Pedley's Ponderings

Here we are in 2023. While I used to be an optimist with each New Year, the sands of time have somewhat smudged my perspective. Nowadays, I just assume everything will be more of the same regardless of the calendar’s numbers.

Nonetheless, I do still pine for better things each New Year. I don’t make resolutions anymore, because I’ve found that I lack the constitution for them. However, I do have hopes for 2023, and you can read about them below.

I hope Hartley finds some luck in 2023.

The City With a Heart was brimming with pent up optimism last year as our new pool was slated to open in June. Alas, those dreams were sent swirling down the toilet thanks to a failed safety inspection. Now, we all wait for a solution.

Fingers crossed one will come this year. We have a beautiful hole in the ground, and it would be awesome if the community could use what it paid for.

I hope I find some gumption in 2023.

Look, 2022 was exhausting for yours truly. Not only did I take on the role as advertising manager here at the Sentinel-News, but my family moved from Ocheyedan to Hartley in late summer.

Moving stinks. I had zero desire to do much of anything once we were finally here, but there’s plenty to do around our new place once snow melts. With the right balance of ambition and nagging from my wife, I think I’ll muster up the motivation to do great things this year...at least enough to keep her off my back, anyways.

I hope to be less fat in 2023.

The onslaught of fatherhood and other obligations has turned me into a bit of a slug over the past six years. With more than a half a decade of excuses under my belt, it’s high time I stop being such a stain.

According to what I read on the internet, curbing unrealistic expectations is key to accomplishing goals. Thusly, I vow to not buy a gym membership this year. Instead, I hope to take baby steps in being less fat, and that starts with less snacking, drinking and sitting on my butt.

We all must sacrifice in this life, and I’ll put on a brave face and do my best in 2023.

I hope Iowa finds an offense in 2023.

Avid readers of the Sentinel-News are probably sick of me writing about the Hawkeye football team’s dismal offense. Well guess what? I’m gonna do it again.

The Black and Gold were unbearable to watch when they had the ball in 2021. Like an idiot, I thought there was no way they could be worse in 2022. It’s OK to accept when you’re wrong sometimes.

Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who is the laughingstock of college football, still has a job. It’s a miracle what nepotism can get you in this world, and that’s coming from a guy whose mom signs his paychecks.

Iowa has made moves in the transfer portal this winter. That’s generated some cautious optimism among Hawkeye fans as they look to the 2023 season. I won’t buy into the hype until it translates to something tangible, and anyone who’s betting on the Ferentz Mafia to change is a fool.

Realistically, I just hope the Hawks don’t have to rely on their defense to score points to win games this fall. Is that too much to ask?

I hope these old things hold together.

I own a snow blower from the 1970s, a lawn mower from the early 2000s, a Buick Century from 2004 and a Chevy S-10 from 2000. I’m no collector – I’m just cheap.

I bought all these things from my grandparents. All of them run fine, which is a testament to my grandparents and not me. I’ve unknowingly tried to kill the snow blower at least three times, but it lives on just to spite me. My neighbors no doubt laugh every time they watch me move snow.

Still, I do love these old things. My wife has the “nice” vehicle between the two of us – a 2015 Ford Explorer – and I have no qualms about cruising in my grandma’s old car. Here’s to hoping the ol’ Buick sees her 20th birthday in 2024.

The snow blower on the other hand, well, let’s just say every remaining day I have with it is a “blessing.”

I hope my wife stops it with all of these plants.

Call me old fashioned, but I believe plants belong on the outside of the house and not inside. My wife wholeheartedly disagrees.

There are so many plants in my house that I can’t believe it. Once she inevitably kills one, it seems two others appear in its place. I can’t even shut the shade in my office window anymore because there are plants on the sill. This is dumb.

My wife claims she doesn’t kill them. The evidence points against her, because I’ve seen more pots filled with lifeless brown leaves over the past three years than I can count.

She names all of her plants, too, which makes this somehow more ridiculous. Even the kids call the plants by their names. I’m starting to think I’m the crazy one here.

I hope you have a great 2023.

We never know what the New Year will bring here at the paper, but we’re glad to have you along with us.

Here’s to hoping you and yours have a wonderful 365 days ahead.

Nick Pedley is the news editor and ad manager at The Hartley Sentinel/The Everly-Royal News.