Good Friday

Spring is in full swing around here.  Here it is Good Friday and we have a beautiful day.  I think spring has come early for us this year.  We have had over 4 inches of rain for the month so far and our lake is over full pool so we have a lot of water going out the drain pipe at the dam.  I have fished most everyday and caught over 11 bass in an hour about a week ago and a few days ago I caught 5 in 20 minutes.  The osprey have arrived from the south and Anne and I have enjoyed watching them come in once a day and get a fish or two.  They are such beautiful birds.  They are almost the size of a bald eagle.  After the last two inch rain my lake had a visitor from upstream on another persons property.  It is a large beaver.  I spotted him swimming around 10 or so the other night.  My buddy, Ralph, came over to help me spotlight him, but he went back upstream by the time we got started(within 10 minutes).  I need to take him out if he comes back because he will make a mess of my woods by downing trees.  Gary and I rode the gator upstream last Sunday and found his pond that he is building.  It is on a neighbor's acreage but real close to mine.  I am watching for his return and am at the ready with 00 buckshot in my 12 gauge.  I have no choice in the matter.  Beavers are a nuisance to farmers out here and all look to get rid of them when they come on their property.  The Game Warden concurs with our findings and encourages us to shoot them or trap them.  A four to five foot water moccasin made its way from one of my branches to the road where he was run over last week.  A critter got him over night for dinner.  Critters come through every night.  With Prissy being inside with us now, we never know what is on the property.  The deer and turkey are moving.  We lock the gate to the farm every night to keep people critters out.

Eddie (neighbor) and I finished my boat.  I also purchased an outboard motor from him.  Anne and I are ready for fishing Lake Russell now with plans to go next week and crappie fish in Coldwater Creek area of the lake.  The ramp is about a mile from the farm.

It is almost time to disk the garden.  The ground is still cold (had a frost last night.  It is still too early to plant because of the frost threat, but by the first part of April we will be ready.

Anne is just about well from her month old bronchitis.  She will finish her last pills tomorrow.  We are both glad for her to get over this mess.

Anne and I hope spring has arrived for you all and each is well.