RaeAnna + A Nerdy Lifestyle
Happy 168th Homecoming to Cornell College. I doubt they've had 168 homecoming celebrations. Did homecoming even exist in 1853? (Cornell University sure didn't. Ha! We're the older, smaller, and better (not a subjective opinion, at all) cousin—literally—in Iowa. Easily confusable, I know.) As a die-hard alum, I filled my house with flowers in school colors in honor of homecoming.
Raygun writes more than quippy sayings for shirts; they also write books. As a proud Iowa native, I love when someone else brags about how great the Midwest is. Raygun does just that in The Midwest: God's Gift to Planet Earth. No exaggeration. We may only be 67 million strong, but that's enough people to earn a reputation as a region home to the attractive and nice. Don't take my word for it, take Raygun's!
On Monday, August 10, 2020 a storm swept across the Midwest causing $4 billion in damages that will have economic effects felt around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people were affected, but national media hardly said a word. Iowans have been left behind to pick up, rebuild, find a way through, and wonder why the world didn't care.
Amazing Iowa Women by Katy Salwell Ph.D. is a beautifully illustrated book about the remarkable women who have called Iowa home. Unfortunately I'm not in it, but maybe the second edition won't overlook me.
The last three months have been insane for everyone because of COVID, but my life has been crazy because of the swarm... or the puppies. I have missed lots of things, but it has been worth it.
Raising thirteen puppies has been one of the most demanding experiences of my life. It has taken a toll on my body and my mind. I wouldn't trade these past two months for anything in the world; even though, I knew from the moment we decided to keep a very pregnant Tess, it would break my heart into thirteen pieces.