Author Archives: JohnMatel

November Trip to State Department

Posted on November 17, 2018 by JohnMatel

Yesterday was miserable; today was glorious, brisk and brightly sunny. I rode my bike to State Department. Most of the ice and snow from yesterday was melted. Only on the bridges did it persist. I had to be a little … Continue reading →

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Comments on Fire in the Forest

Posted on November 13, 2018 by JohnMatel

These are some of my thoughts related to the big fires in California.  They are keyed off the articles at the top. Megafires More Frequent Because Of Climate Change And Forest Management It is very distressing that President Trump has … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Ma

Posted on November 12, 2018 by JohnMatel

My mother was born on this day in 1923. I never got to know my mother after I was an adult. She died when I was seventeen. So my memories are seen through the eyes of a child or at … Continue reading →

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G Washington Distiller

Posted on November 11, 2018 by JohnMatel

George Washington was good manager and smart investor. He diversified his crops and always looked for profitable enterprise. Among them was a grist mill and – partially based on the – a distillery. Washington: A Man Who Appreciated Good Spirits … Continue reading →

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Crash & Bang

Posted on November 9, 2018 by JohnMatel

Crashing, banging, feeling queasy & nearly fainting. These are some of my impressions of the crash-bang course I completed yesterday. I hope I never need to most of what I learned, and I am happy to report that I have … Continue reading →

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Crash, Bang, Some Blood & Lots of Beer

Posted on November 7, 2018 by JohnMatel

November 5 at 10:05 PM · I am at the crash-bang course. Not supposed to write about details and not allowed to take pictures. I have to take it so that that I can spend more than 44 total days … Continue reading →

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The Givers

Posted on November 3, 2018 by JohnMatel

Americans are exceptionally generous and more likely that people in most other places to volunteer. This is something foreigners noticed since the time of Alexis de Tocqueville. It is the special ingredient that allows us to do with less government. … Continue reading →

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October forest visit

Posted on October 30, 2018 by JohnMatel

Took advantage of the beautiful last day of October to do some work on the farms. We will be burning soon in Freeman, weather depending. I wanted to get some of the slash away from the trees. There are not … Continue reading →

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New books on the forgotten Americans & the dignity of work

Posted on October 29, 2018 by JohnMatel

It is time for moderates to take back America from the hysterics and the screamers. We should judge policies by their usefulness, not by who advocates for them. I have seen studies showing that the same policies will be judged … Continue reading →

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First FHS board meeting

Posted on October 27, 2018 by JohnMatel

Did my first Forest History Society board meeting. It was very interesting and I think the FHS does very worthy work. Everybody was very nice to me and my fellow board members are great people – smart and committed. My … Continue reading →

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