I am not a Baby Boomer. And I don’t consider myself part of Generation X either. I guess I am in middle, and that’s just fine with me. I never really felt a need to be part of a generation with a name. Generalizing just isn’t my thing. I have been called “old-school” and “young punk” in the same day. It all seems to be a matter of perspective from the name-caller.

I appreciate the song “Hey Nineteen” by Steely Dan. The words of the song explain the generational differences a man is beginning to understand when dating a younger woman. “No, we can’t dance together. No, we can’t talk at all.” It is a commentary on the fear of growing old, the struggle to stay relevant. Most all of us can relate. If you can’t yet, you will at some point.

Meanwhile, we tend to believe the music we listened to, the shows we watched, the cars we drove, the toys we played with, and the slang we used were all part of the best generation. We also tend to hang on to many of those things. A reader recently sent me a list of reasons “why Baby Boomers were right all along.” I will share a few edited versions to see what you think.

They actually talked to each other. No texts, no DMs, just face-to-face conversations or a good old-fashioned phone call. Boomers had long chats at the dinner table or spent hours on the porch with friends and neighbors.

They fixed things instead of throwing them away. Boomers grew up in a time when fixing was the norm. These days, most folks are quick to toss and replace, and honestly, it’s left us with landfills full of perfectly fixable stuff.

They valued hard work. Work was a point of pride. Whether it was delivering papers as a kid or putting in overtime to provide for a family, Boomers weren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves. These days, the focus seems to be on doing the least for the most, and something feels lost.

They knew the value of a dollar. Boomers lived in a time when you saved for what you wanted, and credit cards weren’t handed out like candy. If you couldn’t afford it, you didn’t buy it.

They dressed for the occasion. Boomers didn’t wear sweatpants to dinner or flip-flops to the office. They believed in dressing appropriately, and it was a way to show respect for themselves and others. Somewhere along the way, we traded pressed shirts for yoga pants.

They listened to elders. Boomers grew up respecting the wisdom of older generations. Grandparents were fountains of advice and stories, not out-of-touch relics. These days, youth culture dominates, and we forget that older folks have a lot to teach us.

I tend to agree with many of these points. As a result, some of you will think I’m crazy. Some will think I’m just growing old. Where’s Aretha Franklin when I need her?

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 past columns here.

SOUND CIRCUIT
Joe Bonamassa

By Jackie Wilson

Guitarist and blues singer Joe Bonamassa recently surpassed yet another blues record — this one for having the most No. 1 Billboard Blues albums. He’s amassed 28 No. 1 rankings throughout his career, more than any blues musicians in the history of Billboard Music.

And the musician’s record he surpassed? His own.

Bonamassa is considered one of the top blues guitarists. Guitar World ranked him as the No. 1 blues guitarist, surpassing Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks and Buddy Guy.

He has been nominated for more than a dozen Blues Foundation and Independent Blues awards, along with Grammy nominations.

...

Tuesday Touts

The latest version of Harbinger's "yuzu" dessert rocks on all levels. This sweetheart covers a blue cheese cheesecake with yuzu curd and salted pretzel cookie crumbs, blueberries and brown butter solids.

Waterfront is stocked with uni. That is Japanese for sea urchin caviar, and it's much better tasting between November and March. They will also host their annual turtle soup and frog legs dinner tomorrow from 4 p.m.

Embracing community and nature
Kopparapu finds joy in Johnston

By Lindsey Giardino

Since relocating to Johnston in 2018, Prakash Kopparapu has found not just a home but a community that embodies his family’s values.
Part of why he chose to settle down in Johnston was for the town’s abundance of outdoor activities.

“We always wanted to be close to nature,” he explains.

Johnston, with its parks, walking and biking trails, and close proximity to Saylorville Lake, offers exactly what the family was looking for.

...

N.E. 38TH STREET BRIDGE OVER I-80 IN POLK COUNTY SCHEDULED TO CLOSE ON DEC. 2

If you drive on N.E. 38th Street east of the N.E. Mixmaster in Polk County to cross over Interstate 80, you need to be aware of an upcoming closure that may impact your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Grimes construction office.

Beginning at 5 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, weather permitting, crews will close N.E. 38th Street from Sage Street to N.E. 54th Street. The roadway and bridge over I-80 will be closed for the next three years so work can occur for the I-80 widening project between the N.E. Mixmaster and the U.S. 65 bypass.

When N.E. 38th Street is closed, you will follow a marked detour route that uses NE 38th Street, NE Broadway Avenue, NE 54th Avenue, and NE 29th Street (see map).

These celebrities were born on this date: DJ Khaled, Rita Ora, Anuel AA, Brooke Schofield, Natasha Bedingfield, Olivia O'Brien, Jake Sims, Lil Fizz, Maia Campbell, Peter Facinelli, Garcelle Beauvais, Rob Raco, Scorey

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

The answer to the last riddle: If leaves come from trees, where do turkeys come from? POUL-TREES! - Gail Tomlinson

Today's riddle: What do you get if you divide the circumference of a bowl of ice cream by its diameter?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, Waukee or Norwalk  Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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