Malala 1

 "Instead of focusing on eradicating terrorism through war, we should focus on eradicating it through education"

Malala

devastation in Jamaica

 

There is no exempt area from Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica; The hurricane made a direct hit as a Category 5 storm, causing widespread damage, including widespread destruction, power outages for hundreds of thousands, and significant damage to hospitals and infrastructure. 

Food Prize

The 2025 World Food Prize was awarded in Des Moines to Brazilian microbiologist Dr. Mariangela Hungria for her work in developing biological seed and soil treatments that improve crop nutrition and yields. Her research has significantly helped make Brazil a global breadbasket. Attendees at the October 2025 World Food Prize forum included Dr. Mariangela Hungria, the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate, along with government officials such as the President of Ghana and the Vice President of Ghana, the Minister for Food and Agriculture of Ghana, and the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the U.S.. Leaders from over 75 countries, researchers, innovators, and agribusiness leaders also participated in the various events. Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is now chief executive of the The World Food Prize Foundation He served as the 30th and 32nd United States Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017, during the Obama administration, and again from 2021 to 2025 during the Biden administration.

Hurricane

We pray for the people of Jamaica as the Hurricane approaches. Forty inches of rain are predicted in some areas. We love the people of Jamaica. We were there twice, once for a Diakonia Conference, and once to teach at the United Theological College of the West Indies Kingston. We also pray for other people in the Hurricane's path. 

Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays scored 9 runs in the bottom of the sixth to go on to win the first game of the World Series. 11-4. Very cool! We cheer the Blue Jays and Canada!

Voted

 My husband and I just voted. By going to the Court House for early voting, no lines.  The person at the security gate was thorough and kind!  Both are important! (My mother was deputy county recorder here before women were able to vote!)

White House

 The White House is the people's house. It does not belong to Donald Trump.  Demolition of the East Wing is a slap in the face the people of the United States. The East Wing of the White House is where the first lady's office and staff are located.

 The ballroom, which will be used for events that on occasion will include heads of state, is intended to hold 999 people, up from an initial estimate of 650. Mr. Trump said it will have bulletproof glass windows on all sides. 

 The addition was originally planned to be 90,000 square feet, but that figure is likely to increase. The ballroom, which will be used for events that on occasion will include heads of state, is intended to hold 999 people, up from an initial estimate of 650. Mr. Trump said it will have bulletproof glass windows on all sides. 

Leaves

 The leaves keep falling, all weekend.  However, I can now again see the old Mason City High School building from which I graduated in 1956. It's just across the street from where I now live.

 Huge crowd at the No Kings Day Rally and March in Mason City, Iowa

Protests

On Saturday, October 18, there will be huge protests across this country, in large cities, small cities, and towns. The First Amendment to the U.S.Constitution grants the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.  We ARE grieved about what this administration is doing within the U.S. and around the world. May the government learn! 

Cuts to Special Education

 The Trump administration landed another blow to the U.S. Department of Education, this time gutting the office responsible for overseeing special education. The reduction affects staff members responsible for roughly $15 billion in special education funding and for making sure states provide special education services to the nation's 7.5 million children with disabilities. Children with disabilities matter! With special education they become productive adults.

 In Canada, Thanksgiving Day takes place on the second Monday of October. Thanksgiving Day in 2025 will be celebrated on Monday, October 13th, coinciding with the end of the fall harvest in the Northern Hemisphere.

Iowa

 The Ioway (Iowa) people, is the Native American tribe for whom the state is named. The indigenous peoples of Iowa include the Ioway, Meskwaki (Fox), Sauk (Sac), and the Dakota (Sioux), among others who lived in the area or were relocated there. The Meskwaki are the only tribe to have successfully purchased and retained land, preserving a significant cultural presence in the state today.  

Oct 11

 

Oct 11 is Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day but because Oct. 11 is this Saturday, the federal holiday will be recognized on Monday, Oct. 13.

Indigenous Peoples' Day, challenged Columbus' legacy due to his role in the colonization and violence against Indigenous people in North America.

President Donald Trump has signed an order that he won't recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. We need to! 

Where next?

 Where next? The current administration is sending troops into cities across the nation: Chicago, Portland, Memphis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans. Where next? Everywhere and anywhere, cities and states are in danger of being invaded, militarized. It is not a matter of it "might happen tomorrow," but it is beginning now. Fall is coming. The plants on our deck are still alive, but for how long? Inevitably they will wither. When? Soon, very soon. The plants will be gone. What else will be lost?

Gaza Oct. 7

 "It looked like a war zone," people say after a fire or tornado.  You have seen pictures of Gaza today. Here is a war zone that looks like the country will never be able to rebuild at all. On Dec. 7, 2023, Hamas killed 1,140 people in Israel and took about 200 people hostage. Since that times Israel has killed over 67,000 people in Gaza and wounded over 169, 680. Stop the killing! Work for a two-state solution.

Jan Goodall

 I am saddened by the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist and world-renowned conservationist, at age 91. Her curiosity, dedication to science, and commitment to the natural world redefined our understanding of animal behavior and inspired a global movement to environment stewardship.