March 28, 2024

My first truly ‘spring’ day

So, for the first time since I’ve lived in Iowa, we got some decent weather and it was freaking wonderful.

Seriously, it’s amazing how a just a little bit of sunshine can lighten your mood and put a smile on your face. I had a wonderful first “real” day of spring on Saturday.

The day started with me eating the “Breakfast of Champions,” an Egg McMuffin and small coffee followed by a trip to the barbershop in Des Moines. My usual barber wasn’t there and I had to go to another guy, (side note: never let the “guest” barber cut your hair.)

After that I headed toward I-80 to enjoy this great day in my wonderful little slice of Americana — Newton.

Once I got off the highway, the first thing I did was head to Newton Health Care Center to help support their “topless” car wash. I joked around with the ladies there and some of the residents and met Wikid Likir lead singer Paul Davis, (not sure when, but look for a future feature story on that band one day from me, folks).

After the ladies got what Andrea Shepard called, “the dirtiest white car I have ever seen,” all sparkly — except for the top, of course — I hit the square. As I was driving there, I rolled my windows down and took in the sights.

People were riding bikes, mowing lawns, and jogging. Little kids were playing outside, and birds were chirping. The whole thing was just so wonderful and refreshing to see.

When I arrived at the square, I hit up the Capitol II to see “Oblivion.” While there I also met Joy the pig, the unofficial Capitol II mascot and another awesome member of the Bleeker family.

Also while there, I realized it was the second Tom Cruise movie I had seen there and that he is the fastest man in the world, (there’s a reason he runs in every film, people).

After the movie I needed some caffeine — FYI: all journalists are caffeine addicts — and Uncle Nancy’s was closed, so Bridgehouse got the honors of alleviating my need for a caffeine fix. As I was walking, I saw a girl in her prom dress, out with her family, taking pictures.

I was just really enjoying my day.

From there I walked to the office to check on something and ran into Davis again —another sign that I must write that story. I left the office, walking back to my car as I hummed Ice Cube’s “Today was a Good Day” to myself and decided to make a quick Walmart run.

After that, I went home and made some of my patented sweet potato and chicken chili and watched some cartoons. Once my especially thought-provoking episode of “Justice League” finished up, I got dressed and prepared to go watch “SuperBad” at the Turner residence, the home of Daily News sports writer Dustin and Figgy his cat/roommate.

Dustin and I were joined by Daily News staff writer Matthew Shepard, fresh off his coverage of Newton Senior High School prom, and we soon hit up my first love of Newton: The Scoreboard. It almost felt like I was on “Cheers,” considering how many folks I knew there from working with them and just hanging out in town.

Overall, I had a fan-freaking-tastic Saturday, right here in my newly adopted second hometown of Newton.

If I had this much fun with the weather being in the 70s, I can only imagine what the summer has in store for me.

Thunder Nites, anyone?

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Staff writer Ty Rushing may be contacted at (641)-792-3121, ext. 426, or at trushing@newtondailynews.com via email.