Rarely do perfect days come along. However, the students at West Harrison in Mondamin have given me hope by their warm enthusiasm and belief in dreams. The evening before my speeches started out right by the generosity of the Oak Tree Inn who allowed me to stay free in their comfortable/roomy inn.

When I arrived at West Harrison I was greeted by Kelley Ruffcorn who treated me like a celebrity. The gym I spoke in was superb with an excellent sound system. The front table had a picture of me welcoming me to the school. Right off the bat, I was to speak to grades 9-12. I decided to change my routine by including the "Do-over" game. I offered the students a little bit of information about a particular dilemma and then asked them, "What would you do?" After a response, I filled in a little more detail of the situation and then asked the students again, "What would you do?" The students were not only intrigued with the game but also offered adult solutions. I finally felt I had connected with these students. What a great bunch of young adults who have bright futures ahead of them.

After my middle school presentation, I was whisked away to an English composition class where I spoke to the students about writing techniques to help them advance their writing skills. One young lady approached me to review her written story, and I was delighted to offer her some important advice.

After lunch, I walked in the gym and was surprised by the K-3 students who began singing: "Take me out to the ball game..." Their childlike voices left a lump in my throat. I have never felt so honored and privileged. We then went on to have some fun and these youngsters were so filled with joy. I then listened to some kindergartners tell me their eventful stories and finished up the day listening to Mrs. Earlywine's second grade class read their colorful stories. As each child read what they had written about snakes, torn pants, jumping on trampolines, I could see the sparkle in their eyes. Sharing your words in front of an attentive group can be such an inspiration as these children and their talented teacher had discovered.

West Harrison parents should be proud of the joy and hope these teachers have offered their students. Mrs. Ruffcorn made sure I was welcomed by all.

It isn't often I can claim of a perfect day but this was as close as it gets. I want to thank the teachers and the respectful students who offered me an out pouring of affection. If you ever think that the United States has already seen its best years visit Mondamin and the students of West Harrison and like me you'll become a believer in that our best years have yet to come.

After my speech at South Hardin, I had to travel three hours west back toward Remsen. I decided to stay in Cherokee. Fortunately, a diner was still open and the deep-fried chicken hit the spot. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep well because the small hotel had paper-thin walls.

Remsen Union is a quaint town and unlike many small farming communities nearing obscurity this is a town that remained vibrant. Old and new houses were well maintained. When I signed up at the local library to use the computer, the librarian recognized my name and asked if I would autograph the library's copy of my book. The librarian also took time out of her schedule to listen to my speech.

When I arrived at Remsen's High School, Stacey Galles greeted me with a warm smile. Stacey had requested I speak to the students and she was a terrific host - ensuring my water supply never ran out. She also gave me time to cash the school's check at their local bank - which was desperately needed considering my money supply for hotels was running short.

I was scheduled to speak 4 times. The high school students were first. I spoke on a wooden stage in a roomy auditorium. Initially, the high school students were enthusiastic about my speech. I had invited the seniors on stage and asked their fellow students to offer them a round of applause for their accomplishment. And yet, after my speech turned serious about the challenges these students faced in a world economy, the students became disenchanted. How do you forewarn such independent spirits about the hardships they'd soon have to live with? They'd been living in a vaccuum for 18 years and would soon be thrust on center stage. Such students were like molded plaster - tough and rigid on the outside and yet fragile on the inside.

How do you tell such students the world would measure them by their output and their opinions - at least initially - had no relevance in a global economy struggling to stay financially secure?

Afterward, I spoke to the younger students and we had so much fun that I broke several times in laughter. The highlight of my visit was when St. Mary's students filled the auditorium. They blended well with the other students and we sure enjoyed ourselves.

As I was driving toward my next adventure, I had to wonder if our rigid testing standards to ensure state educational conformity was the root cause for the loss of wonder in older students.

I had to travel 3 hours east to my next destination to Radcliffe's Elementary School. I didn't have much time to explore the small town but was impressed with the grain silos that gave me a clue as to where I would need to turn to find the school.

The K-5 students were well behaved and enjoyed confessing their dreams to me. I am always amazed by the smiles when children confess their dreams to the rest of their class.

My next stop in the afternoon was to South Hardin Middle School. The reception I received in the afternoon was thunderous. The school's superintendent also received me with a warm reception. He had just made it from a long flight where he had had a layover in Texas. He was excited telling me about the new technology and building the school was in the process of building.

Three young men introduced me to thunderous applause and the students were bright and alert to the message I delivered. We certainly had fun. After my speech, three young ladies confessed that they were soft ball players and hoped one day to receive the merits my daughter, Erin, has received. They touched Erin's Team USA uniform like it were the Holy Grail.

What I will always remember from my trip to Hubbard Radcliffe is what happened after the admiring crowd dispersed. A young lady wearing dark make-up and dressed in black ( I believe the kids call it Gothic) asked me about my writing contest. She seemed as if the world had finally opened up to her and she would have this opportunity to express the feelings I'm assuming she kept hidden inside from a small town like Hubbard that might not be willing to accept her uniqueness.

This young lady had a dream like most of these children but her dream was already teeming within and I certainly hope she will express her feelings via the writing essay. Behind all that make-up I could see her yearning. I am fortunate that I didn't ask her name because I'm sure it would have been difficult not to place her paper in high regard. Though I am sure the beauty within her and in her writing will surface through the stacks of essays. I hope, young lady, you will never lose that sense of speciality.

I had no idea how close Iowa was to South Dakota. And just as you might imagine, the temperature dropped nearly 20 degrees from Des Moines to Le Mars where I stayed at Bel Air Motel. The owner of the motel was very cordial even offering me a discount once I told him I was speaking in Marcus and Cleghorn. He asked me to autograph a copy of the Principal Park book which he was going to read to his two-year-old son.

With time to kill, I opted to explore the town of Le Mars, which was pretty empty probably because it was Sunday. Le Mars is consired the "Ice Cream Capital of the World" because of Wells Dairy which most of us know as Blue Bunny ice cream. At its peak, Wells employed nearly 1400 employees and was founded in 1913. However, it has since sold its milk operation to Dean's Foods. It still owns the North Plant where ice cream is processed. I sampled a hot fudge sundae at its visitor's shop and just like the old days the hot fudge was good to the last spooning.

I also ate at Bob's Drive-in which was opened in 1949. Bob's is know for its Tavern sandwiches. The ground beef is crumbled into pea-sized pebbles and steam-heated. In my neck-of-the-woods, we'd call them a sloppy joe without the sauce. I sampled a Bob's Dog, which is a hot dog with a liberal sprinking of Bob's beef. It was an unusual taste, but good.

I spoke to the students at Marcus in a small gym where the high school wrestlers practice. The children were excited and one young boy with a pierced ear won over the crowd with his soft, yet dramatic scream.

I then spoke to the middle school students at Cleghorn and I called on one young man to help me read a skit between Fuji and his father. My volunteer tried with all his effort to put on the performance of his life in front of his peers. Mrs. Tritz-Rhodes, who'd invited me to speak, was impressed. She said, "We weren't sure how he would perform because he struggles in reading." And yet she said, "His words were clear and even the students paused on how well he had performed."

I had to agree with Mrs. Tritz-Rhodes. All children - regardless of physical/mental disabilities - will always give us their best when offered a chance to shine.

Because of having some idle time, I opted to attend the state wrestling tournament at the Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa is noted for wrestling with Dan Gable its local hero having won a gold medal in the Freestyle Olympics. Iowa State and Iowa are always at the top of the list in the NCAA wrestling tournament. I was excited knowing I'd be watching some top high school wrestlers.

The city of Des Moines is pretty easy to get around in. They have a skywalk that allows pedesterians to cross high over streets and with the winter weather averaging 9 degrees in the morning in February walking in the comfort of an enclosed glass capsule is well worth it.

However, I too was once a wrestler and to cut weight I'd run late in the winter evenings just to tip the scale in my favor. You never forget the bite of wet winter winds in the country. The tournament was packed. I had to park several miles out because the parking lots were full. It reminded me of attending an Ohio State football game in Columbus. Finally, after zigzagging back and forth on top of the city streets I stood in front of Wells Fargo Arena. It took 15 minutes just to purchase a ticket.

I had to sit on the top floor at the arena. The session I had chosen had wrestlers from Double A schools going head to head. The one fifty two weight class was already in action and there were twelve mats and 24 wrestlers in constant action. It was hard just to focus on any one match for a few seconds. I sat at the edge of my seat and was drawn to the take-downs, reversals, and one point stand-ups.

It had been 30 years since I had attended a high school wrestling meet. The last one I had participated in was in 1978. I was winning my match at districts beating a top Oak Harbor wrestler until near the end of the third period when he squeezed his head out of my tight headlock for a reversal and back points. I walked off that mat a loser and had never stepped on a mat ever again.

While the talented wrestlers mesmerized me with their amazing wrestling moves, I was also left saddened. I recalled the song that played the final day of my wrestling career: "All we are is dust in the wind."

What was constant as I watched each match from high on top of the arena was two wrestlers who came in with high expectations and a dream left to fulfill and what I saw - if a lesser skilled wrestler made it through the three periods without succumbing to a pin - was one hand raised high above and one wrestler who walked off the mat dejected with his head held low.

It took me many years to realize that wrestling was such a small part of my life. And what I learned from watching those Iowa wrestlers that afternoon is that there is a difference between developing a special skill and talent versus discovering your true gift and calling.

Because of the snow storm in Albia, I opted to play it safe and stay in Albia one additional night. I was to speak at North-Scott schools the week of February 16th but we pushed the date out until early May.

I've opted to spend the week in Ankeny because of its central location to schools in western Iowa I have to speak to the week of February 23rd. It was good I had this week off. I contacted a dreadful flu bug which has kept me up at nights with sniffles and a shivering fever. Only today have I left the comfort of my hotel den to explore Ankeny. Ankeny is one of the fastest growing schools districts in Iowa. I drove by their high school and the number of state titles appears on an enshrined pillar that I liken to the Sands in Las Vegas in terms of its eyecatching appeal. It must be intimidating for other schools that have to play on their home court to witness year after year of state titles as they drive into the school.

My worst nightmare came true in that I have lost my voice but it is slowly coming back. I'm drinking plenty of liquids and keeping the conversations down to a bare minimum.

Heartland Inns have offered me a hotel discount to help keep my expenses down so we can save money for the books we're giving away at Principal Park. When I tried speaking to the night clerk, a dull hum quacked from my throat, which was even to me unnerving.

I'm not much of a magician, so I am fortunate that I have been given this week off to heal a tired and sore throat.
Iowans are a hearty bunch who have welcomed me in. I am now more motivated to get back out on the circuit as you might suspect. This time for reflection/healing was needed. However, my drive to talk in front of these students never leaves me. It's time to get back out there and walk it off for the team.

We all know the economy continues to slide and schools are struggling just to survive. In the small community of Albia, the courthouse remains closed on Mondays due to the lack of state funds.

However, a group of middle school students led by Jill Crall sponsored fundraising events like "Kiss the Critter", etc. that raised enough money to purchase each junior high student The Day I Hit a Home Run at Principal Park. The students enjoyed the reading presentation and left me feeling humbled by their efforts to help their fellow students share in the gift of my book.

Albia is nearing its sesquicentennial, so I thought I'd take some needed time off and explore the center square. I stumbled across Merle Illingworth's Jewelers and Merle gave me a brief history of the town. He said that Albia means "High Plains" and that Albia is the only town with that name in the Rand McNally. In 1968, a committee was formed called the Albia Area Improvement Association with OJ Dewea serving as its president. Robert Bates who was a noted interior decorator for several Hollywood movie stars returned to Albia and left what was reported as nearly one million dollars to be used by the community to assist in restoration/community projects. Sonny Williams, owner of the Willaims Clothing Company and a prominent force in getting a factory to locate near Albia that re-builds locomotives, was also key in the 1968 restoration project.

Mr. Illingworth was proud of the fact that his store was located where the log structured courthouse was originally built. Inspired by the telling tale, I decided to walk the bustling streets where many of the shop owners were assisting customers with their Valentine's Day flowers/candies. The Albia Theatre was playing "Mall Cop", which left me saddened because a movie like that didn't seem to fit in such a quaint town.

I came across one of the store-front reading markers and was struck by the horrific event that happened in 1904. Edward Dougherty, furniture and undertaking store owner who'd established his business in 1873, lost his life while trying to put out the fire that happened on April 4, 1904. The great fire destroyed many of buildings and yet the town came together as a community to re-build its epic center.

Albia will leave a lasting impression within me. After my speech, a blinding snowstorm had already left an inch of ice/snow on my car windows. Mr. Schwarte, middle school principal, asked if I needed any help to clear the snow from my windows. Of course, I said, "No." I had a few things to retrieve from the building and when I returned to my car my windows were scraped clean.

When we hear things like "America's best years are behind her" that "the government needs a trillion dollars to revitalize our economy" I want you to think about Albia and a community that begs to differ by its strong alliance to remain a viable force. This is what I call a town filled with ordinary heroes that will find a way to support itself.

I spoke to K-8 students today at Cal in their auditorium. The speech started off exciting when I asked one of the K students what was his special dream? He said with much zeal, I want to raise a real live dinosaur . . . and then he proceeded to tell me how we would do this.

Then during our baseball skit, I asked a rather quiet adolescent if he'd like to be my umpire and he gave me a curious gaze. To break the ice, I asked him if he could say "Play ball" with authority. At the top of his voice he screamed, "PLAY BALL!" And then throughout the skit he continued screaming, "PLAY BALL!" I believe I found this young man's true calling . . . or possibly being a drill sergeant would serve him well.

Cal is a closeknit school district with all grades centered in one area. Mindy, who arranged my visit, only requested a 100 dollars worth of books from the 300 dollars worth of donations they received. She said I'd need the extra money and I certainly couldn't disagree with her when the average cost of a room is 65 to 75 dollars. If the weather was nicer, I'd prefer staying at an RV camp that only costs 17.50 a night. I just hate seeing so much money being spent on hotel expenses when we're trying to raise money for the books for the Principal Park book give away.

I am hoping as I travel across Iowa we'll find sponsors and good-hearted companies like ESPN who've offered us free hats to give away to deserved students. When children see corporations willing to spend hard-earned dollars on reading literacy they'll become more engaged in reading. We can ill afford to throw free books at children and expect them to read them. We need to start creating specialty events that will excite children to want to read and assure them that if a company like ESPN is willing to ante up for the cause then reading must be important.

The Iowa Book Tour has begun and what a way to send me off. I was able to speak at St. Thomas More and W.T. Elementary (home of the Bobcats). It had been 40 years since my last visit as an elementary student. At St. Thomas More, Peg Fischer, the school principal, allowed me to walk into my formal classroom and oddly enough the same familiar smells returned. I dedicated my speech to my mother and father who attended St. Thomas More Church from 1950-1970 and have regrettably passed on. Several of Mom's and Dad's friends were in attendance during my speech.

At W.T., I spoke in the gym where I remembered parading around in a clown's outfit for Halloween. W.T. Elementary was built in 1934 and it saddened me to hear that thhis would be the school's last year. A new school would open in 2010. Kathy Clark told me that the school was just too old to repair. Her daughter was in a classroom where the temperatures reached a 102 degrees, so I understood why a new school had to be built. Kathy gave me a tour of my old stomping grounds and I was able to show her Creepr's Pond. (Yes, Creeper's Pond survives!) Kathy told me that her brother played on my original WT Cardinals team and her father was one of our coaches. It just goes to prove that this is a small world where we share collectively in fond memories.

I arrived in Alleman, Iowa at three in the morning. I debated whether to get a hotel or sleep in Central's parking lot. Somehow I didn't think it would have gone over well if I was found sleeping in my car by the school's principal. I don't think this would have made a good impression. So I opted to find a hotel and then after three hours of sleep spoke to students at Central and West. Jamie Noack coordinated the speaking event and she gave me a tour of Polk City and its growing community. The students were very excited about my visit and their enhusiasm gave me the strength I needed to encourage them to live their dreams. I especially enjoyed speaking to the youngsters who had so many interesting dreams.

I am now in Dows, Iowa where the town's main street is barren, and yet rock 'n' roll music is piped through speakers witout a captive audience to listen to it. It is mid-February and I am now on my way to Latimer to Cal schools and what concerns me is Highway 35 has swing gates that can be used to close the highway. I sure hope the snow stays away.