My friend Terri says I don’t drink enough water. And she may be right. I have explained to her that, when I am thirsty, I go to the faucet and drink a full glass of water. I don’t carry around a half-gallon with me at all times like she does, but to each her own. Meanwhile, she sees drinking water as the solution to most everything. Have a headache? Drink more water. Feet itch? Drink more water. Kidney stones? Drink more water. Global warming? OK, maybe not that one — maybe.
Although I don’t hoard H20, I do value it. As a high school and college wrestler who cut his share of weight, I clearly understand water balance and real thirst. And on a related note, as a kid who worked on farms in rural Iowa, I saw the magnitude of chemicals and livestock manure that found their way into rural streams and rivers.
Yes, I do value our water, and I am concerned about it. Thanks to the work of people like the late Bill Stowe (former Des Moines Water Works CEO) and the inquisitive Art Cullen (Storm Lake Times editor, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author), we have all become more aware of the importance of clean water. The situation has improved, but we can — and must — do better. I, for one, would like to continue to go to the faucet and fill up my glass. And Terri, of course, wants to keep toting that half-gallon.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and, as always, thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 |
