Lifestyle

In Dad and Grandpa McNew’s country pool hall, the old timer’s they called the front bench regulars were the same age then that I am now. I recognize the similarities in them that I now figure is normal for me and others in their seventies. Out of 15 or 20 of those men who fit into the category of ‘old-timers’, there were men who still coon-hunted, trapped and paddled down the piney. Then there were some who could have but didn’t. That was a puzzlement for me, a thirteen-yearold kid back then who always wanted to and could have but had the problem of what Dad would allow. I didn’t always have enough money either when it came to buying ammo, and many of the old timers had that problem too. And of course, there were those who would have been out in the woods or on the river as they had always been, but age gave them a bad back or a ruined knee or an ‘ol lady’ who wouldn’t let them waste the money.

As we look to clean up leaves, twigs, dried up plants, etc. common this time of year. Instead of throwing away the debris, there’s a crafty alternative: build a pollinator nest. Some gardeners toss twigs, thatch and branches at the end of fall to prepare for winter. But those dry plant materials are where some pollinator species — such as bees, butterflies, wasps, flies and beetles — hibernate through the winter to emerge next spring. And now ― as plants dry out, stems harden, and temperatures drop ― is the perfect time to gather this hollow material pollinators love.

With Election Day just around the corner (next Tuesday, November 8, to be exact), I was reminded of another election night many, many years ago. Don’t worry, this is in no way political (although if you know me, you know I am a political creature).

It continues to be busy around Have a Heart Pet Shelter. Along with several adoptions, both locally and out-of-state, we had a great time visiting with folks at our Turkey Trot booth and soon we will be gearing up for our Annual Soup and Chili Supper (with a cake and pie auction) planned for November 19.

I think most people have a favorite holiday. Based on a very unscientific poll (meaning it’s my best guess), I would venture to say Christmas comes in first on the list of favorite holidays. My Mom loved pretty much every holiday but, as the first graders she taught in the later years of her career will attest, Saint Patrick’s Day had to have been right at the top of her list. For me, it has always been Halloween, so this time of year makes me smile.