Well, we survived another political season. Now it's on to the 2012 race, which should be in the planning stages. Sad, but true.

Some random thoughts have been going through my mind lately, and I thought I'd share a few of them with you, with your kind indulgence, gentle reader.

Halloween. What a beautiful night for trick-or-treating! We were fairly busy at our home with beggars, and I saw some clever costumes that were made from common items found around the house. The excitement of the smaller children is quite contagious. But I fear we are killing this once proud night. More often than not, when I opened the door, I was greeted with silent stares. Here's a hint: when the door opens, that's when you (the trick-or-treaters) shout "trick-or-treat" as loud as you can, hopefully startling the folks like me.

It's a friendly thing. You shout, we act astonished or scared, and give out with the candy. The blank stares just don't cut it, I'm afraid.

Several children, after being prompted like actors with stage fright, were able to eek out a "trick-or-treat" and some even managed a "thank you," which is always in season. One young lady even wished me a "Happy Halloween" which I was grateful for.

Getting candy is a privilege, not a right. Work with us, and it will be more fun for everyone.

Boy, that sounded like a "grumpy old man" comment, didn't it?

Elections - Let's hear it for absentee voting! By all indications, a great success in Plymouth County. Giving people an opportunity to vote when it is convenient for them hopefully encouraged more people to do their duty and vote. I voted absentee, and it was a very easy thing to do. The folks at the auditor's office handled a stressful situation quite well.

Baptism - Our granddaughter will be baptized at the same church her mother was christened this weekend. It will be their second trip to Iowa and we will be glad to see the extended family. In my parents' day and age, families lived in the same town, and in some cases the same house. As times have changed, our society has become more mobile and the ties that bind get stretched over some pretty long distances. Often, too often, the only events that extended family gather for are funerals.

It's nice to gather for a happy occasion.

Weather - Who would have guessed that it would be nearly 80º during the first week in November? Not that I'm complaining, but these unnaturally warm days are quite nice, but to me it seems like waiting for the other shoe to drop. For every lovely day we get now, I'm sure we will be punished with a cold, snowy day in the Spring. There is no free lunch, and as sure as the warm sun shines in November, there's an ice cold hammer waiting in March to even out the score.

Mail decision - The announcement this week that the United States Postal Service has decided not to implement proposed changes in the mail processing center in Sioux City is big news. This is a classic case of a victory for the little guys. Moving mail processing to Sioux Falls, SD would have been an unmitigated disaster for everyone in Northwest Iowa. Hats off to everyone who wrote their congressman or senator, attended one of the public meetings on the issue and those that kept asking questions.

I honestly believe the brass at the USPS thought that we would go along quietly, allowing them to degrade mail delivery in Northwest Iowa. Talk about running into a buzzsaw!

Mail service is something that we all take for granted, thinking that it is like a utility, always there at the turn of a faucet or flip of a switch. It doesn't work that way, folks.

Those are some of the random thoughts that have been running through my mind this past week. Thanks for your indulgence.

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@lemarscomm.net, telephone 712-546-7031, x40 or toll free 1-800-728-0066 x40.

Thanks for reading, I'll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.