For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be  known." (NIV) (Luke 8:17)

January was a cold month in Iowa. We mostly hunkered down in our warm house, so I did not have many outdoor adventures. On those indoor days, I looked back through my summer of 2017 day trips and decided to share a few randomly picked things with you. I love all Iowa courthouses, but these were not destinations--just part of my adventure for that particular day.

Now this is more my style! Smokey Row in Sherman Hill in Des Moines is my favorite coffee shop. Here we are on the square in Oskaloosa, Iowa. This beautiful and  glitzy theatre marquee is on the inside of Smokey Row. Thinking it over, maybe I will try some performing arts--anyone for karaoke?

Thank you for visiting "Small Town Iowa."

( I hope you will cut me a little slack--it may be kind of a hodgepodge--but it took me 3 days to put this all together.)

A lot of bull! Albert boasts of being the world's largest bull. He stands 30 ft tall and weights 45 tons. You can't miss him--he lives on the south side of Audubon, Iowa, along Highway 71.

Left: The John James Audubon Clock is 21 feet tall. This beautiful stained glass masterpiece was created by artist Clint Hansen. Drive through Audubon and you can't miss it above the front entrance of the Audubon Chamber of Commerce Building.  

I'm not big on performing arts and I think of Chicago or NYC when I hear the word "opera." I guess I need to defuse that thought. Left: The Corning Opera House built in 1902. Right: The Greenfield Opera House built in 1896. Both are on the National Register of Historic Places and they are both operational today. Maybe I should put on my tuxedo (Levis 505) and go soak up some culture.

Left: Only in Iowa! The Sac City Museum Complex is home to the world's largest popcorn ball. Sac County is popcorn country . My brother used to raise some popcorn but I never did. However, I can still admire this huge

popcorn ball that weighs 5000 pounds. Right: I am sure you all recognize this Dutch windmill at Elk Horn, Iowa.

Creston, Iowa. Above: Downtown looking toward the old depot. Right: Old U.S. Courthouse and Post Office.

My view for the month:  CHARACTER COUNTS! Look at this library of reminders--Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. These are some of the values my parents role modeled as I was growing up as a farm kid in the hill country of Western Iowa.  I'm a slow learner and did not always live up to these valuable life lessons, but each time I learned something from my many mistakes. Now as I look back and try to put it all together, I realize these are some of the things I call Iowa values--but they are applicable to everyone. I know the world has become so technical and complicated, but I hope this foundation of basic values will continue to define our children, grandchildren and the many generations to follow.  CHARACTER COUNTS!

Wall Mural on Old Park Hotel in Audubon, Iowa