Puffs

Don’t worry . . . Be happy . . .

Don’t know why it took me so long to remember that song. I think it came about in the 1990s.

I hope those of you who are of age can remember it. With the melody, it was popular and I think successful. The first verse sets the tone for the song. It was as follows:

“Here’s a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don’t worry, be happy

In every life we have some trouble

But when you worry, you make it double”

I enjoyed the song when it was released, however, it could maybe be more appropriate for this day and age. Consider for a moment. The Democrats took control of our government only two years ago and, among other things.

“Don’t Worry:” We got kicked out of Afghanistan in a disgraceful way.

“Don’t Worry:” The president, and his government, is changing our definition of the English language. For example: “Recessions” were identified as six months of negative economic growth. Seems now that is not the definition we use.

“Don’t Worry:” Wind energy and solar power will replace gas and oil for our electricity. We’ll shut down all the current power plants and you can live without heat in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer for 20 or 30 years when we get everything changed over.

“Don’t Worry:” Some Democrats are thinking that Hillary Clinton might be a better presidential candidate in 2024. Gosh, her claim to fame seems to be helping in the killing of our ambassador Christopher Stevens in Benghazi Libya.

“Don’t Worry:” About the national media, who seldom, if ever, say something about the latest ‘national scare’, “Monkey Pox.” Is it because the disease happens mostly with ‘Gay’ men.

“Don’t Worry:” Gosh, it’s hard to be happy when watching what the last two years has brought.

“Be Happy:” that in America we can change our futures through elections, and we just happen to have one this year. Please do what you can to elect people with common sense.

A O

I didn’t intend to start the week with the above, but that’s life.

I wanted to start with a comment on a couple of magazines I saw last week.

I hope most of you are familiar with “Nebraskaland.” The Nebraska Game and Parks monthly magazine. The great state of Wisconsin has a similar magazine called “Our Wisconsin.” Both are similar and informative about their state.

The summer editions of each magazine came last week and both have cover pictures of sunflowers.

I found that quite a co-incidence, but what was just as interesting was that neither magazine carried a story about sunflowers.

I thank my brother-in-law in Wisconsin for sending the Wisconsin magazine.

Be Happy.

A O

Ethanol . . .

This was the subject I was to get in early but it got moved down the list. However, it is a very interesting subject for us Nebraskans to keep up with.

The Nebraska ethanol industry really got started in-about the 1970s. The beginning did not just happen, but had a number of stops and starts. It finally got underway and today is a great success story. I like to read what the results are every so often. Today, I’d like to pass on where the industry is today.

The latest information came from a 2019 study:

In 2019 Nebraska produced more than 2.25 billion gallons of ethanol. That is an increase of more than the 2.07 billion gallons produced in 2017.

Nebraska is the second largest ethanol-producing state in the nation. Ethanol is the third-largest agricultural industry in the state.

In 2018-2019 the industry employed 1,460 full-time positions.

Almost all of Nebraska’s ethanol and about half the state’s dried distillers’ grain and corn oil production are exported.

Local corn cash prices average an increase of about 21.3 cents per bushel in the immediate areas nearer ethanol production facilities.

I enjoy seeing the reports of this successful enterprise because I can remember a lot of the negative comments made back at the beginning of this undertaking. Many negative comments involved using corn for ethanol would only lead to a shortage of corn we humans eat, eventually leading to a food shortage. Haven’t seen that happen as the corn used for human consumption is different from the corn used for ethanol.

The other argument at that time was that the ethanol would damage car motors. Just recently I heard reports promoting ethanol’s increased usage because after billions of miles being driven with ethanol, there has not been motor damage caused by ethanol use.

Be Happy . . .

A O

Out of the “Our Wisconsin” magazine noted above, I read the following comment from one of the state’s residents:

“I stayed up all night to see where the sun went . . .

. . . and then, it dawned on me.”

Also, straight out of Wisconsin came the following concerning garden fresh vegetables. Something we all love.

It seems someone’s 1-1/2 year old child discovered she really liked the squash, and asked what it was.

The adult replied: “Summer squash.”

“And some aren’t?” asked the child.

Don’t worry, be happy . . .

A O

To touch another subject, I was saddened this weekend to learn of the death of Mr. Bill Russell. He, and the Boston Celtics, of course, were my all-time favorite basketball player and team.

I can still remember him playing and even the names of his team mates. Life seemed so much simpler in those days.

Don’t worry, be happy. . . .

A O