When I first began this article, it was before the ìSuperbowlî. Now that the Patriots have won, it just gives me more to reflect on. We are a truly blessed nation, state, society and people. We live in a time and place of extensive prosperity. Iím not saying that we have it on easy street, but if I remember my history correctly there has never been a time or place where individuals have had so much. We do have so much materially that, to me it is important to remember the things that really makes us/I rich. Most of us are fortunate enough to have loving families to spend ìquality time with. Many of us understand we are blessed to be loved by our creator, and to have compassion for others. Personally, I believe that we are all loved so. However not everyone shares my beliefís. I know Iím a very rich man. I have life very good. Yea I could use a bit more of that green grease to ease some of the finances, but life is not all about money. I have a very loving and supportive young wife and family. We are able to pay the bills and afford a few extras. I have a career that to me is to die for, and my wife also works in her chosen field enjoying what she does. Wildlife in the state and in a fair part of the nation is at an all time high. In addition the only team that I bother to follow just won itís third world championship. Iíve followed them since the drafted Jim Plunkett, and have seen to much buffoonery in the past not to be elated about the present state of affairs in Patriots nation. So those are just some of the reasons that I know that Iím a rich man. Yea, I know. Some of you are asking, & what cloud does this guy live on. In this day and age, I see in all forms of media to much negative perspective. Not that I donít have some also. However, I get real tired of hearing and seeing all the negative. So I decided a while ago in my life that I was going to try and have a more positive outlook on things. It is very easy to complain about things. To easy. So I am going to try and do it differently. If you know me at all you will know that is a classic move on my part. I like to be my own person and have my own views of things. I LIKE TO THINK FOR MYSELF. Not what someone tells me I should think. Since life begins at forty, & I am comfortable with who I am, my attitude is I am who I am and you can take me or not for who I am, & I donít really give a royal rootin tootin, which way you go with it. Any way on to the subject at hand.

Well first off what are ìdoldrumsî ? Since I cant find my 50 year old dictionary that I had when I was in school I must turn to my daughters trusty Readerís Digest version of the ìMiriam Webster Dictionaryî. Boy this thing is in good shape. Not torn & tattered. Very modern looking, high tech. even. In here it defines ìdoldrumsî as a ìspell of listlessness or despondencyî.

Well that does not seem to be an accurate discretion of the attitude that sometimes prevails at this time of year. It goes on to say ì a state or period of inactivity, stagnation or slumpî. Still does not sound like it accurately describes where Iím at, at this time of year, but it may be a bit closer. I would have to say that for me winter is somewhat a time of rest & recharging my batteries. Heaven knows they need recharging. Although this winter I have been very busy, but mostly on domestic items that need my attention now because when the spring comes I will go from a standing start, to full speed in on leap. With no time, for building up to speed. We have had two elderly relatives in and out of the hospital in the Concord area, which has taken up a great deal of time. So much so, that in order to be fair to two boards I am on I have had to relinquish my seat on each. That is only right, for my responsibility to those organizations. They deserve to have people on them that can devote the time, effort, commitment, and responsibility needed.

Iíve been working on the house getting several projects done that have languished for too long and am now just starting to get to work on the wood pile for next year. There is an old saying ì wood warms you twiceî. It is supposed to mean when you cut and spit it, and again when you burn it. However, I question that statement, as it seems to me that it actually warms you three, four, five, six or more times when you also add moving it into the house and stacking there. Wood is indeed an lot of work as a way to heat the house. However, to me it is a very satisfying way to heat. One I like the physicality of the work. Two I like the fact that it is a renewable resource & to help our wood lots and forest healthy and productive, harvesting firewood can be part of a very important piece of a management plan. Also it keeps the actually forest healthy by helping to vary specie and age of a forest population. The easiest way for a pathogen to attack a forest or wood lot is for it to be homogenous in itís make up. In other words mostly the same age and species. Man is great at creating this scenario where intensive replanting of all like kind & age of species occurs. That way insects or disease can easily spread from one tree to the next. In addition, when you have a homogeneous forest it is most productive in a positive manner to only one species. ìMan.î Appearing to be of good economics for man, but I question that, because once this artificial environment has been created it takes a very intensive management practice to keep it ìhealthyî. By spraying pesticides etc. The way God designed nature was with variety. It takes a tremendous array of biodiversity to keep a forest healthy and productive. The more diverse a forest is the greater the habitat needs are met for a wider aspect of our environment. In addition. A dominant overstory is virtually a biological desert. Implementation of a well thought out plan help to keep the forest productive for many, mammals, birds, amphibians, etc. is a benefit for all including ìmanî. Forest management practices such as Silverculture have been developed to enhance these values. In other word a well thought out forest management plan keeps thing interesting for when we wish to recreate in the forest & great out doors. For observing or harvesting of wildlife etc.

In addition to these benefits to burning wood it helps with the house hold budget. Home heating oil seems to be expensive this year. For those, that heat their homes that way, I bet your all glad that we are having a ìmilderî winter. Oil is our back up heat and we heat our water by this manner. Earlier when I had to fill the tank for the winter I was shocked when I had to pay $1.80 per gallon. Boy I hated that. Not just because I would rather spend the money on something else but I take real satisfaction from not being to dependent on those large oil cartels and foreign oil. I remember back in the early 70ís when the oil embargo took place several or the bumper stickers that I saw. One was ì driving fast is fuelishî and the one I like the best was ìthe faster you drive the richer they getî. With the current animosity towards Americans by many in the oil-producing nation, I get a small amount of satisfaction by not putting more money in their pockets. Like how I always drive 55mph & drive all the other people on the road in a rush bonkers. It is just my own personal way of giving all of those groups the ìHawaiian good luck waveî if you know what I mean. Yup, I am a damn independent fellow, & if I could I would tell those listed above to their face just what I thought, I would not hesitate on second. Oh by the way. The two saying from those bumper stickers from 30 years ago, were true then, and still are today.

So some of the other things that I engage in at this time of year to avoid the ì winter doldrumsî. I like to go coyote hunting. I take my predator calls and go to where I think the sign is right, set up & call. I am not into those store bought electronic calls. Anybody can do that. I like to use my own voice and calls. It is very exciting to see the animals that will respond to a predator call. Anything that eats meat can and if within energy range is likely to show up. Over the years, I have had anything from hawks to skunks, fisher, coyote, & bear. The animal that I like least to show up and sometimes does is the bobcat. These stealthy felines give me the willies. Sometime they have gotten WAY to close before I knew they were there, & what is worse is that I have found a couple of time that I was stalked to within easy striking distance & not know it until I get up to move. THAT is unnerving. I like doing this at this time of year because I get such a good response from animals. With so much, less food than during the growing season predators often will come readily. Some times aggressively. However, not those dam bobcats. With me they always sneak. Reminds me of Golum. Another reason I like this type of hunting is that I use this sometimes for bear. Yes bear can be called and as I have mentioned before this is often used out west, & is not very well known in the east. One of the things that is so exciting about this type of hunting is that,, you are being hunted. Man, that is EXCITING. One time when I was out with my cousin Jack Miller he was calling bear and that bear stalked us from behind. We did not know it until it winded us and left in a tremendous commotion. Let me tell you that can turn your shorts brown in a Hurry, if your not careful. I will try to tell that story at another time.

The last thing Iíll touch on is ì Sportsmenísî shows. Jo and I are getting things together to exhibit at a few of the shows in the New England theater. We will be in Worcester Ma. From 2/10-13/05 at the Pelham show on 3/5-6/05 and at the Wilmington show on 3/12-13/05. So if you see us at any of the shows stop by and say hi. I love to meet people. In fact, I like that thing best about exhibiting. I get to talk a lot to people. Well, with being an oral dyslexic that fits my bill just right.

Well you all take care, and may God help you to enjoy another wonderful day in his beautiful outdoor world.