Sara, Shelly and I just finished a Zoom meeting with the Iowa Department of Education. They want us to work with them on activities and fact sheets to flesh out their latest nutrition education efforts. It’s going to be fun and exciting to tag onto the culinary competitions they sponsored in high schools across Iowa last year. There aren’t many … Read
Covid–What Can We Do?
The other day I went on a Downtown Adventure at what used to be Peace Park, but is now the south area of Cowles Commons. It’s a lovely space, featuring prairie plants and native trees. There are inscriptions on long, low, stone walls snaking through the park. Many of the quotes were familiar, but a few were new; as were … Read
Just Calm Down!
My name is Mary. I am nine years old. Yesterday, I went to yoga class to help show some of the activities. It was really fun! We had three 30-minute classes. The students were in pre-K through fifth grade. I noticed when the students came into the gym they were a little crazy and when they left, they were calm. … Read
Happy (Virtual) New Year’s Eve!
2020 has been quite a year! And at the Hostel Taco we’re ready to wish it a not-so-fond goodbye! So, we’re having a Zoom-based Virtual Party!!! Please join us for dancing, deep thoughts, fortune telling, games and of course chatting around the Punch Bowl! We’ll be sharing some details and resources on this post, so watch for updates in the … Read
Be the Change–Voting Rights
Join us for our “Zoom Workshops” to support the belief that Black Lives Matter. We’ll study the issues, as well as routes to action. We’re starting with voting rights because we want to make sure we make our votes count in this critical election.
Educate for Change
We may not change the world overnight, but we can read and learn about White privilege, join marches and protests. Support the Black people at the heart of the movement, and step back to remember it’s not about us.
Forest Bathing
No matter where you are today, walk outside. Breathe the fresh air. Touch the earth. Pick up a handful of soil. See how you feel.
Women’s Work
It’s complicated. Cook. Wash dishes. Mop the floor. Clean the toilet. Do the laundry. Change diapers. Even though we have careers, paying jobs, and own businesses, much of this work falls on our shoulders. And laps. And keeps us on our toes. In the last year, I fired our cleaning service and started taking care of my granddaughter June one day … Read
Celebrate Juneteenth!
Tomorrow is Juneteenth, the anniversary of the announcement of the end of slavery. It’s not a well known holiday for lots of reasons. One is that we don’t really like to talk about that part of our history. We don’t like to acknowledge the shadow side of our country and culture. But “If you are serious about American culture and … Read
Ain’t I A Woman?
“If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.”–Sojourner Truth, 1851 As I understand it, when Sojourner Truth spoke the … Read
