Here’s hoping that most of you had a quiet, enjoyable Holiday on Monday. Celebrating Columbus Day seemed a lot more exciting when we were in the 3rd grade than it does now-days. Mrs. Stroble had a way of making a lot of things more exciting and/or interesting. I will also admit that quite a number of things seemed more interesting to a 9 yr. old than do so many things in this day & time. It seems sort of sad that so many of those things we were in awe of as a child appear so matter of fact now. One might suppose that the advance in communications has a lot to do with that. Back then very few folks had televisions and most of the news of happenings in far away places came via radio or newspapers & magazines. There are a lot of people that still subscribe to those time honored avenues of News. What with all the kids turning to T.V. or the computer, one wonders how long it might be ‘til we have a segment of our population that will have a hard time reading the written word.

Our fair Valley of the Pecan came close to getting some rain on Columbus day. It drizzled or misted most of the morning, with reports of some areas around Richland & Algerita actually receiving raindrops. I visited with Mackie McKinnerney & his Mom out in the parking lot of the Grocery store yesterday and while talking of Quail, Lakeview, and such, he told me of the rain up that way. We both agreed that a good rain is sorely needed as some folks have been having to haul stock water as Richland Creek has just about dried plumb up. If you’ve never had the experience of hauling water to livestock, you really have little idea of just how much a cow can drink until you have to start hauling it to them.

A number of folks that write, whether it be books, news articles, or columns such as this, often give advice on how to do something or situation reports on various aspects of cultural practices around the farm, ranch, or yard & garden. If you happen to recall, there has been mention in a couple of articles this past month or so pertaining to fertilization in the fields, orchard, yard or garden. Then a few days back, I see in the “Angelo Standard Times” that John Begnaud is urging folks to get their Fall fertilization down for the lawn, ornamentals, and orchards right away. He also added that since ol’ Jack Frost might be a month away, there is still time to get it incorporated and allow those plants, trees and shrubs put down some root reserve before ol’ Man Winter sets in. Makes one feel a bit better when an expert from over a hundred miles away agrees with you. If you’re in doubt as to what analysis to use, ask W.D. or Riggs, but a complete is a better bet for Fall Fertilization. If that still has you stumped, then go with one that has material in all three categories of elements, N, P, & K.

Here we are, in the middle of October, & there has been virtually no Pecan harvesting as of yet. Seems like what few trees have some nuts on them are somewhat reluctant to give them up. What few pecans we had over in Daddy’s orchard have long since been harvested by the squirrels. The pesky lil’ rascals seem sort of cute, but I think that O.P. Leonard and R.B. Bagley had the right idea in trying to rid the bottoms & orchards of the bushy tails. We would have had just enough on a few trees for some show sample of the County Pecan Show and now they are history. I’m usually urging folks to go ahead and pick their show sample off the trees at first ripening, so it would be wise to get it done if you want anything left to enter.

While penning my outline for the article a few days back, I had put football on the first line. Well, forget that. Anyhow, it was nice for Jarvis , Will, Mildred, & Tony Kirk that the Horns did so well at the State Fair. I don’t think the Sooners were too happy with the outcome, though. Bumpy Amthor, Dr. George T., Richard Barker, & yrs. Truly are heartened by the fact of the Aggies not losing by quite as much as the week prior. Sports hasn’t been very kind to me as of late, & even the Dodgers are having a rough time. You know, a lot of things seem a bit more difficult with advancing age, even out around —Harkeyville!!!!!!!!