Dear Mother: April/May 2007

(Page 6 of 9)

April/May 2007, Issue 221
Letters from our readers 
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Thanks again for an informative article and for all the great work you do. As the occupant of an owner-built, earth-bermed, part-straw bale, part-cordwood, passive-solar-assist, wood-from-old-barns, off-the-grid home, I appreciate all of it.

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JOEL DUFOUR
Frankfort, Kentucky

Crow Whisperer

Thank you for the article on crows and ravens, which I read with great interest (“Brain Birds: Amazing Crows and Ravens,” December/January 2007). I am a mail carrier, and for years I have fed crows with the dog food I carry in my pocket.

Not only do they recognize me, they recognize whatever vehicle I drive, and they also expect my fellow carriers to feed them when they are in the area. I’ve had crows escort my vehicle by flying with me on my left front bumper, and one of my current “buddies” almost caused a five-car pileup when he momentarily landed on my head to get my attention. I have found them fascinating company!

DEBRA SMITH
Parker, Colorado

Stream Water: Safe for Irrigation?

“Why Grass Fed is Best” (“News from Mother,” December/January 2007) made me wonder about irrigating a vegetable garden with water from a small stream. Local farmers spread cow manure on their fields, and it runs into ditches and then into the stream. Is there danger of E. coli?

STEPHEN CHERNOCK
Saints-Anges du Beauce, Quebec

There’s a very small chance that the new strain of E. coli that has evolved in cattle fed unnatural grain diets could be present in your stream. If this were our garden, we would continue to irrigate from the stream and, as always, wash crops thoroughly before eating.—Mother

Some Things Do Get Better

About 10 years ago, I bought a Black & Decker electric mower. It was great—no gas, no oil, just plug it in and go. However, it had a few design flaws. Adjusting the mower height was awkward. The collection bag hung from a pole inserted into the deck of the mower, and after a while, the connection point enlarged from the pressure and torque, and the pole would fall out. Finally, the mower deck broke loose from the motor, which was still fine. I bought another B&D electric and discovered that the design flaws have been amended. The collection basket attaches to the rear, removable with one hand. And the height adjustment is the same, a one-hand squeeze. Yea! Still no need for gas or oil. The deck is now much sturdier, and I look forward to many pleasant years of mowing.

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