the severe thunderstorm watch has been cancelled early for all of southeast Minnesota.  There is a chance for rain developing again late this evening and overnight, and while severe weather is not expected with these storms, locally heavy rain and the resulting flooding potential is a concern.

2:50pm Update: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings continue for Cerro Gordo, Floyd, and Wright counties.  Hail to the size of pennies has been reported and a strong core with large hail is moving toward Charles City, Iowa.

2:20pm Update: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Cerro Gordo county in Iowa, including Mason City, until 3pm.  Penny size hail has been reported a half mile southwest of Mason City and the storm is moving east at 25mph.  It is looking like rain will wrap-up by 5pm throughout much of southeast Minnesota, but the line in north Iowa will only slowly progress into this evening...increasing the threat of localized flooding.

1:15pm Update: Strong to severe storms are affecting Emmet and Kossuth counties in north Iowa, and the severe t-storm warnings will expire at 1:30pm for those counties.  The threat from these storms (as will be the threat for the rest of today) is strong wind and hail to the size of nickels.  So far, actual severe reports have been very limited.

Heavy rain and potential flash flooding will be the greatest concern for the rest of today and tonight.

A number like this not be a problem but for the fact that Obama opted out of the public financing system with a smug look on his face that suggested a gusher of cash in the offing. With him formally capturing the nomination in June, that doesn't seem to be happening. In fact, Obama's opting out is starting to look at best premature and at worst a complete strategic blunder.

Obama's campaign is denying the rumor, but as Sean has noted, if it were really impressive, they wouldn't be holding it back [...]

Only the Obama campaign was holding it back. David Plouffe just emailed supporters as reported by Sam Graham-Felson on the my.barackobama.com community blogs in a blog burst titled Message from David Plouffe, June Numbers:

[...] We have some big news we want to share with you.

Because of your generosity and commitment, we're reporting to the press today that this campaign is in a very strong financial position.

In the month of June, supporters like you helped raise $52 million.

But more impressive than the number is how you did it. Hundreds of thousands of ordinary people contributed to building our campaign for change. Many were first-time donors, giving only what they could afford -- and the average donation was just $68.

You continue to prove what ordinary Americans committed to change can accomplish, despite the Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs funding so much of our opponents' campaign.

But we can't stop now [...]

[...] But what does it all mean? [...] asks Romney toady Dean "baby you can drive my car" Barnett in a www.weeklystandard.com The Blog blog burst titled Obama's $52 Million

Barnett explains:

First, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way. Because DNC Chair Howard Dean couldn’t competently arrange a one car funeral, the DNC won’t be able to give its presidential candidate any significant financial help. The RNC, however, can provide John McCain a major helping hand. For comparison purposes, both campaigns have lumped their respective national party’s assistance into their cash on hand assessments. Even though he outraised McCain by 250% in June, Obama has only $72 million available while McCain has $95. Given the profligate way the Obama campaign operates, it naturally has a much higher burn rate so McCain’s real advantage is even larger.

Now, forget everything you just read because it doesn’t matter. Regardless of how much each campaign raises and spends, the amount they get in free media (positive and negative) will dwarf their own expenditures. Think of it this way – how much would it cost for the Obama campaign to place itself on each network newscast for five minutes every night next week? I ask rhetorically, but I figure it would be a lot. And yet the Obama campaign will be able to do precisely that because all of the network anchors are personally following his Surrender Tour to Iraq.

And then there’s this: When a modern campaign has spent money and actually moved the ball, the amount of the expenditure hardly mattered. Having something worth saying that actually stuck in the electorate’s mind is what counted. Think back to 2004. The ad with the biggest impact came from the Swiftboat Veterans, not either of the campaigns. If memory serves, that was a $75,000 buy. The next biggest ad was probably the Bush campaign’s Kerry windsurfing spot. Both ads only had impact because they said something important, important enough that the free media amplified them in a dramatic way.

And don’t talk to me about ground game. As George Soros proved in 2004, effective ground games can’t be bought. They have to be the product of general enthusiasm for the candidate. Mike Huckabee’s ground game in Iowa was a game-changer, and it wasn’t because of money [...]

N.

With announcements regarding new lower ticket prices, a new president and a new NHL affiliate -- the Anaheim Ducks -- all occurring within weeks of each other this summer, representatives of Iowa’s AHL hockey team decided the time was right to unveil the team’s new name, logo and colors.

“We really feel this name perfectly represents our vision of the new team,” says Chops owner Kirby Schlegel, CEO of Schlegel Sports. “It illustrates Iowa’s agricultural heritage while also playing into the definition of ‘chops’, having nerve, resilience and staying power. The word ‘chops’ can mean continually defeating someone, and that is the reputation we expect Iowa’s new team to gain in the league.”

After numerous conversations with Iowans to get a feel for the culture and the passion within the state, the Iowa Chops name was ultimately chosen by Schlegel Sports, as it represented the great state of Iowa.

“We wanted a name that would catch people’s attention and spark discussion, not just in Iowa but nationally as well,” says Steve Nitzel, Iowa Chops president. “There is no doubt the name is unique. We’re confident that the team will continue to gain respect in this community and in the league for years to come.”

The new logo depicts a vicious boar’s head in the team colors of crimson, grey and black, and was designed to depict the tougher style of hockey coming to Iowa.Showcasing the team’s proud Iowa roots, the secondary logo (located on the shoulders of players’ jerseys) is an outline of the state of Iowa with a giant letter “I” in the center.

Schlegel Sports and the Anaheim Ducks plan to announce who will coach the Iowa Chops later this summer. The team's home opening game is scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2008. To buy tickets for this season, call 515-564-8700 or visit the new Web site at www.iowachops.com for more information.

Anaheim, Iowa team up to help flood victims
Iowa, Anaheim announce affiliation agreement
Rams owner: No plans for team to leave St. Louis
After 2 decades, All-Star Game back in Anaheim

Rep. Steve King R-Iowa is obviously realizing its an election year.  He knows c-span is going to be covering the house of representatives, so he uses the opportunity to attack Obama.

Rep. King attacks Obama for not going to Iraq and writing the Op-ed in the New York Times on Iraq before he goes there.  King is actually reading from the op-ed taking pieces of what Obama says and then attacks every little quote Obama said in the op-ed and attacks it.  This guy obviously has no life, there is no way our tax dollars should be spent on this kind of crap.  Rep. King is upset because Obama said that he would pull troops out of Iraq.  He failed to mention that Obama wants to move troops into Afghanistan to actually fight terrorist.  He also keeps mentioning Obama's inexperience not realizing that the Bush administration is using policies Obama purposed, such as talking with leaders of other rogue nations.  Rep. King seems to have a jealousy problem.  He keeps mentioning that Obama is a junior senator and actually said the number of days Obama has served in congress, Im not sure if that number was correct.  He also accused Obama of not wanting to fund the troops, he fails to mention that Obama has voted for every bill that FUNDS THE TROOPS.  Kings obvious calculated attack on the floor of the House of Representative is ridiculous.  It would be one thing if King was ranting on about something that he going to vote on later but hes not.

He then goes on to urge Obama's supporters to change Obama's position on the war.  He then says that McCain is more admirable and basically that because of McCains military service, McCain would be more well suited to be president.  This guy is a joke.  He has been after Obama ever since Obama stepped foot in Iowa and I hope he doesn't get re-elected.

His rant is still going on and its been 30 minutes now and he is still talking.  I hope the people in Iowa that voted for him are happy.

As I pondered these questions, I look back and analyze what people around me have done and how they have approached them in their own life. To my surprise, many believe that we could not be good to other people if we do not have a good relationship with God. I am surprised by this observation because it seems to me that it is impossible to be “ok” with the one “up there,” and know that other people are hurting because of what we do or have done.

I understand that God should always be first. He is our creator and we live because of Him, but how could you pray to Him and ask for peace when people around you are hurting because of YOU? It seems to be a bit selfish to think that you come first to God. Don’t you?

Maybe you do, and I respect that opinion, but I do not fully share it. I do agree that a good relationship with God will lead you into a more fulfilling life: True. However, God loves us all and wants us to treat and love each other they way he loves us. John 15:12 reads: ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’ Jesus wants us to love each other; this is what he wants from us. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 gives us a perfect explanation of what love truly is:

‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’

He wants us to love one another, forgive one another, not to be angry with one another, he wants us to love him through the understanding and love with other people.

This is why I believe that in order to have a good relationship with God, I need to have a great relationship with others, that way I can truly speak with God and tell him that I am a true follower of his word. Again, it is not about me, it is about what God wants us to do. It’s about our mission: to follow, and especially to apply his word.

Saturday rolled in along with some thunderous, rainy skies. This was not going to damper our day whatsoever. Plus, Jerry (Mr. Awesome Dude who fences his farm for the fest each year) said it would clear up around 1:30 … come 1:45 the skies were bright and clear. Thanks, Jerry. And for me, after about four bloody Marys, my mind was anything but clear. Needless to say, I was ready for some more tunes and dancing. Now I saw some notable bands who tickled my fancy throughout the day, like The Grosso Family Band (are they really a family? If so, that’s adorable… and they have a kickass mama on the upright bass), Dead Larry and Cornmeal. But I am sorry, can I just go right for it? My favorite part of the weekend? The band that made my jaw drop. Can I? One word: HUNAB. Damn boys, you’re doing something I’ve never seen before. The music, the energy, the solos; beautiful. These guys don’t want to claim a genre … well simply because they can’t. That would be like rainbow ice cream having to claim one flavor. It's impossible because it's an explosion of flavor in your mouth, in Hunab's case, your ears. It’s almost as if they take their hunger and passion for music and somehow spread it throughout the crowd via jaw-dropping noise. I want to give a special shout out to, I think his name is, Collin, for being the most energetic and crowd-pleasing musician I’ve ever seen. His intensity makes it all the more exhilarating, and he shows awesome encouragement to his band mates throughout the entire set which has to pump them up during solos. Plus, I give preferential treatment to anyone who puts on a gorilla mask during a show.

I’ll stop being biased toward my favorite band now.

High fives to Euforquestra for playing again Saturday night, I mean they get this whole weekend hooked up and they play damn good music. Unfortunately for us, after this set, it came time for burgers and dogs, which inevitably meant beddy-by. But something strange happened as I lay in my tent. A DJ by the name of Matt Rissi approached the stage. The next thing that happened to me was pure, uncontrolled, curious fear. My entire body was vibrating to the core of my chest, but it was insanely awesome and I loved it. It was a kind of mysteriously minor techno sound that had me intrigued and unable to sleep for a while. Definitely not a lullaby, but positively intense. I think I would have to hear him live again, though, because that kind of inner-body feeling of music can’t come from a stereo.
Needless to say, this weekend was my first attendance to a “festie” and my best weekend of summer; thanks, Nick, for inviting us. I met some really cool kids; Anthony, Jack, Bill, and Allen!! And spent some quality music time with my good friends, Colleen, Nick and of course, Steve, my love.
I will be attending Camp Euforia next summer and I really hope to see all these bands and more. And if you enjoy friendly vibes, dancey tunes, sunshine and amazing people, I suggest you meet me there.

     Chicago was a blur, but the city I looked forward to driving through was Des Moines, Iowa. I was not too impressed. If there is such a thing as a "typical Midwestern city", Des Moines was exactly it.

     I stopped at a gas station there to get some caffeine in me. I must have been in the shady side of town off I-80. It was kind of run down and I remember construction on the freeway. The gas station was dirty as was the woman behind the counter. This is not how I imagined Des Moines, but now that I was there, I can say I was there.

     Des Moines also marked the half way part of Iowa. That seemed like a long state to drive through. Again, it is in the middle of the plains and there was a whole lot of nothing to see once I got away from the city lights.

     I flew through that state and when I got to the end of it, Nebraska was next. With it, Omaha, which is right on the state line. When I got to the line I was to call the girl I was driving to see. From there, she was to guide me in to her house.

     Omaha was a city right on the Missouri River, which bordered Iowa and Nebraska. I felt weird for being, what I felt, right in the heart of the country. I was in the middle of the United States. The time changed too, as I learned a few hours earlier, thanks to the radio.

     As I was talking to her on my cell, I had started to think about not meeting her. I started to feel like I should not do this.

     But I was extremely tired and I had driven this far. I started to talk myself into just going over there and meet her real quick, then leave and get a hotel room.

     A few minutes after crossing into Nebraska and being on the phone, I was in front of her house. It was an older, big, two story house. The neighborhood seemed nice from what I could tell by the glow from the street lights.

     I got out of my truck and walked to the door. I was nervous. I started to think about what if she didn't look like anything in the picture I had seen? What if this was some kind of cruel joke? Am I gonna get killed here?

     I approached the dark, unlit house. I rang the doorbell with the feeling that my heart would beat right through my chest. As I stood there for a minute, I didn't hear anything. So I rang the bell again.

     This time I heard the sound of someone running to the door. The lock unlocked and then the door quickly opened. It was still dark and unlit.

    As the door opened, I could make out the figure of a woman's body, but I could not see her face or anything inside the house. Grabbing my hand, she told me to hurry up and come inside.