@thomasrodonnell.bsky.social
The Keo Lions Festival of Trees ended today with the usual long line to pay They let me bag trees with Milton Lion Gary Cooper. The trees then awaited pickup or delivery via a fleet of trucks. Paula & Tom Allen ably collected payments. Another successful event, raising thousands for the community!
December 8, 2025 at 12:44 AM
The Keo Lions Festival of Trees ended today with the usual long line to pay They let me bag trees with Milton Lion Gary Cooper. The trees then awaited pickup or delivery via a fleet of trucks. Paula & Tom Allen ably collected payments. Another successful event, raising thousands for the community!
On duty again, selling admission for four (!) Van Buren County Schools basketball games. I'm decked out in my new Warriors shirt. Long past time I got one! It's always a pleasure to help out our school district.
December 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
On duty again, selling admission for four (!) Van Buren County Schools basketball games. I'm decked out in my new Warriors shirt. Long past time I got one! It's always a pleasure to help out our school district.
Paula & I also shopped for wreaths at the Keosauqua Lions Festival of trees. Tom Allen was among those keeping watch over a forest of elegantly decorated real trees as Michael Philipsen played Christmas carols. Get to the Roberts Building to make your bids. Vash and carry items are available, too.
December 6, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Paula & I also shopped for wreaths at the Keosauqua Lions Festival of trees. Tom Allen was among those keeping watch over a forest of elegantly decorated real trees as Michael Philipsen played Christmas carols. Get to the Roberts Building to make your bids. Vash and carry items are available, too.
The first of two seasonal events Paula and I attended tonight: tree lighting in Bentonsport, with folks gathered round the fire, Ted Kralicek elfed out, and Mindy Kralicek tinkling the electronic ivories in the snow. The decorations are really well done. Stop by and see them.
December 6, 2025 at 2:02 AM
The first of two seasonal events Paula and I attended tonight: tree lighting in Bentonsport, with folks gathered round the fire, Ted Kralicek elfed out, and Mindy Kralicek tinkling the electronic ivories in the snow. The decorations are really well done. Stop by and see them.
Our last day in Tampa before the long drive home: at the @tampabaybuccaneers.bsky.social vs Arizona Cardinals game with Tony, his best bud Peter and Peter's wife Becca; our last dinner together at Babushka's with pirozhki and Turkish coffee. See you again soon, Antoine!
December 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Our last day in Tampa before the long drive home: at the @tampabaybuccaneers.bsky.social vs Arizona Cardinals game with Tony, his best bud Peter and Peter's wife Becca; our last dinner together at Babushka's with pirozhki and Turkish coffee. See you again soon, Antoine!
Scenes from a Thanksgiving trip to Tampa-St. Pete: contemplating an Ybor City chicken; Recreating a 1982 photo with Jose Marti and a more beautiful woman than the one I posed with then; Tony talking to an AI Dali on the lobster phone; the Don CeSar glowing in the twilight on St. Pete Beach.
December 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Scenes from a Thanksgiving trip to Tampa-St. Pete: contemplating an Ybor City chicken; Recreating a 1982 photo with Jose Marti and a more beautiful woman than the one I posed with then; Tony talking to an AI Dali on the lobster phone; the Don CeSar glowing in the twilight on St. Pete Beach.
After visiting the Alabama state capitol and the Freedom Ride museum at the restored Montgomery Greyhound bus station, we stopped at the First Baptist "brick a day" Church, wherr rioters confronted Freedom Riders. Ironically, the Montgomery Police station is now across the street. Much history here.
November 25, 2025 at 8:46 PM
After visiting the Alabama state capitol and the Freedom Ride museum at the restored Montgomery Greyhound bus station, we stopped at the First Baptist "brick a day" Church, wherr rioters confronted Freedom Riders. Ironically, the Montgomery Police station is now across the street. Much history here.
Lunch at Montgomery's Dreamland BBQ, where these letterpress signs were outside the restroom. I endorse both sentiments. The BBQ pork sandwich and macaroni and cheese were just fair.
November 25, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Lunch at Montgomery's Dreamland BBQ, where these letterpress signs were outside the restroom. I endorse both sentiments. The BBQ pork sandwich and macaroni and cheese were just fair.
An elegant dinner with my favorite person outside a grocery store and gas station in Fulton, Mississippi. We'll be in Tampa for #thanksgiving with Young Tony O:Donnell.
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 AM
An elegant dinner with my favorite person outside a grocery store and gas station in Fulton, Mississippi. We'll be in Tampa for #thanksgiving with Young Tony O:Donnell.
Paula & I are at Keosauqua's Roberts Center where a huge crowd turned out to support the family of Kelly Osborne, who died in a work accident. Dozens of items - guns, baked goods, clothes (& two items we donated) are getting huge bids. Great to see all VBC opening its wallets and hearts
November 23, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Paula & I are at Keosauqua's Roberts Center where a huge crowd turned out to support the family of Kelly Osborne, who died in a work accident. Dozens of items - guns, baked goods, clothes (& two items we donated) are getting huge bids. Great to see all VBC opening its wallets and hearts
I have business in Mt Pleasant today so I thought I'd try one of their local laundries. It's BIG, with helpful signs to size the machines, from double to MEGA. Loads of fun? It depends on how you get your jollies ... #laundryday
November 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I have business in Mt Pleasant today so I thought I'd try one of their local laundries. It's BIG, with helpful signs to size the machines, from double to MEGA. Loads of fun? It depends on how you get your jollies ... #laundryday
Attended the VBC Hospital open house tonight and toured many newly renovated spaces containing new devices: CAT scan, mammography machine and cafeteria. The OR staff pulled me in to mimic having a colon polyp (actually a Craisin) removed. So lucky to have this outstanding facility here.
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Attended the VBC Hospital open house tonight and toured many newly renovated spaces containing new devices: CAT scan, mammography machine and cafeteria. The OR staff pulled me in to mimic having a colon polyp (actually a Craisin) removed. So lucky to have this outstanding facility here.
The fiery maple rapidly shed its leaves while the oaks dawdle. With about 100 feet of interlaced power cords linked to our blower, I herded the colorful detritus into banks and raked them onto a tarp, which I repeatedly lugged to the woods for release. Still must get the west side. #fallingleaves
November 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The fiery maple rapidly shed its leaves while the oaks dawdle. With about 100 feet of interlaced power cords linked to our blower, I herded the colorful detritus into banks and raked them onto a tarp, which I repeatedly lugged to the woods for release. Still must get the west side. #fallingleaves
Attended the #veteransday🇺🇸 program at VBC schools. Shane Begley, ex-Marinel, cited the 14 qualities of leadership, esp. integrity; empty table for POWs and MIA; 2 of my fave vets, Diane Carr & Dick Breckenridge. Also: Winn Starnes, Bob Waugh, Dale House, Larry Shipley & others. Well done, soldiers.
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Attended the #veteransday🇺🇸 program at VBC schools. Shane Begley, ex-Marinel, cited the 14 qualities of leadership, esp. integrity; empty table for POWs and MIA; 2 of my fave vets, Diane Carr & Dick Breckenridge. Also: Winn Starnes, Bob Waugh, Dale House, Larry Shipley & others. Well done, soldiers.
Remembering my dad, Gus O'Donnell (WWII, New Guinea) & other vets in my family: @iowawoman.bsky.social @iowadave68.bsky.social Dan O'Donnell & my many nephews. I know from their stories & lives that military duty is life-changing. We're grateful for all they've done and continue doing #veteransday
November 11, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Remembering my dad, Gus O'Donnell (WWII, New Guinea) & other vets in my family: @iowawoman.bsky.social @iowadave68.bsky.social Dan O'Donnell & my many nephews. I know from their stories & lives that military duty is life-changing. We're grateful for all they've done and continue doing #veteransday
Pix from the Miller-Meeks event in Keo: An audience from across the district, eager to join a rare town hall; with reps Adam Zabner and Elinor Levin; and constituents outside the venue. 3M may have thought appearing here would bring a sympathetic, mostly Republican audience. She miscalculated.#ia01
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Pix from the Miller-Meeks event in Keo: An audience from across the district, eager to join a rare town hall; with reps Adam Zabner and Elinor Levin; and constituents outside the venue. 3M may have thought appearing here would bring a sympathetic, mostly Republican audience. She miscalculated.#ia01
Paula and I enjoyed the @iademocrats Liberty & Justice dinner in Des Moines last night. Our Van Bure County award winners we're recognized, we saw old friends and super volunteers Dave Langer and Donna Richard Langer, and checked in with @iowasendems leader Janice Weiner. Much energy!
November 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Paula and I enjoyed the @iademocrats Liberty & Justice dinner in Des Moines last night. Our Van Bure County award winners we're recognized, we saw old friends and super volunteers Dave Langer and Donna Richard Langer, and checked in with @iowasendems leader Janice Weiner. Much energy!
The devil is donning a parka. This is at least the second time 3M has been in VBC in recent weeks. Could it be the No Kings rally and other signs of discontent in this strongly Republican county have her worried?
November 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The devil is donning a parka. This is at least the second time 3M has been in VBC in recent weeks. Could it be the No Kings rally and other signs of discontent in this strongly Republican county have her worried?
#Pancake breakfast this morning for the community club in Douds, a hamlet determined to stay vital. Longtime owners of Moore's Grocery and the Lunchbox Cafe were honored for service to the town. Enjoyed seeing three VBC anchors, Bob Pedrick and Jon Finney, and Bob's dsughter-in-law Gwen.
November 8, 2025 at 5:53 PM
#Pancake breakfast this morning for the community club in Douds, a hamlet determined to stay vital. Longtime owners of Moore's Grocery and the Lunchbox Cafe were honored for service to the town. Enjoyed seeing three VBC anchors, Bob Pedrick and Jon Finney, and Bob's dsughter-in-law Gwen.
The annual soup supper to support the Villages Folk School always draws a crowd to Bentonsport's Stone House community center. It's consistently delicious and you can leave with beautiful art pieces. Sorely missed: the late Betty Printy's homemade bread. #folkart
November 8, 2025 at 2:31 AM
The annual soup supper to support the Villages Folk School always draws a crowd to Bentonsport's Stone House community center. It's consistently delicious and you can leave with beautiful art pieces. Sorely missed: the late Betty Printy's homemade bread. #folkart
We joined the Andrews family & friends today for their annual Hog Walk, marking their ancestors' annual trek herding pigs to market from the farm to Bonaparte. The full route is 13 miles. Our bodies permitted us to cover about 7. We were among a group that paused in a machine shed to don rain gear.
November 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
We joined the Andrews family & friends today for their annual Hog Walk, marking their ancestors' annual trek herding pigs to market from the farm to Bonaparte. The full route is 13 miles. Our bodies permitted us to cover about 7. We were among a group that paused in a machine shed to don rain gear.
This is our favorite of the trees on our property: almost perfectly conical, a strong, straight trunk, and on fire every Fall. We have another maple on the south side and many oaks. Nothing else is as beautiful. #autumnleaves
November 1, 2025 at 1:08 AM
This is our favorite of the trees on our property: almost perfectly conical, a strong, straight trunk, and on fire every Fall. We have another maple on the south side and many oaks. Nothing else is as beautiful. #autumnleaves
If you missed Saturday's #education forum with @iowahousedems.bsky.social you can still register your views here. It's long, but you can skip questions if they don't apply or don't interest you.
actionnetwork.org/surveys/educ...
actionnetwork.org/surveys/educ...
Education Forum Survey
What would you like to see from legislators to address Iowa's education needs?
actionnetwork.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:38 PM
If you missed Saturday's #education forum with @iowahousedems.bsky.social you can still register your views here. It's long, but you can skip questions if they don't apply or don't interest you.
actionnetwork.org/surveys/educ...
actionnetwork.org/surveys/educ...
Took time over the weekend and yesterday to clear the beds and tuck in the asparagus for the winter. I let them get wild but it cleared well. Of course, in Spring I'll have to deal with millions of grass seeds left behind. ... #homegardening🌱
October 29, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Took time over the weekend and yesterday to clear the beds and tuck in the asparagus for the winter. I let them get wild but it cleared well. Of course, in Spring I'll have to deal with millions of grass seeds left behind. ... #homegardening🌱
Drove to Ottumwa yesterday for a listening post with IA House #education reps Mary Madison Heather Matson and Eric Gjerde. An illuminating discussion with several people devoted to regaining Iowa's top spot in school quality.
October 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Drove to Ottumwa yesterday for a listening post with IA House #education reps Mary Madison Heather Matson and Eric Gjerde. An illuminating discussion with several people devoted to regaining Iowa's top spot in school quality.