Pseudorabies

May 19, 2026

Inside the front section of Sunday’s local newspaper was a USA Today article on an outbreak of a virus thought to have been eliminated in the US in 2004. An Iowa pig (Sus domesticus) producer received fire affected boars from an outdoor facility in Texas where they may have been in contact with feral swine. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working with the two commercial herds and about 100 pigs were destroyed in Iowa to prevent further spread of the disease. The USDA did not report how many pigs were destroyed in Texas. This is especially concerning in Iowa, which is the nation’s largest producer of pork. The virus can kill or stunt the growth of hogs or cause abortions or still births in sows and resulted in tens of millions (US) of dollars in losses. Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Associations said they appreciate the government’s aggressive actions to get the disease “stamped out as quickly as possible.” The Iowa department of Agricultural said, “pseudorabies is still found in wild or feral swine populations, which remain a potential threat of exposure for domestic pigs.”

When I went online, I found pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s disease), usually called in the US, is a viral disease in swine caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV). The disease is constantly present or maintained at a baseline level (endemic) in most parts of the world. Pseudorabies is considered the most economically important viral disease of swine in areas where classical swine fever (hog cholera) has been eradicated. Research on PRV in pigs has pioneered animal disease control with genetically modified marker vaccines lacking an antigen, which allow for immunological differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals. PRV is now used in model studies of basic processes during lytic herpesvirus infection, the stage where the virus is actively replicating within the host cell, and for unravelling molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus neurotropism. Other mammals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and raccoons, are also susceptible. The disease is usually fatal in these animal species.

State and federal officials are expected to monitor 20 to 30 farms near the outbreak in Iowa to ensure the virus has not spread. The USDA said, “detection does not pose a risk to consumer health, not affect the safety of the commercial pork supply.” While pseudorabies can infect other mammals, pigs are the only known host. While usually thought to be safe, humans can contract pseudorabies from pigs. However, the overall risk is extremely low and limited almost entirely to those handling raw, infected pig meat or working closely with infected swine. The euthanized pigs are not allowed to enter the US food supply. The state agriculture department in Iowa has spent years preparing for these animal health events and has a strong team to respond. Mike Naig, Iowa Agriculture Secretary, said, The United States pork supply remains safe and secure.”

THOUGHTS: The pseudorabies virus was quickly identified in the US, and immediate action was taken to eliminate any threat. When the Ebola virus was identified in the DR Congo and Uganda last week there had already been 100’s of suspected cases and dozens of suspected deaths stretching over weeks. The consequences of delay could prove catastrophic as there are no vaccines or treatments for the rare species of Ebola Bundibugyo responsible for the current outbreak. One American health worker has contracted the virus, and six others have been exposed, and all have been removed from the area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel warnings and introduced restrictions prohibiting non-US citizens who have been in DR Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days from entering the US. Seems none of this is our problem if we keep others out. Sounds like the US response to covid. Act for all. Change will come and it starts with you.

Pyrenees

May 18, 2026

We are planning a cruise to Alaska and the inner passage this summer and I decided to do some clothes shopping before we left. July is the warmest month of the year in Alaska, but temperatures vary drastically by region. The Coastal and Southeast areas (Juneau) where we will travel typically range from 55F to 65F (13C to 18C). That meant I needed to find additional transitional wear that I could layer. I tend to follow my father’s rule-of-thumb when it comes to clothes and closets. I keep three pairs of each type of outer wear, along with 10 shirts and 10 tee shirts. I do have a variety of pants for different occasions (dress, daily, work). This can drive Melissa crazy because every time she buys me a shirt, I donate one of my older shirts to charity. In contrast, the other three closets are dedicated to her clothes, which she alternates between winter and summer outfits. We went to the new big box sports store, and I got and nice short sleeved collared shirt to wear for dinners and a lightweight hoodie I could layer for sight-seeing. I tried the hoodie on today and walked into the living room to show Melissa how it looked. Our Pyrenees (Zena) was asleep on my spot on the couch (her favorite) when I walked in with the hood up. She saw me and went nuts.

When I went online, I found the Pyrenean Mountain Dog or Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées, is a French breed of livestock guardian dog. The Pyrenees breed originates from the eastern or French side of the Pyrenees Mountains that separate France and Spain and is recognized as a separate breed from the Mastín del Pirineo or Pyrenean Mastiff from the Spanish side of the mountains, although they are closely related. It is sometimes claimed that the forebears of both breeds were white livestock guardian dogs brought to the area from Asia in Roman times. The Pyrenean is large and heavily built, with males standing from 28 to 31 inches (70 to 80 cm) and bitches from 26 to 30 inches (65 to 75 cm). Healthy adults typically weigh between 120 and 165 pounds (55 and 75 kg). The neck is short and strong, the chest broad and moderately deep, and the tail long, hanging low when the dog is at rest but curling over the back when the dog is roused. The dogs are widely used throughout France as a livestock guardian, particularly in the French Alps and the Pyrenees, protecting flocks from predation by wolves and bears. It is known as the Great Pyrenees in the US.

Beginning in the late 1970’s, sheep farmers in the US began employing livestock guardian dogs to protect their flocks from predators, particularly coyotes (Canis latrans) and black bears (Ursus americanus), but also cougars (Puma concolor) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis). A 1986 survey of over 400 farmers employing 763 livestock guardian dogs in the US found 57% of them used Great Pyrenees. While we do not own sheep, we have toyed with the idea of living off grid. Our black Pyrenees (common but not AKC worthy) was the runt of the litter and now considered small at 90 pounds (41 kg), but she is still a very good protector, always patrolling our fence. She did not recognize me in my hoodie and shot off the couch ready to protect Melissa, sounding her warning bark and her tail was tightly curled over her back. She stopped being aggressive when she realized it was me, but it took a good five minutes of consoling to settle her and down.

THOUGHTS: We did not have a Great Pyrenees when I was growing up, but we did have a large Boxer named Lucky. My sister never cared much for the dog until one day when she was alone at the house. People knew our home as a place to get help with food or even money. One day a man came onto the porch and tried to open the locked front door. Lucky saw the threat and immediately slammed into the door barking, startling the man who quickly ran away. Dogs give protection and keep alert to threats. That is why many people on the streets keep dogs, and why we support a local feeding program by providing dog food. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Oriole

May 17, 2026

I try to put a variety of seeds in the 11 feeders we have on our pool deck. I purposefully dedicated the two farthest feeders under the trees to the eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). I put shelled peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and a corn (Aea mays) log in one and cracked corn in the other. I did this as it was a losing battle to try and keep the squirrels out of all the feeders. I found the northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) prefer these feeders, while the squirrels run along the fence to feast on the two feeders with common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seed on the other side of the deck. I have also stocked meal worms (larva of Tenebrio molitor), two feeders with roasted peanut chips, and a wild bird seed mix (cereal grains of Family, Poaceae). I currently stock the two window feeders with safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) seed, but this is messy and I am considering switching back to sunflower chips. The last feeder is a suet corn cake. While most of the birds which visit are the same every day, we do get an occasional new species. Last week the new arrival was a Baltimore oriole.

When I went online, I found The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small blackbird of the icterus family common in eastern North America as a migratory breeding bird. The species was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Coracias galbula. The bird received its name from the resemblance of the male’s colors to those on the coat-of-arms of 17th-century English Baron Lord Baltimore. There have been observations of interbreeding between the Baltimore oriole and the western Bullock’s oriole (Icterus bullockii) which led to both being classified as a single species, called the northern oriole, from 1973 to 1995. Research by James Rising, a professor of zoology at the University of Toronto, and others showed that the two birds did not interbreed significantly and they are again classified as different species. The Baltimore Oriole is the state bird of Maryland, and the namesake and mascot for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.

Melissa has a friend who has been texting her pictures of an oriole who has been visiting her feeder. She put out a tray with orange (Citrus sinensis) slices and grape jelly, and they clean her out several times a day. We have only seen the oriole twice on the suet cake, but I figured we might get more activity with orange slices and grape jelly. A number of other birds (and squirrels) are fond of oranges so this may bring other birds as well. I followed the friend’s example and initially set the feeder next to the suet cake, but the grackles pounced on the feeder looking for the peanut chips and knocked it to the ground. This afternoon I set the oriole feeder back up and moved it farther away from the others. Hopefully this will work and attract an oriole before they migrate through our area.

THOUGHTS: When I was growing up in north central Kansas there was a Baltimore oriole that would nest in the branches of a tree outside my second story window. This was a massive American elm tree (Ulmus americana) that stretched over the enclosed side porch. I was fascinated by the bird and its flashy orange and black body. I was also into collecting baseball cards and listening to my older brother’s radio playing baseball as we fell asleep at night. I became a huge fan of the Orioles (team) in part because of my connection to the bird outside my window, along with the fact they became an American League powerhouse in the 1960’s, wining two pennants and their first World Series. Although I now (mostly) follow the Kansas City Royals baseball team, I still have a fond spot for the Orioles. Most of our traditions and habits were ingrained in us during our youth. That is why it is important to train a child to be willing to reach out and embrace others. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Distribute

May 16, 2026

After filling my bird feeders, I was sitting on the patio waiting to see what species would arrive. What I noticed instead was how my tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants had begun to grow this last week. I mentioned I planted fourteen tomato plants this year, using four different types of containers. My two sweet 100s (cherry) are in 5-gallon (19-l) buckets. Three of the Arkansas Travelers (slicing) are in 5-gallon grow bags and the other three are in 10-gallon (38-l) terra cotta pots. The six Romas (sauce) are in the plastic self-watering containers I purchased last year. All 14 plants were over 2-1/2 feet (0.76m) and are starting to produce (green) fruit. While I have known since our family garden as a child that tomatoes need trellises or cages for support, it was not until three years ago that I learned you should also prune your plants. The small, secondary shoots that grow in the “V” joint where a leaf branch meets the main stem (suckers) should be removed as these produce less desirable fruit. The bottom branches should also be removed to guard against pests and disease. Pruning encourages the plant to focus on growing fruit rather than tall, bushy vines. With the number of plants in the ground, it got me thinking of how to distribute the expected tomatoes.

When I went online, I found one way to distribute excess produce was called Fresh Food Connect. This group was formed in 2016 with the goal of connecting local gardeners with the hunger relief efforts in their community to grow a more local and resilient food system. Fresh Food Connect has a free mobile app that connects gardeners with their communities. By 2024, Fresh Food Connect had grown to over 4,300 gardeners with over 65 hunger relief nonprofits in 28 states and has shared over 300,000 pounds (136077.7 kg) of homegrown produce with 166,000 community people experiencing food insecurity. During 2025, 5,210 registered gardeners in 18 states connected with 54 local community partners to provide over 91,490 pounds (41,499 kg) of homegrown produce to over 51,870 individuals facing food insecurity. This distribution amounted to grocery savings of US$457,460, or over 76,240 meals and over 91 tons (82.5 mt) of CO2EQ saved.

I got excited when I learned of this effort to efficiently distribute home grown food to those with food insecurity. I immediately downloaded the app and typed in my zip code to find a distribution center near me. While there was (currently) no distribution near me, the Ozark Church Food Pantry was listed as only 52 miles (83.5 km) away. I used the app to suggest they partner with the Crawford Sebastian Community Development Council in Fort Smith (15 miles/24 km away). The app does allow me to register my donations outside of their network so I will probably continue to give locally and register my donation with Fresh Food. Last year I also shared with my neighbors and several friends, and I will probably do that again this year. Today I used my last jar of dill pickles making pickle de Gallo, so I am also looking forward to restocking my garden favorites.

THOUGHTS: Cassey Anderson, Colorado State University Horticulture Agent, provided the three Golden Rules when planning to distribute your harvest to a local food bank. These are: Keep it cool, Keep it wet (when appropriate), Handle with care. Harvesting is best done in the cooler parts of the day (morning/evening) and many crops can be harvested and placed directly into a container of cool water. If you continue to harvest, make sure they are placed out of the sun. Using a sharp knife or scissors is a better choice for harvesting rather than tearing the crop off the main plant. This reduces stress on the plant, reduces chances of damage, and makes for a cleaner product. Food insecurity is limited or uncertain access to adequate, nutritious food due to limited funds or resources. Arkansas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, with 19.4% of households struggling to access consistent, nutritious meals. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Transition

May 14, 2026

Several days ago, I saw what I thought to be a new bird species in my feeders. This grey bird was about the size of a robin but was busy feeding on the suet cake I had placed on the back fence. I was able to snap a photo and then checked the picture against my Google identification app (I find it easier than either my Audubon or Nat Geo birding apps). I was surprised to learn this was an immature Eastern Starling. This morning Melissa called my attention to this same strange bird she had seen feeding on the suet. She was surprised as an adult starling was collecting seed from the suet cake and feeding it to the larger brown bird. She sent me a picture of the two and I recognized the speckled white feathers of the (springtime) adult and the brown feathers of the immature offspring. Both the parent and young were in different stages of plumage transition.

When I went online, I found the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), also known as the Eastern Starling, undergoes dramatic feather color changes annually. They transition from a spotted winter plumage to glossy, iridescent black in spring. Juveniles are drab brown, transitioning to speckled, then glossy adult plumage over their first year. Juveniles transition from Summer to Early Fall. Freshly fledged (kicked out of the nest) juveniles are plain grayish-brown or dusky brown with a dark bill. From late Fall to Winter the immature birds undergo a post-juvenile molt and then gain iridescent black feathers that are heavily speckled with white and cream-colored spots. Breeding or adult have the same speckled winter colors and during Spring to Summer experience “wear,” as the white, brittle tips of the winter feathers break off, leaving a glossy, iridescent dark plumage (green, purple, and blue) with a yellow bill. This unique “wear molt” allows the starling to change its appearance completely without the high energy cost of growing new feathers in the spring.

After rousing, I came outside to sit and watch the feeders with Melissa. She has been sending me interesting pictures of a variety of birds in the last several days. It appears Melissa has been coming outside around 8:30 am for her morning coffee and has seen a flurry of activity on the feeders. This morning the female eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) was bringing newly procured bugs to the bird house on the pool deck. Her arrival was met with the raucous sound of several young vying for a meal. There was also a second sighting of an orange bird about the size of an American robin (Turdus migratorius) feeding on the suet. This time she was able to take a photo before the bird quickly flew away. Although the bird was partially blocked by a starling fighting for the same cake, it appears to have been a Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula). Melissa said she goes inside around 11:00 am as the “cool” birds are gone by then and it becomes a fight between the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) and the common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula). It is only recently the starlings have been present at the 11:00 am transition. I need to get up earlier to see the show.

THOUGHTS: After the 11:00 am transition Melissa went back inside. Lately, the temps are warming up, and the sun has been breaking through the overcast sky by this time. I had re-stocked the feeders when I came out and even knowing I had missed the real show, I decided to stick around and see what might transpire. The mockingbird was making a back-and-forth trip to the meal worms, and I wondered if it was also feeding young. The suet cake was descended upon by a group of six starlings, including two pairs of adult and young feeding at the cake together. This is the time of year where birds transition from the nest to fledgling on the ground to joining parents to learn to feed themselves. Humans go through a similar transition, but it takes a dozen or more years and it literally takes a village to do it right. We need support and not criticism. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

FPV

May 13, 2026

@Mike Popp/TIMES RECORD

Several weeks ago, a front-page article in my local newspaper wrote about a study to save Arkansas farmlands. The study comes as solar leasing has become an increasingly attractive option. Michael Popp, agricultural economist with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, said Utility-scale solar installations are projected to occupy about 0.2% of Arkansas’s 13.7 million acres (5,544,193 ha) of agricultural land, with some counties expected to see 1.7% of cropland converted. Solar leases bring between US$450 and US$2,500 an acre, far outpacing traditional agricultural rental rates of US$50 an acre for non-irrigated cropland, US$150 for irrigated land, and US$20 for pasture. Solar developers typically seek flat, well-drained land near transmission infrastructure, which tend to be the same characteristics that make productive farmland. As solar competes with farmland across Arkansas, University of Arkansas researchers are testing whether a different approach could meet energy demands without taking acreage out of production. A new project at the Rice Research and Extension Center is examining the feasibility of floating solar arrays (FPV) installed on irrigation reservoirs and waterways to reduce pressure to convert cropland while adding benefits for farmers.

When I went online, I found floating solar or floating photovoltaics (FPV) are solar panels mounted on a floating structure usually consisting of plastic buoys and cables placed on a body of water. The systems can have advantages over land photovoltaics (PV) as water surfaces may be less expensive than land and there are fewer regulations for structures built on water not used for recreation. Life cycle analysis indicates that foam-based FPV have some of the shortest energy payback times (1.3 years) and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions to energy ratio (11 kg CO2 eq/MWh) in crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic technologies reported. FPV can be used to generate electricity for any application as well as to make green hydrogen via electrolysis on the same water they are floating on. Floating arrays also achieve higher efficiencies than PV panels because the water cools them. The panels can have a special coating to prevent rust or corrosion while providing shade, slowing evaporation, and inhibiting the growth of algae in the water where they are installed.

Popp said the research is focused on balancing competing interests as solar expansion accelerates. “The goals are to not convert agricultural land to solar panel use, save irrigation water and create a synergy between utility companies, solar investors, farmers and policymakers.” Researchers say floating solar could offer a path forward in a debate that has increasingly pitted energy development against agricultural preservation, providing a way to do both without forcing farmers to choose. Along with physical installation of FPVs, researchers are surveying Mid-South residents and farmers to gauge attitudes toward floating solar and willingness to pay to avoid converting farmland. The project is a collaboration between agricultural economists, engineers and students with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. The survey is open through May 15, 2026.

THOUGHTS: Constructing FPV on waterways is one of several innovative ways being researched to provide increased use of land under a solar array. Growing native wildflowers under and around PV (ecovoltaics) restore ecosystems and supports pollinators like bees and butterflies. This boosts insect diversity, reduces long-term maintenance costs (vs turfgrass), and can increase crop yields on surrounding farms. Growing crops or grazing livestock under and around solar arrays (Agrivoltaics) combines agriculture with energy production to boost land-use efficiency. This symbiotic approach improves crop yields for certain plants by providing shade and reducing water loss, while the transpiration from plants cools the panels, increasing electricity generation. Innovation is not “one or the other”, but can be both/and. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Velella

May 12, 2026

Monday’s local newspaper carried a USA Today article on hundreds of thousands of small sea creatures were washing up along the Pacific coast in the US. These jelly-like creatures can be found around the globe but are most often in large accumulations off the US Pacific coast and in the Mediterranean. According to Steven Haddock, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, while several miles-long stretches may float in the open ocean, it is when the winds pile them up along the shore that people really notice. Rebecca Helm, Georgetown University Earth Commons Institute has been studying the creatures and says that although velella have been documented for decades, scientists do not yet fully understand them.

When I went online, I found Velella velella is the only known species in the genus of hydrozoa in the family Porpitidae. Other common names are sea raft, by-the-wind sailors, purple sail, little sail, or simply Velella. By-the-wind sailors are a widely distributed free-floating colonial animal that lives on the surface of the open ocean in a specialized ocean surface community collectively called Cnidarians. Specialized predatory mollusks such as sea slugs (nudibranchs) in the genus Glaucus and purple snails (genus Janthina) prey on these cnidarians. Each apparent individual is a hydroid colony, and most are less than about 2.8 inches (7 cm) long. Like other cnidarians, velella are carnivorous and catch their prey (mostly plankton) by tentacles that hang down in the water and bear stinging nematocysts (or cnidocysts). The toxins in their nematocysts are effective against their prey but are relatively benign to humans, although irritation may occur to skin. Some scientists describe velella as floating colonies, but Haddock said it is easier to understand each raft as a single individual with a central mouth that looks like a volcano surrounded by a field of 100’s of squirming noodles, which are also a mouth. Each velella can produce 1000’s of free-swimming, sesame-seed sized offspring that drop off and sink to the seafloor where they produce another single cell that eventually returns to the surface as a new floating colony. They are usually indigo blue in color and have a small stiff sail that catches the wind and propels them over the surface of the sea.

Helm has been looking at how the velella survive in the wind and waves without getting turned around as they pop up right every time as well as their adaptation to use the wind for propulsion. Scientists would also like to be able to predict when the velella armadas are going to appear. One study suggests large concentrations may be found after particularly warm winters, but more research is needed. The winter of 2025-2026 was a record breaker in California with intense marine heat waves observed in the ocean. Scientists are encouraging people to report velella sightings and to take photos with GPS activated readings so they can track their exact locations. Sightings can be reported through the iNaturalist app.

THOUGHTS: Like many unique creatures, the velella are being examined for military reasons. A group of scientists in China have studied mimicking the velella as a prototype for unmanned surface vehicles, while a group at John Hopkins are working with the military on modeling them to create low-cost ocean sensors. Heaven forbid, we take the time to study the uniqueness of nature without trying to adapt it for a military advantage. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Sunflowers

April 30, 2026

I have been having difficulty with the viability of some of the seeds I planted for my garden this year. I received the seeds at Christmas 2023 along with the raised beds I placed along the south side of our house. The box had 100 different packets of heirloom vegetables and flowers. Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) plant varieties passed down through generations, and often for over 50 years. These varieties are valued for unique flavor, regional adaptation, and historical significance. Unlike hybrids, they “come true to seed,” allowing savers to harvest and replant identical offspring. I had no problem with the seeds that first years and few problems the second, so I was surprised I was having difficulty growing this year. When I read the packages carefully, I saw any saved seed from a year would be viable for another 3 to 5 years based on the species. I also found while I had been gifted the seeds in 2023, the packages indicated they had been harvested in 2021. That meant all my seeds were going on five years old, or toward the end of their viability. That meant I either needed to plant the seeds this year (and hope they sprouted) or at least plant them by next year and again hope for the best. I decided to go ahead and plant three varieties of sunflowers in two of the beds along the house.

When I went online, I found common sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are a species of large annual forb of the daisy family Asteraceae that is harvested for its edible oily seeds often eaten as a snack food. They are also used in the production of cooking oil, food for livestock, bird food, and as plantings in domestic gardens for aesthetics. Wild plants are known for their multiple flower heads, whereas the domestic sunflower often possess a single large flower head atop an unbranched stem. The plant has an erect rough-hairy stem and reaches heights of 10 feet (3 m), but the tallest sunflower on record achieved 35 feet 9 inches (10.9 m). Sunflowers bloom in summer with the flower being a “flower head” (pseudanthium) of numerous small individual five-petaled flowers (“florets”). The outer flowers are sexually sterile and resemble petals (ray flowers) with each “petal” consisting of a ligule composed of fused petals of an asymmetrical ray flower and may be yellow, red, orange, or other colors. The spirally arranged flowers in the center of the head (disk flowers) mature into seeds.

I planted Mammoth sunflowers next to the house in the wildflower bed. I figured if the plants grew, they would not block the sun from the perineal flowers that had been established in the bed the previous year. For good measure I planted some common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), another perennial, between the bed and the Shirley Temple Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) along the front. We had planted Canna lily flower (Canna indica) and several bulbs in the bed on the side yard, but they had never produced. I thought I would give the bed a try with two other varieties of sunflowers (Lemon Queen and Autumn Beauty) this year and added a few more milkweed to boot. If any of these grow it will be a bonus. They were going to expire this year anyway.

THOUGHTS: While I was disappointed with the dwindling production from my seeds, I figured it could not hurt to plant things like the sunflowers and see if they might grow. The vegetables and all but a few of the flowers were identified as annual. Being heirloom, I could harvest the seed and have viable seed for years to come. Now, they have expired and production is tenuous. This is another hard lesson to learn, but better than that when you are in a sustainable situation. I can allow whatever does grow to go to seed and start the process again. As in life, it seems much is learned as a “2 steps forward, 3 steps back”. Samuel Smiles is credited with the quote, “We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success.” Keep trying. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Wildflower Bed 2026

April 18, 2026

Last July I mentioned Melissa and I had established a wildflower bed in one of the flower beds in the front of the house. This had been a vision of mine since we moved to Arkansas 8 years ago. I had planted native grasses and flowers on sections of the 60 acres (24 ha) I managed as director of a conference center in Kansas. This was done to rebuild a small part of the rapidly disappearing tall grass prairie as well as to create an oasis for the pollinator’s dependent on this ecosystem. While we do not have tall grass prairie in Arkansas, last year we planted an area appropriate mix of perennial wildflowers. The bed had done well after I removed the Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) that had taken over the bed (several times) and some initial hesitation. The flowers filled the entire area (72 feet²/7 m²) and bloomed well into Fall, providing nectar for the butterflies (lepidopteran superfamily Papilionoidea) and bees (monophyletic clade Anthophila within the superfamily Apoidea) that flocked to the garden. Late in the Fall I took care to brush out the seeds from the old blooms and scatter them back into the soil before I carefully removed the dead plants. Although I did a quick weed (grass) and cleaned out the bed in early April, I did not plant more seeds as I wanted to see if the bed would continue to reproduce itself. I have been anxious to see the wildflower bed in 2026.

When I went online, I found US Fish and Wildlife Service encourages homeowners to plant wildflower beds as a way of supporting pollinators, reducing maintenance, and conserving water. Helping pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds involves creating safe habitats by planting native, nectar-rich flowers, eliminating pesticide use, providing water sources, and leaving “messy” areas for nesting. This includes planting diverse, blooming species to provide continuous forage to support local ecosystems. The key is to choose a variety of native plants that bloom at different times of the year and are already adapted to your local climate and provide the best nectar and pollen. Planting milkweed (genus, Asclepias) is another way to aid monarch butterfly caterpillars (Danaus plexippus). You should also reduce or eliminate insecticides and herbicides which can kill or harm pollinators. Other ideas beyond your wildflower bed are to leave fallen leaves and dead wood for nesting sites and delay garden cleanup in the fall and spring to protect overwintering insects. Finally, create a “pollinator bath” with a shallow dish of water and stones help landing for a drink without drowning.

After clearing out the grass trying to reestablish itself, several plants began to emerge. I did not have luck along the edge of the house last year (except for grass so I put a layer of mulch along the one foot (0.3 m) next to the house. There were still quite a few bare spots, but these have begun to fill in this past week. Most of the ground is now covered and several of the plants have begun to bloom and the pollinators are coming back. I have also transformed our bird bath into a pollinator bath by keeping water in it along with a brick for the bees to cling to. It appears my wildflower bed 2026 is well on its way.

THOUGHTS: The insects that visit my wildflower bed in 2026 are fulfilling a critical ecological function. Without pollinators, humans and all of Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems would not survive. Over 80% of the world’s flowering plants require a pollinator to reproduce as they have separate male and female cones or flowers (monoecious). While it is possible to hand pollinate between the male and female flowers in a small garden, this becomes untenantable for commercial growers. Pollinator populations are declining rapidly, with over 20% of North American native species at elevated risk of extinction and US managed honeybee colonies experiencing average annual losses of 30% to 40%. Key drivers include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Providing pollinator habits is everyone’s responsibility. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Wash

April 15, 2026

I was surprised to see how much dirt and grime accumulated on the RV while we were on the road. The vehicle had sat outside from December to February. While I had winterized and cleaned the interior I did not do much to the exterior. I had purchased a cover designed to go over the unit but had been reluctant to put it on due to the time and thought of trying to accomplish this on my own (yes, I could have asked Melissa). I thought we might go on a short trip at some point, but this did not happen. I had taken the RV to a truck wash prior to leaving and it cost US$56. This did not seem outlandish as it cost around US$20 for my car but it was still a lot of money. Now that we have returned, I knew I needed to get out and clean. I did my research and ordered the necessary tools online (I could not find them locally). Everything arrived Monday and I was ready to wash the RV.

When I went online, I found it best to establish an RV maintenance schedule that includes an exterior wash every 4 to 6 weeks during travel season. Regular washing prevents the buildup of road grime, bugs, and environmental contaminants (bird droppings or tree saps) that can damage paint and seals. Several types of washes should occur along with the standard exterior wash. This includes a post-trip rinse to remove fresh bugs and salt from the surface. A full detail (wash and wax) should occur 2 to 3 times a year to protect the gel coat and finish from UV rays. The roof should be cleaned 2 to 4 times a year to prevent black streaks and allow seal inspection. The chassis and underside should have annual washing, and an immediate wash if the RV is exposed to road salt or beach camping. If stored outdoors and uncovered you may need to wash it more frequently to prevent oxidation, while if in a climate-controlled garage an annual cleaning may be enough. Many owners prefer using a large ladder for safety rather than standing on the roof itself. The RV should be washed in the shade or on a cloudy day to prevent soap leaving water spots, while using a soft-bristled brush or micro-fiber mitt to avoid scratching the delicate exterior, along with an RV-specific soap as household detergents can strip protective wax and damage seals. This seemed like a lot of rules.

Monday turned out to be the perfect day to wash the RV as it was warm yet overcast. I moved the vehicle onto the street to allow the gutter to whisk away the water rather than creating a mud puddle in my yard. I had watched enough YouTube videos to know I needed to start with the roof and then work my way down to avoid streaks (one saying, “Wash your RV in minutes rather than hours”). I have acquired several ladders and thought that might be the best way to clean. Two were too short and the third was so unwieldy it made it hard to maneuver the brushes. I had checked the capacity rating for our fiberglass roof and found it could easily hold me. The problem was climbing the small ladder on the rear to get onto the roof and then figuring out how to wash the front. I finally overcame my vertigo and climbed onto the back of the roof. The brush setup had a 20-foot (6 m) extension and after much trial and error I was finally able to clean the roof. Cleaning the sides and front were simpler as I was firmly on the ground. None of this was hard, merely time-consuming.

THOUGHTS: It took me over four hours (lunch included) to wash the RV. The quick video included a power washer which other postings warned about (strips the decals and paint). I was amazed how much grime came off and Melissa commented on how clean the RV looked. I think my established schedule will include trips to the truck wash along with my hand detailing. While I do not look forward to these washes, it will keep our exterior looking fresh and new for more years. My grandfather used to say you can tell how good a farmer is by how they keep their yard. The same is probably true for an RVer. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.