January -- Where'd you go?

Today is the last day of January -- one-twelfth of 2013 has passed so quickly, and at my age I prefer time to move slowly.  Tomorrow  has us sliding into February, the middle month of winter.  Often this is when we have the worst and coldest weather but the last several years our weather has been mostly mild.

February, no matter how icy and nasty it might be,  can be the time gardeners begin to itch to get started. Some scratch that itch by reading seed catalogs, something I  once did but have been off the catalog lists for a long time. That doesn't mean I'm not dreaming of having a garden this year.  I accept my limitations but I can drop seeds and set out plants if I can get someone to till my garden.

When I was a kid on the farm we were always able to get Irish potatoes in the ground by Valentine's day. Some days after I was home from school I would clean the chicken house and spread the manure over the garden.  Onions plants could be set out in February and English peas could be planted if the ground wasn't too wet.  Early planted took the risk of frost, and I remember dad  pouring warm water on peas after a light snow and ice hit in April.

Yes, February can be bad but it is not too early to plan vegetable and flower gardens.

Boost economy by developing energy

When Obama threatens action that will weaken the nation's defense, make us less energy sufficient, cause a loss of jobs -- or a combination  of all three -- you can take him at his word. When he said he intends to eliminate all coal fired electric generating plants, he was determined to do so.

His latest victim is the power plant that was to be erected at Corpus Christi, Tx.  The company planning the plant  has  given up, citing the ever increasing regulations of the EPA.  In addition to making that area vulnerable to brown outs and black outs,  it is costing 3900 jobs.

While the fossil fuel energy is being treated as an enemy, taxpayer money continues to flow to so-called "green" energy companies.  Thirty-four companies supported by taxpayers have filed for bankruptcy or are otherwise failing.

The president continues to refuse to allow Canada to build the Keystone pipeline, which would make our energy supply more stable and create thousands of jobs.  Developing our bountiful energy could go a long way to boosting our economy and providing much needed jobs.  An example of what developing energy resources could do  is North Dakota whose booming economy based on energy  forces Walmart to pay a starting salary of $17 an hour.

My flying fish story

Pastor Tom Howe has two small grandchildren visiting this weekend and took them fishing    Saturday.  They enjoyed themselves although they were disappointed not to see bears, lions and tigers in the woods.

It brought back to mind what I remember as my first fishing trip.  We were celebrating July Fourth .with a family outing  on Bayou Dorcheat.  Dad had entrusted me to a cousin who was several years older and an experienced fisherman.  I don't remember but my cousin had probably baited my hook and placed me where he was confidant I could catch a fish.

And catch a fish I did.  I saw the cork go under and move away.  I jerked my pole out of the water and whipped fish, line and cork over my head up into a big tree. We managed to get the fish to the ground and I proudly displayed my goggle eye perch.

By the time we were called to lunch I was ready for more excitement.  I baited the hook and stuck the pole into the bank, hoping to find a fish when I returned.  Imagine my joy when I got back and found the line stretched tight,  indicating I had made a catch. Now an expert, I   brought the catch straight into the bank, only to drop it  and run from the cotton mouth moccasin caught on the hook.

Our 40th wedding anniversary

Jen and I  want to thank our "children" for the flowers on the church altar this morning in recognition of our 40th wedding anniversary.

Cars to race in Pinewood Derby

Cub Scouts rate it up there with advancement and awards and camping trips -- the Pinewood Derby.  They will be able to display their colorful cars and race them several times Saturday.  Registration together with weighing and measuring will be accomplished this evening,  which will reduce the confusion -- but not the excitement -- Saturday morning.  Their families will be there to cheer them on and eat hot dogs.

I haven't had the hassle of helping a Cub build a car in a number of  years, but I miss the fun a little. Looking back, I estimate that I have built just a few less cars than Chevy has sold Volts.  Most years I was called on to build two, starting when my twin boys were six years old and in Indian Guides.  I had one free year, one where I worked on one car, and than it was back to two for my two youngest boys.

A grandson will be entering a car for the third year.  That has been his dad's responsibility, and they have built, painted and  decorated a car, even provided it with a driver.  Next, we'll see how fast it runs.  The cars will race several times, being clocked by an electronic timer, which was delivered Wednesday.

Our fortieth anniversary

Forget your wedding anniversary and you are in more trouble with your wife than if you forget her birthday.  No, I haven't been guilty of that  but it is possible because I have no reason to know the day of the week or the month and am without transportation most of the time.

Sunday, January 27, will mark our fortieth wedding anniversary.  To make sure, I dragged out the photo book of the ceremony and there it was on the first page, January 27, 1973.  So two days early, I wish my wife, Jen, a happy anniversary and thank her for standing by my side for 40 years.

What now, Obamacare

Well, we have survived the hoopla of Obama's second coming, his inauguration.  I was concerned that my stomach was not strong enough to watch the event on television, joining the majority of Americans who preferred to watch something else.

The beginning of 2013 brings with it much of the effects of Obamacare, including higher costs of health insurance and poorer medical care.  Coverage of pre-existing conditions appears noble but it brings with it this question, "Why buy insurance before you need it?"  We probably won't have to wait long before we begin to see how that plays out.