Monthly Archives: March 2020

There is no such thing as society

Posted on March 31, 2020 by JohnMatel

Margret Thatcher is sometimes praised and often criticized for saying that there is no such thing as society. This is the whole of what she said, and she was right – “There is no such thing as society. There is … Continue reading →

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Community

Posted on March 30, 2020 by JohnMatel

Community is important, even if we have to “social distance.” I didn’t properly secure my trailer and it came loose. I stopped on the little road on the way to the Freeman place & soon a hunt club member stopped … Continue reading →

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Out in the woods and man’s search for meaning

Posted on March 29, 2020 by JohnMatel

You cannot get much more socially distant than when you are out planting trees with nobody for acres. Dept of Forestry had an extra box of longleaf, since they cancelled Arbor Day plantings. I have some blank spaces for trees, … Continue reading →

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Hate the president if you want, but do not underestimate America

Posted on March 26, 2020 by JohnMatel

Winston Churchill supposedly quipped that Americans always do the right thing … after they have tried everything else. I do not see that as an insult, and I am do not think Churchill did either. America has always relied on … Continue reading →

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Drinking our part against the Corona virus

Posted on March 22, 2020 by JohnMatel

I am doing my part, even if it costs me some money and mild headaches in the morning. Chrissy and I like to go to Blackfinn. It is right across the street from us and we especially enjoy eating and … Continue reading →

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Memories of the working class

Posted on March 22, 2020 by JohnMatel

An old picture reminded me of my working days at Medusa Cement on KK Avenue in Milwaukee. In the original posts I wrote that I did not know who the people in the wedding picture were, beyond my father. I … Continue reading →

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Harvest on Diamond Grove

Posted on March 20, 2020 by JohnMatel

What I want to emphasize here is that crystal clear water in the video. This is the stream down the hill from our harvest, shown in the other pictures. Loggers in Virginia protect the waters of the Commonwealth and my … Continue reading →

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Using the disc

Posted on March 12, 2020 by JohnMatel

I used my new machines to disc and then I planted pollinator mix on Brodnax & Freeman. The Brodnax situation is special. I planted the pollinator mix where the HS kids will plant trees this upcoming Saturday. This used to … Continue reading →

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Harvesting Diamond Grove

Posted on March 12, 2020 by JohnMatel

The crews are working hard on thinning the Diamond Grove unit. It will change the face of my first forest. The size of the trees is surprising.  When I see them being harvested and look at the thinned places, it … Continue reading →

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Thinning on Diamond Grove prep day

Posted on March 9, 2020 by JohnMatel

They are getting the equipment in position to thin 110 acres on the Diamond Grove place. This was my first forest. I feel very strongly about all my forest units, but his one is special as the first. When I … Continue reading →

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