Features

Exotics keep the hunt going on Texas ranches

I often hear folks discussing whether our local weather conditions are normal or not. Is it colder than normal or perhaps warmer than normal seems to the never answered questions in the barber shop. Yes, there are still some of those around. What’s unique about our area is that we rarely have extended periods of either cold or warm temperatures. That situation allows the folks that enjoy the outdoors to do so practically all year long.

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Better-than-average duck season comes to a close

Sunday at sunset, Robert Mason, Denny Copeland and I were putting limits of mallards and pintails on duck straps. It was to be our last duck hunt of the 2011-12 season and one that a whole lot of us won’t soon forget.

This should give you an idea of how good the season was. Four of my duck hunting buddies in Central Texas bagged just over 800 ducks, which according to their data, is an all-time record for them. They hunt a lot, but what’s most interesting is that they only hunt on public lakes and rivers.

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Singing electrician galvanizes

Jake’s Place in Nederland is a classic Texas beer joint, located near the end of Spurlock Road in a part of town that manages to be both residential and semi-industrial at the same time.

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God’s grace: Right on time, every time

Today’s column is lovingly and prayerfully dedicated to a fine young Christian woman in our community, Valerie Clara Sallee, daughter of Pastor Richard Sallee of First Baptist Church of High Island. I am impressed with Valerie as a person, as a church leader, as a daughter, and most of all, as a Christian who wants to serve God and her fellow man. She reminds me a bit of Corrie ten Boom, whom I have long admired.

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Know your climates and zones

We hear about the USDA hardiness zones and most garden centers sell plants with tags clearly marking which zone the plant is best suited for. With few exceptions, gardening success is vitally linked to selecting plants that suit your climate. Our area hardiness zones are Zone 8 and Zone 9.

If you want a low maintenance garden, stick with plants for your zone. But that being said, you can cheat the zones a little. It might be interesting to expand your plant palette and push the limits by creating microclimates.

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