I have been jumping since the 1970s. To be honest, it started with a fascination of climbing rather than jumping. Like many young boys, I climbed trees and poles and fences. I liked to climb anything. But, as the old saying says, what goes up must come down.

We had a giant tree in the yard of my childhood home, and I climbed it every chance I had. I enjoyed being up close with the squirrels and birds and bugs. It was my getaway from any stresses a 7-year-old boy could have. I could usually climb down, but I was hanging from a limb one time and could not pull myself back up. I yelled for my brother to help me. He showed up, but his arms weren’t long enough to reach me. He told me to just let go, and he would catch me. I didn’t trust him. So, I hung there for a few minutes that felt like a few hours while he talked our neighbor into getting me down, which he did. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Reaching new heights is great, as long as you can handle the inevitable drop — or have some assistance.

I kept climbing. The neighbors’ shed. Our family’s garage. Any other trees I could find. By this time, I was as equally fascinated with the jump down as I was with the climb up. I started to pride myself (while showing off to the neighborhood kids) in how high I could jump from. I learned to land properly to cushion the blow, as I leapt from heights I wouldn’t imagine attempting today. I soon learned another valuable lesson.

I had an innertube tire that I brought inside and put at the bottom of our basement stairs. I would jump from the steps to the innertube, increasing one step with each attempt. With both feet firmly planted on the wooden step, I would fling into the air, being careful not to hit my head on the slanted ceiling, and would land on the innertube. I became quite good at it, and with each competed mission, I gained confidence. After weeks of practice, I eventually made my way to the top step. With my brother cheering me on from the basement, I sprung into the air, whooshed past the stair rail, and firmly planted my tailbone on the bottom step. After running around the basement crying with both hands on my rear end while my brother laughed at me, I realized lesson No. 2 — everyone has a limit.

As an adult, I don’t physically climb many things anymore, but I am still fascinated with attempting to reach new heights in most everything I do. Only now, I am more prepared for the inevitable drop, I have some great people to help me, and I have a better understanding of my limits. Usually.

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
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's other columns here.

JOE'S NEIGHBORHOOD
An unlikely oasis

By Joe Weeg

It’s 3 a.m. I’ve tossed and turned since going to bed four hours earlier. The sheets are twisted around my feet and tying me to the bed in some obscure knot I failed to learn for my Webelos badge in Cub Scouts 60 years ago. And now I don’t know how to either untie the knot in my sheets or to start a fire from kindling. I’m in deep trouble.

But, really, does it matter?

I started tossing and turning and staring at the ceiling around 2004. Following the latest medical guidance and peer-reviewed studies, I knew even back then that I had to get to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Good sleep hygiene, they said. So, off to bed the same time every night, and, every night … I stare at the ceiling for hours … and then I get up at the same time every morning. See, I’m the poster child of sleep hygiene without, in fact, sleeping.

Tuesday Touts

• I love many versions of beef Stroganoff but Hessen Haus has made it hard to consider any other options. They offer four applications including this one with brisket.  And they serve over real spaetzle. 

• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) hosts a Harry Potter Brunch of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3609 MERLE HAY ROAD, DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-07-15
SALE PRICE: $1,205,000
SELLER: ORD PROPERTIES LTD
BUYER: KOZY LLC
ACRES: 0.459
SQUARE FEET: 1,936

Meet Terri Tobey
Guiding her students through a year of tremendous growth

By T.K. West

Although she was not born in Iowa, Terri Tobey has lived in the state since she was very young. She is a graduate of East High School and has lived in Runnells with her family for the past 22 years. She began substitute teaching for the Southeast Polk Community School District soon after graduating from Iowa State University then accepted a long-term position with the district. Now, she teaches first grade at Centennial Elementary School, where she has been teaching for the past 30 years.

“Our district has amazing kids and families. I am privileged to work with teachers and adults that care so much about kids. Teachers in our district work hard, set high standards and are very dedicated,” she says.

These celebrities were born on this date: Ginuwine, Keyshia Cole, Emeril Lagasse, Bailee Madison, Sarah Ferguson, Eric Benét, Jim Palmer, Vanessa Marcil, Dominic West, Larry Miller, Linda Lavin, Kimberly Schlapman

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Who lives in the scary Hundred-Acre Wood? Winnie the Boo! - Mike Chiston, Gail Tomlinson, Peri Van Tassel. Or, Winnie the ghoul! - Paula Becker. Other answers from Jan Stehl, John  Zeitler.

Today's riddle:

Why didn’t the fettuccine go out for Halloween?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Johnston Living magazine or weekly, contact:

Andrea Hodapp
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 322
Mobile: 515-883-0523
andrea@iowalivingmagazines.com

©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
www.biggreenumbrellamedia.com. Add webmaster@dmcityview.com to your address book to ensure delivery. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Click here to get it delivered to your inbox for FREE!