1/08/11 HEATING BILLS, EAGLES, AND PUTTING ONE'S MONEY WERE ONE'S MOUTH IS

Sunday, 8:00 AM.  29 degrees, wind WSW, calm to light.  The sky is mostly overcast but clearing, and the barometer is up, predicting partly cloudy skies.  The sunrise was briefly beautiful before being dampened by the clouds.
    It looks like we are in another warm spell. We are about 70% down in snow fall for the winter so far.  That probably means we will have some real snow weather ahead as it usually averages out.  What little ice buildup we have had so far  has melted along shore lines near river moths, and the established ice between Ashland and Washburn is very unsafe.  But  cold weather lurks to the north and we are sure to return to more normal weather patterns soon.  In the meantime we are getting a break on the heating bills.
    We have been seeing lots of eagles, particularly near the lake shore.  It is getting towards mating season and the males and females are beginning to hang out were they can size one another up.
    Commentary: it is now estimated by the Government Accountability Board that the Recall Walker (Wisconsin governor) campaign will cost the state more than nine million dollars. In my opinion the recall petition signers should be personally liable for the costs, which would be around $10.00 each.. That would make a recall effort  much more serious  than the present circus atmosphere. There wouldn’t be many frivolous recalls, and fake names like Adolph Hitler and Mickey Mouse would be less likely to show up on the petitions.  When people have to, as we used to say, put their money where there mouth is, there is a lot less foolish talk.