I can’t let too much time go by since my visit to Iowa to discuss the value of corn! Since I have lived in the east, many people like to kid me about being “corn fed”. Actually, I don’t think Iowans eat any more corn than anyone, anywhere else. What I have noticed over the past few years is the increase in corn production. There seem to be more corn fields and fewer soybeans. The highest yield of corn goes for the production of ethanol which has increased in the last few years. The second largest distribution of corn goes into feeding livestock followed by exports, and the making of starch, corn oil, sweeteners, corn flour, grits, corn meal and beverage alcohol. As for human consumption….that is sweet corn, a different product.

The featured picture is “Stone City” by Grant Wood. I stayed just a couple of miles from there during my visit. If you look at the building to the right of the bridge, it is now a hip little restaurant which does a huge business on two levels and outside porches overlooking the river. Open mike nights pack the Sunday early evening agenda and the place is filled with people sampling the sumptuous food and drinks. If you are not familiar with Grant Wood, you should be. One of America’s most notable artists, he has painted one of the most tampered with paintings ever…..American Gothic.