Carlin Lake Association

Some people go south

 

Some people go south to escape snowy winters, but Bob and Judy Ruch have headed the opposite direction this year, coming north and managing to avoid all the snow in Des Moines.   This photo shows deer maneuvering through the piles of snow central Iowa has received--sure looks different than it does here, huh?

The Ruchs' neighbors say that they expect summer to arrive soon, as deer are already roaming through their yards.   Isn't this a great picture?  

(I'm sorry for the size, and hope your computers are able to open it---it's in a format that I don't know how to use, so had to copy and paste from the original.) 

We did have three pretty inches of snow yesterday and enjoyed watching it fall.  There's enough to get out a snowblower for the first time in weeks, anyway.

Love is in the air

At a Discovery Center program last night, naturalist Zach Wilson told us that it's the season for love for humans, but also for members of the animal kingdom.  He says that wolves and coyotes are looking for mates and that birds are beginning to return for nesting.

I was reminded of a section in  Graced by the Seasons: Fall and Winter in the Northwoods by John Bates, in which he compares the love we feel for a place with the love we have for our families and friends. 

On Valentine's weekend, maybe it's good to be reminded of the love for Carlin Lake we all share and the united purpose it gives us.

To love either a person or a place means this:

1) You want to be near it, physically.

2) You want to know everything about it, its moods and its looks in all seasons.

3) You fear its loss, and grieve for its injuries.

4) You are transformed in its presence--lifted up, lighter on your feet.

5) You want the best for it.

6) You accept moral responsibility for its well-being.

Does that describe at all how you feel about Carlin Lake?  I imagine most of us share the feeling  of being "lifted up, lighter on our feet" when we are here and also share the "moral responsibility" which he refers to. 

Bates goes on to say, "Love isn't just a way of being, it's a way of acting in the world.  It's a kind of work." Love is an obligation to care for what we love, to keep it healthy and vibrant. 

It's a good reminder----to care for the dear people in our lives, and to care for the lovely environment we share, no matter what the season. 

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

NOT from Carlin Lake

 

This snowy photo comes not from Carlin Lake, but from the backyard of Chuck and Clara McCall's down-south home in Northbrook IL.  

Thanks, Clara, for sending along this evidence of the difference in snow amounts from this week's weather across the Midwest--we have maybe a sparkly inch or two.

March is usually a snowy month here, so maybe we will still get our chance.   In any case, the winter seems to be flying.   We already have attained almost 10 1/2 hours of daylight each day, compared to our shortest days of 8 1/2 hours in December. 

And, records from other lakes show that we are half-way between ice-in and ice-out dates for the season.

Last two days

We have had some snow in the air on Monday and Tuesday, probably totalling a couple of inches.  It stays pretty, but never seems to collect very much.   I know some of you down south would be very happy to make a trade with us!

On Gail Speer's snow comparison graph, she shows that we have had about 48" total snow so far this winter, compared to 78" at this time last year, and 60" the year before.  

Did you remember?

 

Probably you have also received this reminder about cell phone numbers from someone on your email list.  But, I think it is worth repeating, as like me, you may have forgotten to call and register your name. 

I think solicitation phone calls on a cell would be even more annoying that getting the same calls at home.  My call to the number below was brief and it sounded very official, so I hope it works.

REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month.

REMINDER.....  all cell phone numbers are being released to
telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls

.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222 .
It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your
time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the
cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a
different phone number.

Two more......

...snowfalls going south of us!

This past weekend, we all watched the huge snowstorm that hit DC and the east coast.  Even in Indianapolis, well south of us in the Midwest, my sister said they got about 10 inches of snow. ---Nothing here in the woods!

And, relatives in Minneapolis tell us they expect 10" of snow today and tomorrow, and relatives in Milwaukee say they're predicted 12-14" .   You're probably all tired of me singing this same old song, but I keep looking for a big snow, not just the flurries we saw this morning.

Snow is in the forecast for the next few days, so maybe we will get a couple more inches this week.

Complaining aside, I just got back from a snowshoe on the lake, and the snow and the sunset were beautiful.

The power of education and enthusiasm

The most recent Lake Tides publication, from the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, reports great progress across the state in the last five years, as greater efforts have been made to educate the public about aquatic invasives and how to prevent their spread.

In 2009 for example, the statistics show that 52,00 boats were inspected by volunteers and paid inspectors, in 32,000 hours of work.  Of the boats inspected, 16% had plant matter attached and 78% of the boat owners removed those plant materials as requested.  (I wonder who those other 22% were, and what possible reasons they would have for not complying!)

One interesting chart compares the last five years:  in 2005, 44% of boaters had put their boat into a different body of water within five days, with that percentage decreasing steadily, till in 2009, only 25% of boat owners had used a different body of water within five days.  Thus, owners are realizing that frequent movement of boats from lake to lake speeds the spread of invasives, and are curtailing their movements.

When 91% of boaters inspected said they were aware of AIS boat launch policies, it certainly shows the success of Clean Boat/Clean Waters education.

 

A little "stuff"

After a dusting of snow yesterday, making everything look white again, the sun is shining this morning, and the temperature has risen from about zero to 20 degrees.  I think it's a good week to get outdoors, after last week's deep freeze.

John Bates tells us that Groundhog Day marks the half-way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.  It's fun to see the earlier sunlight in the mornings and the longer afternoons, and to watch the seasons roll on.

Barbie and Danny LaPean observed three coyotes in their front yard the other day, and then saw as they headed out across the lake.  Keep your eyes open. 

And, Ann Swift commented yesterday that birdwatchers from the Discovery Center are already seeing finches starting to have their summer gold color return.  The birders thought this early color change may signal an early spring for us.

Plea from an Iowa farm girl

Given my Iowa farm roots, I was particularly interested when I came across the following article:

Pig farmers have never done well in the United States.  Most Americans prefer beef to pork.  Hamburger is an American favorite, but contains no ham.  The pork producers were expecting to see a significant increase in their business after the scares about contaminated beef, but most of the benefits had gone to the poultry and fish industries.  Sales of ham and bacon remained virtually unchanged.

Because of this, the National Porcine Association hired a Madison Avenue advertising firm to boost sales of pork products.  They decided on an intensive campaign to saturate magazines, television, and radio with ads urging people to eat pork patties instead of hamburgers.

The campaign was given an extra boost when Congress was convinced to designate the second of February as the day when every family would be urged to eat pork sausage.  That day would be celebrated nationally, of course, as Ground Hog Day. 

 

Obviously, in northern Wisconsin, it won't matter what we eat today, or whether the sun shines or not.  Nothing will have any effect on whether we get six more weeks of winter.  In fact, having six more weeks of winter would probably be GOOD news for us.

Have a good day!  I hope this brought you a smile.