Before I get into the title of this entry, let me just congratulate Beverly Paquin, an IOWAN who, at age 22, managed to run a marathon in each of the 50 states, plus D.C., the youngest person to ever do so. This was back in 2010. I'd love to meet her. Super-proud that she comes from my state. Let's hope that the next person to break her record is also Iowan, like perhaps a little homeschooled girl who tags along with her parents and completes the challenge at the age of 8. Boom. Good luck to anyone who wants to beet that record! It hasn't happened, but it's going to, because Iowa is the best.

I'm also proud of Peggy Whitson, whom I may have mentioned before as the astronaut from Iowa who has spent more time in space than any Iowan, and any American period. We're on our way to producing James T. Kirk. Only 215 years to go.

Oh yeah, speaking of which, today is Captain Kirk's -215th birthday. Or is it an Unbirthday? Either way, congratulations.

All of these things might someday make it into my proposed song to replace the current, dull state anthem. Until then, it's worth nothing that our current anthem also shares the same tune as Michael Phelps's state's anthem.