Health
I recently visited my doctor and I asked if he had many patients because of the flu and colds. Dumb question on my part. He said it has been almost unbelievable the number of patients he has treated in the past few weeks. He wears a mask. Lorna and I are up-to-date with all our vaccinations. Make sure you wash your hands more than usual and if possible, avoid crowds.
Ice Fishing
With a poor sense of balance and difficult walking I give up on ice fishing. Last year I only got out once on the frozen water. From here on I’ll stick with the soft water fishing.
Deer Me
Bob Mays told me a week or so ago that he left his home at Richmond Hill when he counted 8 whitetail deer not far from his place. He showed me the “herd” on his iphone. They probably know they are in a safe area.
New Year’s Eve
We always celebrate by going to The Cellar at 5 p.m. We share the evening with Lorna’s sister and another friend. Here is a tip I’ve done for reservations. I always leave a note requesting a reservation for the following year, in this case, 2027.
The food there is so good as is the service. Lorna goes with the ribs and for myself, it’s the shrimp and wild rice.
Old Farmer’s 2026 Almanac
I’m not too sure I buy into some of the Almanac’s context, but because we live in an AG part of the country, here are some farm related facts as of 2022.
1) There are 1,900,487 farms in the U.S.
2) The average size of a farm is 463 acres.
3) 880.1 million acres of land are being farmed.
4) The average age of a new farmer is 47.1.
5) 54% of farmers are feeling more optimistic than the year before.
Bounty on Carp
Like some other states, the Illinois DNR is looking into offering a $100.00 reward for each invasive black carp caught. Besides Illinois, a total of 26 state agencies from Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee are either looking into the bounty system or have already implemented the program.
U.S.P.S.
There sure has been a lot of changes, good or bad with the Postal Service since I left during the earth’s cooling off period.
Back then for a one once letter, postage was 4 cents. It’s now 78 cents for a forever stamp. Still, I think a first class stamp is reasonable.
Water Safe
That depends on what part of the country you’re in, but Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and almost all states share their concern. The problem is nitrate pollution and it is a crisis.
If you have a well or you are on a community well, make sure to have your water tested yearly. Nitrate and phosphorus pollution is a very dangerous threat to not just we humans, but to animals and the environment. At our home we have two types of water filters. In short, we all deserve clean and safe water!!!
Feed ‘da Birds
No snow on the ground as I type this column, but who knows what Mother Nature has on her mind for the rest of winter. Having said that it is still important to feed the birds.
At our two feeders we get two pair of cardinals, one pair of red-bellied woodpeckers, 3 downy woodpeckers, two black-capped chickadees, one or two tufted titmouse , two white-breasted nuthatchs and 5 or 6 field sparrows. A black squirrel is not a optional!!!
Humor
How did the famous scientist, Don Morrison, invent bug spray? Ans: He started from scratch!
Next week we start “Diarrhea Awareness Month.” It runs until Friday.
Quote
“Art is nothing more than the shadow of humanity.” - Henry James