Hobbies
Editors note: This November article was submitted too late
for print publication, but is included here. Care for the Earth
Every November I pause to remember my mother who died in November 2007. My mother continued to plant annuals in a variety of decorative planters at my brother’s up to the last spring she lived, dying that November at 93. My parents were not wealthy. They saved for twenty years to buy the only house they’d ever own; yet, more important than the house was the yard. It wasn’t large, but every year Mom and Dad created a riot of color with roses and annuals. We lived on the corner and passersby often paused to look at our roses and flowers. Our parents taught me and my older brother to love, care and beautify the earth.
We plant flowers and trees because we believe in a future. Earth is our home, and we owe it our respect. No greater respect can be given than to beautify and care for all that lives upon the earth. Now, I do not know the circumstances of my readers, but I do know that regardless of what those cares, worries and concerns may be, beauty can be a part of each life. A small basket of annuals, a few perennials, some trees, a few shrubs, are all within our reach if we believe it’s important to care for the earth and its future. Enlist grandchildren to plant; spend a few minutes just looking at your flowers; do whatever is necessary to surround yourself with some natural beauty. I’ve written about planting a tree in honor of each grandchild’s birth. When the last one was born sixteen years ago, I planted my eleventh tree on my Iowa property. The trees are planted for a future likely to extend beyond my lifetime because I want to offer hope for that future through both the trees and each grandchild attached to one of the eleven. Though we’ve now left that house behind and moved to Missouri, friends tell be all the trees remain. Even if the new owner may destroy what I planted that’s only the visual evidence of what I hope I planted deep within each of my grandchildren’s spirits just as my mother and father did to me. This year, more than any of my seventy-eight, has no parallel; no equal. Nature has wreaked havoc across the country and many wonder what is happening to our democracy. Is there any hope for a future? I must believe so; I must. Beyond ourselves Christine and I have placed three families who love each other and our eleven grandchildren into a future which at some point we will not share. We must believe trees, shrubs and flowers are the door opening into a hope-filled future. Lucy Larcom profoundly said this with her simple words: “He who plants a tree plants a hope.” Yes! Trees are our hope for a bright future as they teach us so much in the present. Speak kindly to those younger than you; offer wisdom to the children; put your hands in the warm spring soil next to the hands of youth. Plan now, in the November days leading us to winter, to pass on what love you’ve received from the trees, the flowers, the gardens, and the fresh spring air that will come again. Plan now, to plant at least one tree in 2026. 
Sudden, unexplained changes in eating behavior concernin
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat “Jonesy” is 11 years old and has suddenly become a very picky eater. He is barely touching his dry kibble, and he will only eat canned pate or fresh chicken, shredded very fine. Is this something to be concerned about? — Martha Y., Tallahassee, Florida
DEAR MARTHA: Sudden, unexplained changes in a cat’s behavior -- especially around food — often signal a change in their health. Call the veterinarian and describe your cat’s symptoms; the vet will likely ask you to bring Jonesy in for a look. One possible cause is a dental infection. After age 4, more than half of cats begin to experience some degree of dental problems, like gingivitis, tooth infections and tooth resorption. Symptoms of dental disease include bad breath, excessive drooling, blood-tinged saliva, pawing at the face, dropping food from the mouth, lack of appetite and several more — all requiring a visit to the vet. Your cat’s vet will give him a complete physical exam to determine if something else is causing his lack of appetite, and will take a close look at his teeth. X-rays may be ordered to determine the extent of the problem. If Jonesy’s issue is an infection, antibiotics will be prescribed. If a tooth is involved, the vet will probably recommend pulling it; this is done under anesthesia, and will provide so much relief to your cat. Once your cat has recovered, the vet will likely set up a toothbrushing routine — a finger brush and flavored toothpaste made just for cats work best. They may recommend a dry cat food that helps fight plaque buildup. There are many more preventive treatments available for pets today than in the past, so ask your vet how you can keep Jonesy happy and healthy through his senior years. 
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Calamity Bank
RSL Auction Company
It's fitting that a mechanical bank called "Calamity," featuring football players colliding,
is rarely found without damage. Surviving examples are rare and expensive. Football fans might consider it a calamity if their favorite team loses. The calamity bank made by J. & E. Stevens in the early 1900s depicts a different kind of football disaster: Insert a coin and the three players' heads collide.
Frequent collisions over time often damaged the figures, making it rare for today's collectors to find an example in good condition. The few that still exist are quite valuable. This one, featuring a college football game with a fullback from Yale and two tacklers from Harvard, sold at RSL Auction Company for $8,027. If anything, the bank's propensity to damage makes it more realistic. College football in the early 1900s was dangerous. Players did not wear helmets, had little protective gear and often deliberately injured their opponents. Reportedly, more than a dozen players died in 1905 from injuries during games. Football safety became a national issue; President Theodore Roosevelt met with Ivy League football coaches to discuss it. This led to the formation of the Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a precursor to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). * * * Q: Do you have any recommendations on how to determine the value of an autograph I have of John F. Kennedy from 1962? A: You can consult a local antiques dealer or antiquarian book dealer for assistance. Some coin and stamp dealers also handle autographs. If there aren't any appropriate dealers in your area, you may want to contact a national auction house that specializes in autographs, like Nate D. Sanders (natedsanders.com); or political and historical memorabilia, like RR Auction (rrauction.com), or Hake's Auctions (hakes.com); or even rare books, like Swann Auction Galleries (swanngalleries.com) or University Archives (universityarchives.com). A word of caution: John F. Kennedy was known to use an autopen or signing machine for some autographs. Autographs made with an autopen have lower values than ones made by hand. If you do not know if your autograph was done by hand or made with an autopen, there are professional autograph authenticators who can help you find out. * * * TIP: To set the time on a clock, push the minute hand clockwise, never counterclockwise. If the clock chimes, be sure to wait until it stops striking before you advance the hands again. * * * CURRENT PRICES World's Fair, jewelry, bracelet, 1933, Chicago, cuff, illustrated panels, A Century Of Progress, copper, 193, 2 1/2 x 2 inches, $65. Advertising, cabinet, spool, J. & P. Coats, four drawers, molded edge, maple, brass pulls, painted panel, on stand, late 1800s, 34 1/2 x 22 x 24 inches, $530. Furniture, server, Sheraton, cherry, three drawers over two-door cupboard and bottle drawers, two long drawers below, maple veneer fronts, satinwood inlay, early 1800s, 40 x 44 1/2 x 20 3/4 inches, $1,765. For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit
www.Kovels.com © 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.
Simple Perfect Roasted Turkey14-16 pound Fresh Amish Turkey
1/2 cup softened butter Package of Cremer’s Rub Me Tender Seasoning 2 stalks of celery and 2 carrots 1 1/2 quarts turkey or chicken stock Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Rinse turkey with cold water, pat dry with paper towel. Place celery and carrots in cavity of turkey. Rub skin with butter and season with Rub Me Tender. Pour stock into roasting pan. Cover turkey with lid or foil tent. Roast until the popper thermometer pops or meat thermometer inserted into the deep thigh reaches 180 degrees, for about 3 1/2 – 4 hrs. General rule for Fresh Turkeys 15 mins per pound. This simple recipe will give you a tasty turkey. *** Simple Turkey Tips *** When you start with an Amish Fresh Turkey, you are well on your way to simplifying the big day. (1) No concern of where you are going to defrost a frozen turkey not to mention any concerns of the mess and safety. (2) We strongly feel that by cooking your stuffing in the cavity of the bird, you are going to increase the cooking time and further the chance of drying out the turkey. Pick up some of Cremers Homemade Pork Sausage Sage Dressing and cook it in separate dish alongside your turkey. (3) We also can simplify and save you some frustration with our very popular Homemade Turkey Gravy. |
