THE ERA OF GENTLEMEN IS DEAD
    The commonalities of our world have ceased to exist, Nothing seems to be recurring or indestructible in the likes of communication in society, and basic human interaction. Instead of talking to a lover face to face, or over letters, or even over a home telephone, We text them how much we cannot wait to see there face again.

Instead of going to a local shop to meet people and interact whilst buying things we may need or not need, we can access basically any retail company online with no problem, and almost no movement. I’m not saying these things are bad, they are blessings in most cases, but if we do not hold on to the Common Courtesies, and basic human interactions that matter, we will be lost in a digital world where no one knows how to get what is coming to him.

Love is now an emoticon, and Lovers dont want to hear how you feel because the ability Technology has afforded them has made it possible to shut out such things as a pre-emptiv strike against insult, or heartbreak, So Nobody is able to accept compliments anymore. The world is changing, as is the human race with it, But again, we must find what we love in this current life, and hold onto it for dear life, because it will soon prove to be what matters most, Nice Guys Finish Last.
– Grant Maierhofer, Eau Claire

WHAT’S IN RURAL FOX’S FEEDERS?
    As a long-time dweller in Wisconsin’s woodlands, I found the February 5 installment of “Rural Fox” to be intriguing.

According to the illustration entitled “Birdland,” Rural Fox is successful in encouraging  the Eastern Phoebe to remain in our area during the winter. The data presented in the Audubon Field Guide to North American Birds suggests this is no mean accomplishment.

Then, too, it is quite an achievement for Rural Fox to attract the notoriously shy pileated woodpecker to her bird feeder, since according to the Audubon guide, observation of this bird usually requires “careful stalking.”  One wonders what is in the seed mix.

But truly miraculous is the presence of the (ruby throated) hummingbird at the Rural Fox feeder.  Since the hummingbird winters in the tropics, one must assume that to entice it to remain here during a brutal winter the Rural Fox must be a fox, indeed.
    – Alan Jenkins, Eau Claire

LET’S ALL START SMOKING!
    In response to Sally Jo Birtzer’s letter in the last issue about recalling the smoking ban from taverns, let’s take it a step further. Let’s all start smoking!

The revenue generated from the taxes and additional sales would probably be enough to turn this whole economy around! Plus, the extra health care costs would keep the hospitals, doctors and mortuaries going. Why didn’t anyone think of this before?
    – Blake Seitz, Eau Claire