For the Birds - By Dan Dauw

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

Missed Last Week

   This past week was so busy I just didn’t find the time to bang on the keys for a “dandy” column!!! At the end of this week I will be heading for Canada for a week of fishing with some buddies. As of now it’s been pretty cold in northern Ontario, but it sounds like Bluffy Lake is clear of ice.
As of a week ago there was snow on the ground. Because of a cancellation, we will have two large cabins with plenty of room. I guess we will need to take winter garb!!!!

 Bishop Hill Civil War Day

   This event was held on Saturday, May 16, at Bishop Hill, IL.  It was very successful with hundreds of visitors from many local towns. The 57th Illinois Volunteers, Company D, had a living history encampment, a skirmish, exhibits and more. I gave two presentations on the Civil War in the morning and afternoon.  It was held in the Military Room in the Henry County Historical Museum. It was a beautiful day and we hope the merchants did well, too!

 For the Birds

   We’ve been going through a ton of birdseed, suet, sugar water and grape jelly, “but” it’s all been worth it.  Farm & Fleet has to like me.  One of my favorite birds is the red-headed woodpecker. One day Lorna saw 3 of them at the bird feeder.
I hope through the summer we can keep the Baltimore Orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks. We are only getting one hummingbird and not often.
We have flowers in pots that hummingbirds like. It does not seem to like the sugar water for some reason? There has never been that problem in the past. 

 Fishing the Rock

   Myself and two friends fished the Rock River last Friday. We were going after channel cats. The river level is falling, but it was still high. We tried different stink baits, but nothing worked. The gnats were a problem. Anyway, after a few hours we called it quits. We’ll try another day. 

Flowers

   I think we spent the most $$$ this spring on outdoor plants. We are both flower nuts, to say the least.  We planted 24 tomato plants. We give many away.
The deer, raccoon and squirrels are a problem. At night the raccoon(s) leave their “calling card” on our decks.  

 Don ‘n Barb

  It was nice visiting with friends, Don and Barb Morrison from North Carolina. We go way back. Around when the earth was cooling. They used to live in Moline. Wish they still lived around here…..Ha-Ha! Well, Barb for sure!!!!!!

 Humor

  I tripped and dropped a laundry basket full of freshly ironed clothes. I watched all unfold.  Which bird is in need of a wig? Ans: A bald eagle.

Why can’t you book a hotel on the moon? Ans: Because it’s full.

If you would like your infant to grow up as a race-car driver feed him Formula One. 

Quote

   “Fear always springs from ignorance.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It Looked More Like a Joy Ride

By Dan Dauw
Geneseo Current

Sports

   It was nice watching the NFL, college basketball and football. I’m not a big baseball fan unless the Cubs are playing, but most of their games are on the Marquee network which I’m not paying for. The same goes for the Peacock network when it comes to the NFL games.   I guess I’m used to watching ‘da Bears and Cub games “free!”  I hope Iowa State, Illinois State and, of course, Notre Dame, do well this fall. Speaking of ND, their women’s and men’s basketball teams play Villanova on Sunday, November 1.
The games will be played in Rome, Italy. Wonder if the Pope will be there?  If so, he will see one of the best guards on the hardwoods, that being guard, Hannah Hidalgo.
The games have been named “The Eternal City Tip-Off.” Unrelated, but November 1st ends Daylight Savings Time. I wish it’d end permanently. 

 Hummers Here Yet?

  I read recently that now is the time to hangout your hummingbird feeder(s). Supposedly to the article I read, male hummers start migrating to our area in about 1 to 2 weeks ahead of the lady hummers.
The male looks for a suitable place to nest in hopes the female feels the same way.  I took the experts’ advice, but so far I haven’t seen any of the little guys.
I also hung out a Baltimore Oriole feeder with grape jelly and a half orange. Do wish they’d stick around longer, but a few weeks seems about as long as they want to stay at our place. 

 Artemis II

   I think this venture around the moon was awesome. I know I’m wrong, but sometimes it looked more like a joy ride.  I just never heard much about what sort of experiments were performed and believe me, we watched a lot of TV news coverage. After having said that, it still was an amazing feat, that’s for sure.
I think I saw a McDonald’s on the dark side of the moon. At 25,000 mph I might have been mistaken.

76 – 81

  I read recently that the average age length for a male is 76 and for a female it’s 81. Ha! If we are talking married life, I suppose the good Lord wants to give females some extra years of peace ‘n quiet.  At 83 I guess I’m pushing the odds.  

Humor

  Dale Collis recently took a firefighting course at the Galva Fire Station. The Fire Chief asked Dale, “ What if your clothes were on fire?” Dale said, “Well, I wouldn’t put them on!” 

Quote

  “Baseball is too much of a sport to be called a business, and too much of a business to be called a sport.”  -  Philip K. Wrigley