In searching through old newspapers recently, I found articles with spelling and grammatical errors. The writers of that day surely cringed when the publications came back from the printer and saw the errors. But what was done was done. Printed. Delivered. Read. Errors and all. Unfortunately, these errors also became a permanent record, often microfilmed and stored in libraries or other places of record for centuries to come. 

Our media friends in radio certainly made similar mistakes, but there was no permanent record that the average person could refer back to. In television, it was much the same, except for the few recordings that might have been saved to video tape. But newspaper folks had to learn to live with those errors — forever. 

The digital age has changed this, to some degree. Mistakes in print are still mistakes in print, but the work of journalists online can now be changed, as if the errors never happened. That’s a good thing in some ways but a bad thing in others. All too often, in a reporter’s or editor’s mission to get a story out quickly, sloppy journalism happens. The online stories are edited, and the errors erased — but not before at least some readers noticed the blunders. 

Of course, you don’t have to be a paid journalist to make a mistake in writing. Most everyone has sent a text with errors. Some have emailed messages that are regretted. And a few of us have even mailed Christmas cards to friends and family with boo-boos. (Sigh.) 

Thoughts of these errors got me thinking about a product that was once commonly purchased but is less and less useful today — correction fluid. Most of us know it as the brand names Wite-Out or Liquid Paper. It was essential for those who used a typewriter and didn’t want to start over with a fresh piece of paper for every “g” that was supposed to be an “f.” 

According to an article at atlantic.com, correction fluid dates back to the 1950s when Bette Nesmith Graham took on typing jobs to make money. She apparently wasn’t a very accurate typist and made many mistakes. Bette started experimenting with ways to cover up her errors, and, in 1958, she patented Liquid Paper. A few years later, in 1966, George Kloosterhouse and Edwin Johanknecht created Wite-Out, an improved formula of correction fluid that wouldn’t show up when a document was photocopied. 

Many of you reading this may have a crusty bottle of one of these correction fluids tucked away in a desk somewhere, waiting for its day of need. Utilizing it could be a trick, though, as opening the bottle may take a herculean effort now — as could finding a typewriter to use it with.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

I wrote a column a few years back about Tupperware containers and my ongoing frustration in matching the lids with the bowls. It’s still maddening. I finally realized at least part of my match-game problem. I can’t find the appropriate Tupperware counterparts because our cupboards are filled with overpriced, insulated tumblers and their mismatched lids. Now, where did this insanity come from? 

Well, you can blame it, at least partially, on Sir James Dewar, a Scottish scientist working in cryogenics who invented the “vacuum flask” in 1892 to keep a chemical placed in a container at a stable temperature. According to thermos.com, Dewar put one glass bottle in another larger glass bottle and evacuated the air between the two bottle walls. In doing so, he created a partial vacuum to keep the temperature of the contents stable. He hired some professional glass blowers to make a sturdier flask, and this led to the manufacturing of the “Dewar Flask” in 1898.

The glassblowers, Reinhold Burger and Albert Aschenbrenner, soon discovered that this vacuum technology could be used commercially to keep drinks cold or warm. Dewar never patented the vacuum flask. These two did, and the double wall insulated cup became known as “thermos” in 1904.

So, we can’t really blame the scientist. It’s those thieving glassblowers’ fault. 

Enough history. I understand the fascination. I like my liquids cold, too. That’s why I use ice in an open cup. Then I can crunch the ice with my teeth, which I find keeps discussions with others short. 

Aside from keeping liquids hot or cold longer, I appreciate the other benefits of these adult sippy cups, too. No cup sweating. No spills. And they fit somewhat easily into the cup holders in cars.

Believe me, I am all for having a handful of these cups around the house, but do we need one in our cupboard for every day of the month? The mass quantities we have are simply ridiculous, and good luck trying to find matching lids for these tumblers. It’s like that square-peg, round-hole game you played as a toddler. If I do find a matching lid, of course, it’s the one with the tab that never stays closed. So much for the no-spill benefit. 

A few years back, I was convinced to have some of these insulated tumblers engraved with our company logo and given to staff.  Seemed like a good idea at the time. Now we have 50 of these things filling the cupboards around the office, too — along with a bunch of lids that don’t match. 

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

I heard a “stages of life” story the other day that hit home. I am guessing many of you can relate. 

The story explains how most all of us go through three stages of life that deal with accepting and understanding other people’s views of us. And, as such, we most all pass through each one of these stages and enter the next. 

The first stage is one that most all young people go through when being overly concerned with what others think of them. In an effort to fit in, they become obsessed with the shoes they wear, the haircuts they have, the music they listen to, the phones they have, etc. These are unhealthy obsessions, but ones that many young people — and, unfortunately, many grown adults — have.  What will others think? Will they like me? Will they make fun of me? Will they think I am cool? Or will they call me a nerd? If we are being honest, most all of us have been there (and some of us still are).

The second stage often happens during middle age when people say they don’t care what other people think any more, and it shows. They now wear only clothes that are comfortable, eat only food they enjoy, and listen only to music they prefer. They don’t care if others agree with them or not. The predominant attitude at this stage is, “Love me or hate me; I am who I am.” Sometimes, it is because the pain in doing things others may like is greater than any pleasure that comes from being more readily accepted. Those in this stage now wear shoes that don’t make their feet hurt, eat food that doesn’t give them indigestion, and drive vehicles that make financial sense. 

The third stage is one when older adults realize not very many folks were ever interested in what they were doing to begin with — and they certainly don’t give two hoots now. This is the stage of true enlightenment that would be good for us all to realize earlier in life. It is in this stage when people realize how big the world is and how insignificant their individual impacts are. Those in this stage certainly want to be positive role models and help others with their actions, but they realize they are not the center of everyone else’s thoughts — and they never were. 

What I find most interesting is how those in the first stage can’t envision being in the other two and even laugh at those who are. Those in stage two are relieved to no longer care about those in stage one but continue to cling to their self-importance. Those in stage three truly get it, but why? Because they are getting closer to their end of life? Because they have let go of their egos? Or because their life experiences have led them to what is truly important? The answer is probably a mix of all three.  

Regardless, most all of us will get to that stage… hopefully. 

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

“Pollyanna” is the title of a 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter and is considered a children’s literature classic. Twelve sequels were later published, most by other authors. You may not have read the books, but you likely know what it means to be pollyannish. Blindly optimistic. Rose-colored. Auspicious. Utopian. Maybe even naive. 

Many who hold true to long-standing systems, traditions and processes find those who suggest change to be pollyannish. Fair enough. But change doesn’t happen without the suggestion of new ideas. Some of those ideas may appear radical at first but are often later considered reasonable when they catch on with the masses.

So, let’s get this started. It’s time to dismantle our country’s two-party political system. Despite the fact that most Americans are independents or consider themselves moderates or centrists, the extremists are pushing the buttons for both the Republican and Democrat parties today. 

Samuel James Fry, a political science student at the time, penned a wonderful essay on this in 2016 for Odyssey. Nine years later, it seems even more logical. He pointed out how the two-party system has been “a staple of American politics since the earliest days of the country,” noting how “prior to the modern day Republican and Democratic parties, the Whigs and Democrats dominated U.S. politics, and the Federalist and Anti-Federalist factions before them.” As such, the two-party domination is hardly new. 

Unfortunately, many Americans — included me — feel unrepresented and left out, or, as Fry states, “abandoned and manipulated by both major parties.”

Fry shares how George Washington first recognized the threat to the U.S. posed by political parties, warning Americans of the “alternate domination” of one party over another and the “tendency of political factions to seek revenge against each other, building up their own power while tearing down the U.S. Constitution.”

Our nation’s elected officials are often hellbent on breaking up large corporations but seem to overlook that their parties have become monopolies as well.

Fry wrote that the ongoing war between Republicans and Democrats is “political theater at its finest,” and that “legislation implemented when one party achieves a majority, only to be overturned when the other party wins four years later, does not benefit the American people.”

He is right on all accounts, and this is maybe more obvious today than ever before in our nation’s history. So, let’s dismantle both parties. In fact, let’s eliminate all political parties and let each candidate campaign on his or her own personal merit.

It’s pollyannish, I know, but the push has to start somewhere. Why not here? 

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707

Are you a list-maker? Would you forget to do things if you didn’t write them down? Do you get a special satisfaction from crossing through each completed assignment? I do, and I get frustrated with people who don’t. Sound familiar?

Countless studies show that people who write down the things they need to do perform better. So, why doesn’t everyone — our spouses, our kids, our co-workers, our bosses — use to-do lists? 

Well, some people struggle to get started on any task, and they don’t want to be reminded of how much they need to do. After all, someone might see that list and hold them accountable or criticize their work. Other people like to start projects, but they rarely finish even one, and they don’t want to be reminded of this unfinished business. Still others simply prefer to “wing it,” thinking this somehow makes them more efficient — at least in their own mind. The reality is that adhering to a to-do list is the best solution for getting things done.

A 2017 article from The Guardian website explains this as well as I have read anywhere. The writer interviews psychologist and author Dr. David Cohen, who shares how his struggle to stay organized is helped by his to-do lists. He says his tasks must be on paper, and he needs to monitor them constantly. Cohen says we appreciate to-do lists because: 1) they dampen anxiety about the chaos of life; 2) they give us a structure, a plan we can stick to; and 3) they are proof of what we have achieved.

Cohen also stresses the importance of systems and how “scribbled notes on hands won’t cut it.” In addition, he points out that “in less harried days, our memories might have done the work.”

This article also references the “Zeigarnik effect,” which says we remember things we need to do better than things we have already done. This stems from “observing that waiters could only recall diners’ orders before they had been served. After the dishes had been delivered, their memories simply erased who had the steak and who had the soup. The deed was done, and the brain was ready to let go.” Can you relate? 

As most of us know, simply writing tasks down doesn’t ensure they will be completed. We also need to be realistic about how long it will take to accomplish these tasks, and we better have a plan of attack. As such, many of us become intimidated and avoid tackling big projects. The article states, “The best way to overcome this is to break them down into much smaller, achievable blocks.”

That sounds like a good plan. I am going to put it on my to-do list. 

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

With all the rainy and hot weather as of late, we know what often accompanies it — mosquitoes. Now there may be someone reading this who actually likes mosquitoes, but I don’t. I don’t like the buzzing, and, as a fair-skinned Irishman, I don’t like the biting. They apparently like me, and I want to end the relationship. Sound familiar? 

Unfortunately, mosquitoes are common insects that exist all over our planet. The little buggers come in various shapes and sizes, too, with more than 3,500 types found worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), not all mosquitoes bite. That may be true, but I haven’t met one. 

Did you know that adult mosquitoes can live indoors and outdoors? Or that mosquitoes can bite day and night? How about that adult mosquitoes live two to four weeks, depending on the species? Much like humans, female mosquitoes live longer than male mosquitoes. Interestingly, only female mosquitoes bite, and they do so to get a “blood meal” to produce eggs. These little-known Cliff Clavin facts and more can be found on the CDC website.

I was inspired to research mosquitos after reading a Huffington Post article stating that citronella candles do not repel mosquitoes. Of course, I just bought a pack at a local hardware store in preparation to combat the mini-vampires. In doing so, I read the packaging on one that stated it did not repel mosquitoes. I thought that was odd, but now it makes sense. Apparently, citronella in its essential oil form can deter bugs, but citronella candles don’t have enough of the active ingredients to prevent mosquitoes from “getting all up in your personal space,” according to the Huffington Post story. Citronella candles also release their active ingredients vertically from the flame, minimizing where the active ingredients reach. Who knew?

So if citronella candles don’t repel mosquitoes, then what does? Well, the story says outdoor essential oil diffusers are more effective in bug protection than candles. Those that contain geraniol and linalool are best, and these two compounds can be found in essential oils and aromatic plants and herbs like rose oil, lemongrass, basil and lavender. If you are looking for a low-cost bug repellant, the story suggests diluting lemon eucalyptus essential oils in water and spraying it around your outdoor area.

If you prefer to keep things simple, you can do what I do and start a fire in a wood-burning pit. According to the story, smoke from natural woods helps with bug protection. Interestingly, “bug lights” work to repel bugs, too. Simply swap out your deck or outdoor light bulbs with the yellow lights. And, if all else fails, turn on a large outdoor fan. Mosquitoes are not strong fliers, and a large fan will keep you cool and make it more difficult for mosquitoes to get near you.

Here’s to a mosquito-free summer!

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707