
By Harold Brutlag
We didn’t get any thunder and lightning over the weekend, but the nearly 3 inches of rain was great. We were getting so dry there was a grass fire warning, but that’s history now.
I noticed some wood ducks flying around ML lately that were looking for a hole in a tree or a redi-made wood duck nest for the nesting season. They’re early morning risers, but they’re fun to watch if you’re inclined to get up rather than roll over for some more ZZZZZZZZs. Watching a female duck call her offspring out of the nest happens early too, but it’s fun to watch them tumble out of the nest and form a line as their mother leads them to water. Fortunately there were enough conservation minded people who, when it seemed the wood ducks were a dying breed, enlisted sports clubs, 4-Hers, and the general public of the dilemma, and they responded by building nests which is highly responsible for the saving them and build the growing population we have now.
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I watched the 2024 NCAADI Women’s Basketball tournament Sunday afternoon as South Caroline continued it’s unbeaten streak defeating Iowa 87-75. The first half belonged to Iowa but SC had too many successful runs in the second half for Iowa to keep up. Iowa crept to within five points in the fourth quarter, but then SC would go on another run to maintain its lead. Iowa guard Caitlin Clark, playing her last game for the Hawkeyes, finished with 30 points on 10-of-28 shooting. Tessa Johnson, Miss Basketball 2023 Award winner, out of St. Michael-Albertville High School, Minnesota, scored a team-high 19 points for the Gamecocks in their 87-75 national championship game victory. She’s in her second year at SC and plays guard.
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I noticed some rabbits running around since the nine inches of snow, more than usual, and was impressed with their size. They weren’t all biggies, but maybe it was the mild winter which was great for them and other wildlife. The pheasants also seem to fair well with mild winters and, if that is true, there should be an upswing of their numbers next fall.
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The Minnesota Twins haven’t been setting the world on fire, but they had a good opening three games with Kansas City, 2-3. They seem to be getting enough runners in scoring position, but they’re leaving them stranded at third. It has to get better if they’re going to be a winner like last year!