Archive for January 2011

The time has come to change Groundhog Day to Woodchuck Day, which is celebrated every year on February 2. The popular myth is that if the woodchuck sees its shadow on the second, warm, sunny days will follow. And if the woodchuck does not see its shadow, it will freeze to death. Should have stayed…

Steve was our local veterinarian. He lived on the Woodard Farm on Woodard Road, a 100-yard stretch of dirt that ends at the milk house. Waterbury has always been his home. Steve Woodard’s memorial service was held at Harwood high school’s auditorium. The 600 seats were full and there was standing room only in the…

I recently purchased 20 pounds of  True Value Wild Bird Seed. It was inexpensive, about $4.50 a bag. The mix is mostly the color of corn, with small seeds, yellow chips and a scattering of  sunflower.  It is fortified with calcium carbonate, vitamin A and D3 supplement. The bag states that the product is 8% protein, 3% fat,…

I hear that often and I think that sometimes people are wondering whether I am pulling a General MacArthur. Remember his speech to Congress in 1951 after President Truman canned him? ….”Old soldiers never die, they just fade away…”  He was quoting from an old ballad, and referring to the end of his career. Well…

The era of skinny wallets is demanding many of us cook alone at home. I do, and because of that thin wallet and my fat middle, I stir  up slimming  stews and soups. My style of cooking is sort of … ummm…creative.  The end product depends upon what is, and is not, in the refrigerator…

Today, January 6, 2011, is my 77th birthday. I was born in the Doctor’s Hospital in New York City at 1:45 AM — a Capricorn with Scorpio rising and the moon in Pluto.  I don’t know what to say about astrology now that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet. I assume that means…

No doubt about it, 2010 was a hangdog of a depressing year for myself and friends (I don’t know any hedge fund managers or bail-out executives) but this fall I encountered a scenario that gave me hope for our future and spread a happy smile on my face. I and Kyle, my assistant.  were in…