Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April Fools


Are we April fools? Obama is out of the country, the conficker virus is sitting there ready to be triggered, Korea is testing nukes and Al Queada is threatening again. Guess I need to turn off the news!

When I was a kid, this day was the day for pranks. If you know me, you know I usually was the one who got fooled, I was so naive and took everyone at their word. I still have a time getting the punch line sometimes. It went on for days so my favorite saying became "April Fools is gone and passed, you are the biggest fool at last."

Let's hope that is how the first paragraph turns out. Although the origin of playing practical jokes and pranks on this day is hazy, many folklorists believe that it may go back to 16th century France. At that time, New Year’s Day was March 25, with a full week of partying and exchanging gifts lasting until April 1. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day back to January 1. Those who forgot or refused to honor the new calendar were the butts of jokes and ridicule.

Ha, another gift from France! Personally I don't care if Sarkozy walks out of the G20 talks or not. I just wish us and Canada and Great Britain and Germany would come to some consensus as I agree with their peoples the most. Maybe their people have no more faith in their leaders than American's do in ours.

I wonder what it is really like farming in Europe under socialism? Looks like we are heading the same way. I have visited Europe but it has been awhile and about all I know is what I read on NAT or email from European farmers. They seem to be happy but all good people find happiness in their lot in life, at least they seek it.

The farms are smaller and all of Europe would fit in the Midwest so it is difficult to compare. I can't imagine our so-called free market system going that way but there are getting to be enough rules and regulations it can't be ignored.


The good news is April 1 is close to spring here and it's time to plant. It is good I am waiting for good weather so I can make those last minute decisions to try make a little profit and avoid loss and do those things to equipment that wouldn't get done otherwise. Everyone around here seems to be taking a breath for the planting run almost upon us.


Yesterday's planting intentions report gave me some hope as bean acres were down, corn wasn't out the roof, and stocks were a little less again. Everyone wants to know about the missing acres compared to last year though. I don't have an answer and we won't find out until way after harvest.


We got .2 yesterday, just enough to keep us out of the fields. Still a little tacky to go back to spraying and fertilizing. I need new SMV's and a few more parts on the next run. Won't be tomorrow as I have to take mom to the oral surgeon and won't be Friday as Daniel Davidson from DTN is supposed to be here. Maybe the other farmers I sent him to will use up all his time and he won't have time for me!


Ed Winkle

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