Journal entry by Al Negstad — a minute ago
There's an old golf adage used after someone's golf ball takes a lucky bounce; "It's better to be lucky than good." Perhaps I should adopt that as my motto and put it on a coat of arms. Consider that I met Joanne when she was 26, and single! Back in the 60's that was unusual. She did receive a card for her 25th birthday, from a person whom I will not name, that said "A quarter of a century and not even married." Was I ever lucky, or 'blessed' if you prefer, to connect with Joanne!
This 'lucky adage' came to mind last night. Wednesday, last, I was informed that 'no I did not have until May 15, to burn the CRP, as I thought, the deadline was April 30.' Thursday afternoon I got the necessary paperwork at the USDA office in Brookings and learned that the official who could review my plans and give the OK would be in the office Friday morning. A little, later in Sinai, the fire chief said he'd try to get a crew of the volunteer firemen together Friday evening to assist me with the burning. R. who'd stored a car in my garage for the winter drooped off the plans at the USDA office on his return to MN. Friday I disced firebreaks by the tree plantings I wanted to protect. Friday evening at 6:00 eight or nine firemen complete with two fire trucks and equipment came to assist me and the weather was perfect, only a slight breeze. By 9:30 the burn was successfully completed. Today (Saturday) I awakened in S.D. to 6+ inches of heavy wet snow and it was still snowing when I returned to MN. It will be at least a week before it will again be dry enough to burn...well past the April 30, deadline.
Lucky, or blessed, yes, that really is the story of my life...and so much of the blessing was in finding Joanne.
Blessings,
Al
Pictures:
1. Come on, baby, light my fire.
2. One fire line.
3. Truck one, with Angel.
4. Deuce and a half, the pride of the volunteer fire department, courtesy of Homeland Security.
5. Burn baby burn...hot enough to create its own wind.
This 'lucky adage' came to mind last night. Wednesday, last, I was informed that 'no I did not have until May 15, to burn the CRP, as I thought, the deadline was April 30.' Thursday afternoon I got the necessary paperwork at the USDA office in Brookings and learned that the official who could review my plans and give the OK would be in the office Friday morning. A little, later in Sinai, the fire chief said he'd try to get a crew of the volunteer firemen together Friday evening to assist me with the burning. R. who'd stored a car in my garage for the winter drooped off the plans at the USDA office on his return to MN. Friday I disced firebreaks by the tree plantings I wanted to protect. Friday evening at 6:00 eight or nine firemen complete with two fire trucks and equipment came to assist me and the weather was perfect, only a slight breeze. By 9:30 the burn was successfully completed. Today (Saturday) I awakened in S.D. to 6+ inches of heavy wet snow and it was still snowing when I returned to MN. It will be at least a week before it will again be dry enough to burn...well past the April 30, deadline.
Lucky, or blessed, yes, that really is the story of my life...and so much of the blessing was in finding Joanne.
Blessings,
Al
Pictures:
1. Come on, baby, light my fire.
2. One fire line.
3. Truck one, with Angel.
4. Deuce and a half, the pride of the volunteer fire department, courtesy of Homeland Security.
5. Burn baby burn...hot enough to create its own wind.
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