And then I wrote...

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that these are called the Dog Days of Summer, and this year, that seems more than usually apt. The period, from some time in July through August, is so-named because of when the Dog Star, Sirius, is most noticed. It is the doldrums.

As I mowed my lawn last week, I noted that it has required weekly mowing since first started, and recalled many years when a dry spell would halt grass growth and we could skip a few days or maybe even a week between mowings. This year, with abundant rain and extremely high dew points, the grass and other foliage has grown with wild abandon. With periods of sun and clouds while I mowed, it seemed as if the property was almost tropical looking with its green lushness.

But it also occurred to me as I dodged reaching vines and wild berry bushes, that part of the reason for the growth is that I am not the steward of my property to the extent I once was. I used to tend to those areas and keep them trimmed. Now, with added age, less strength and less stamina, growth is unchecked. And what time I can devote is also a victim. It takes me an hour to do what I used to do in ten minutes, and in fact, sometimes just the gathering of necessary tools tires me out!

Other things change, too.

When 1 brought in this morning’s newspapers, I was made aware of one of those changes.

The Gazette devoted four of five front page columns to a feel-good story about an Iowa City barber, still working at age 70. Two photos on front, and two more and lots more story on the jump page.

The Register had four full length columns on front with part two of a story about a 20-year-old murder at the state fair. The jump used up two full pages inside. And apparently a part three is yet to come.

Where is the news? If it’s 20 years old, it isn’t news, it’s “olds.”

Those are, or once were, called feature stories, and were not given the same placement as hard news stories.

But then, newspapers always kept their front pages inviolate. Now, there are sometimes ads, sometimes “sticky” ads, on front pages.

Oh! And the Chicago Cubs have the best record in baseball as of this writing, and seem to have post-season playoffs in their grasp, perhaps even a World Series appearance.

But we Cub fans are worried. They lost two in a row to the Cardinals on eighth inning rallies.

Does that signal the end of the dream ... again?