You make known the path of life; In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (ESV) (Psalm 16:11)

On my first page this month, I covered two new works of art in Downtown Des Moines. But now we will head west to WiINDSOR HEIGHTS for more art related pictures and stories.

Views of a Farm Boy--Dedicated to promote Iowa agriculture and Iowa values--Robert Vaughn--Urbandale, Iowa  EMAIL:   vaughnrobert@me.com

Throughout the years I have featured many art murals in and around greater Des Moines, but this page is special for me. For 30 years I worked at Harder Pharmacy in Windsor Heights. The building is gone, but it was located probably about 100 feet from the above photos. I was also active in the Windsor Height Fire Department (volunteer) and many years on the city council. The city administration-public safety building was just one block down the street. Our grocery store was where the Grounds For Celebration (now a strip mall) is located.The office of the doctor that delivered our children was right around the corner.  Our home, where we spent 25 very happy years, was less than one block away. Our mission focused church (Olivet Baptist) was a "distant" one mile away on 73rd street. You can see why I spent long periods of time without ever leaving town. But here is the point of this story. My 30 years we lived in Windsor Heights was my "special time." This is where we lived and where I worked. But most of all--our home on 68th street is where we raised our kids. At my age (93) I spend a lot of time looking back at life. I think a lot about the good times and try to filter out the not-so-good. But all in all--I feel so blessed.

At first sight (above-top) this might look like a bridge to nowhere. It crosses a bio-retention project in the parking lot of Colby Park in Windsor Heights. But signs on the bridge planks (above) tell us more--"Cross the Bridge to a Better Life." This bridge marks the 25th anniversary of a nonprofit organization, "Bridges of Iowa." This organization was founded by an Iowa couple (Don and Charlene Lamberti) in memory of their son who suffered from drug addiction. We still have a long way to go, but I am thankful for the medical and psychological progress that is more available in recent years. So the murals that align this bridge are much more than a display of art. They remind us of how we can be more accepting and supportive and even play a part to put a stop to this tragic epidemic that is sweeping our nation.

Is this just a coincidence? As I returned from Colby Park I found a new art project in progress (and met a new friend) at 66th and University in Windsor Heights. My new friend, Levy Biel was putting the finishing touches on a new work of art. It is located on a large utility box by the Grounds For Celebration Coffee Shop.