Hello once again my friends and a happy July.
It has been a long time since last we met, but what better time to get reacquainted than the month of our countries Independence Celebration.
I know of people that do not know the reason we celebrate Independence Day on the fourth of July, reasoning that it is just an arbitrary day we chose to use.
Following is a quick bit of history:
- Independence Day commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
- On July 8, 1776 the first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square to the ringing of bells and band music.
- One year later, on July 4, 1777, Philadelphia marked Independence Day by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells and fireworks. And this tradition continues to this day.
I am planning to spend some time with family at our annual Stutesman Reunion to celebrate the continuation of our great country.
I would ask that you please use fireworks responsibly. Nothing could ruin a holiday more than a personal injury or fire.
My wife, Kim, and I took a day trip to the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge last month. We packed a picnic lunch and made a day of it. We picnicked in the car as we watched the wildlife because getting out tends to scare the birds.
The water levels were down a bit, but we still had a nice time watching the birds. We started out seeing a few Yellow Warblers which is always a treat.
Once we got to the flooded part we saw a lot of Coots, White Pelicans and two Black Crowned Night Herons among several types of ducks some geese and lots of herons and egrets.
My birds at home have been busy keeping the yard free of ticks and other bugs. We have had a couple ticks only this year but the wave of Gypsy Moths have more than made up for them.
I know that a lot of people wanted to be sprayed to stop the Gypsy Moths but I for one am against that method of control. We have several birds that can and do eat them. Cuckoos, Blue Jays and Eastern Towhees are just a few. Also, my sister’s chickens are eating them as fast as they drop from the trees. I have also watched the Cow Birds and Starlings eating them in my yard.
Many of you know that I was hospitalized with Covid for a while. I have gotten better and have stopped using oxygen regularly but still have a long way to get back to where I was physically. I wish to thank all of you that prayed for my recovery. It’s only through God’s grace that I made it home.
That’s all for this month. I hope that we all have a safe holiday and remember to please help keep our woods and water clean.
