Rock River
Three local Pro-Anglers (?) Gary Dahlquist, Geneseo, Tom Simpson, Colona, and myself boarded Tom’s battleship last week in search of channel cats. The Rock was still high and the current fast. Our ammunition was stink bait and dew worms. After 4 or 5 hours the best we could show for our effort was 5 small channels. Next time we drop anchor the water level will be back to normal. Speaking of anchors, we lost one on this trip. Through the years I’ve lost a few anchors myself. Sometimes an anchor gets so hung up you just have to cut the anchor rope. Oh well, it was a beautiful day and we had a good time.
Luke Dauw
Brag time via Grandpa Dauw. This baseball kid, Luke, is good and I mean really “good!” Last weekend we went down to St. Louis to visit our son, Lance, and his kids. Of course, we had to see one of Luke’s baseball games. His St. Louis “Tigers” are at the top of their division and rightly so. The game we saw was a victory for them, 7 to 1. He loves pitching and playing first base. He’s super at both positions. His coaches told our son, “The your kid is really good!” Ditto!!!
Tomatoes
Okay, maybe I went a tad too far in the number of tomato plants we planted this spring (50). Last year the number was 40. Some died, but we had plenty for ourselves, friends and neighbors. I don’t know why the yellow, bite size tomatoes are so hard to find. The cherry size ones are plentiful, but we like the yellow-colored ones better.
Tomato Tips
We’re not experts, but here are some good tips we’ve read about on growing tomatoes. 1) Don’t plant the plants to close together. About 3 feet spaced apart. 2) Be careful with the fertilizer. Use a slow-release fertilizer. Fast-release types promotes leaf and stem growth and not fruit. 3) Sun! Make sure they get plenty of it. 4) Sometimes a little pruning is a good thing. In the early stages of development, trim away the “suckers.” 5) Lastly, try to plant your tomatoes in a different part of the garden. Tomatoes suck up a lot of nutrients.
Masked Bandit
Every time I think I’ve outwitted Mr. Racoon by keeping them away from our bird feeders, it figures away to climb the deck and chow down. They also do a “poop” number on both decks. Last week it climbed the Shepherds hook that I had high ‘n dry and holding a special feeder just for orioles. It fed itself on oranges and grape jelly. On another Shepherds hook I put Vaseline and so far that has worked. It must not like the stuff on their grimy paws! Sorry, dude!
Poison Ivy
We have it in our woods and along our split-rail fence. We spray to kill it, but it manages to get Lorna more than myself. Not sure why that is? The plant is covered with some type of invisible sap. About three out of ten people do not feel itchy when in contact with the plant. Now, if you were a possum you’d have it made. Poison ivy does not bother possums.
Coyotes
Don’t try to outrun this cagey canine. Some coyotes have been clocked at 43 m.p.h. As for us humans, we can reach speeds of about 27 m.p.h.
Humor
1) What goes up when the rain comes down? An umbrella! 2) What did the big chimney say to the little chimney? You’re too young to smoke! 3) How does an Eskimo build his house? Igloos it together. 4) Lana: “Grandad, can you make a noise like a frog?” Grandad: “Why do you ask?” Lana: “Because Dad says when you croak we’re all going to Disney World.” 5) What did the bald man say when he was given a comb for his birthday? “I will never part with it!”