Columns

DeSoto Extension Agent

‘Tis the season for sneezing!

If you are like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies — sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes and coughing, all due to pollen from local, native plants that bloom in autumn. Among many culprits, two of the most common are goldenrod and ragweed.

Both plants bloom at roughly the same time each fall, but goldenrod often gets the blame for the problems caused to allergy sufferers. It is possible, although rare, to be allergic to goldenrod. Your seasonal sniffles are most likely caused by ragweed.

When Northwest Louisiana is mentioned the mind immediately thinks of the right angle of the state joining Texas and Arkansas. It has always been that way even before Caddo was organized out of Natchitoches Parish. There were at least two times the Northwest three parishes (Caddo, DeSoto and Bossier) were close to becoming Texas. As a reminder, Caddo was taken from Natchitoches parish in 1839, DeSoto was formed with the northern half from Caddo and southern half from Natchitoches in 1843 and Bossier was formed a few months later that same year in 1843 from Claiborne Parish and all were endangered to remaining in Louisiana.

The Persimmon: A bitter, then Sweet Autumn Treat

If you happen to be taking a walk in the all-toobrief temperate weather of October in Louisiana and stumble upon a tree with wide leaves and beautiful, yellow-orange fruit, don’t think about picking one and taking a bite. You will be in for a bitter disappointment.

That’s because what you’ve likely encountered is a persimmon tree, one that will eventually produce deliciously sweet fruit that— like autumn weather in Louisiana — is fleeting in its prime.

Bob Mirabello, an LSU AgCenter horticulturist who is doing his doctoral research on persimmons, said the fruits are considered a delicacy in Asia, where they are primarily grown and sold. Here in the West, however, their popularity remains elusive.

Is that a cold snap I feel?

Let’s get shakin!!!

Well, here we are y’all, summers dying down and the shorter cooler days and crisp cool nights are finally starting. Here in the south, I’m seeing trucks headed to the woods, the last hay being brought in from the fields, fall decor going up on front porches, and finally less mosquitos. This is one of my favorite times of year, I call it one pot season. This couldn’t be truer when it comes to southern cooking and the simplicity and goodness that can come from a meal in basically one pot (or crockpot). It’s about warming the body and soul and recipes like the one below does just that. It’s as easy as it is rich in flavor and its inexpensive to make which certainly doesn’t hurt nowadays.

Mary Beth’s Potato Soup

• 2-3 lbs. of Russet or red potatoes cut into 1/4’s

• 1 Pint of half and half

• 2 cans of chicken broth

• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic

Only three months after Harry S. Truman became president of the United States he met with two of the “Big Three” of Word War II – Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. Many Americans had reservations about the “Clothing Salesman” from Missouri having the diplomatic skill to deal with such world power leaders. Truman entered the conference knowing they had giant issues to resolve: the political future of Eastern Europe, the fate of recently defeated Germany, the still ongoing conflict with Japan and etc.

“The Buck Stops Here” president realized he could not pass the tremendous responsibilities of the presidency on to anyone else. While in the conference a close aide eased into the meeting to notify the President that the White Sands atomic bomb test was successful. President Truman now had one of the greatest decisions in the history of man – to drop the Atomic Bomb or not.

It’s Squirrel Season, Y’all

Let’s get shakin’ and head to the woods!!

My favorite time of year growing up, squirrel season! I got to spend quality time with my dad, he would even surprise me at school to check me out early for an afternoon hunt. As bad as I was, I highly doubt my teachers minded (a few might have looked forward to me leaving.)

Opening weekend and usually the next included, my daddy’s friends around a fire talking about the hunt and how much work still needed to be done before their next outdoor adventure, deer season.

These fall weekends are when I first saw open-fire cooking first hand and I loved every minute of it. Today, looking back I smile realizing those guys were more interested in the hunt and eating than sanitation. Sometimes these camps didn’t have water much less soap. The squirrels were usually eaten with the same knife that skinned them only hours before. It was southern, it was country and it made memories.

The last thing you probably want to think about in the heat of the summer is planning for Christmas. But right now is actually the best time to do just that.

There is nothing worse than rushing around at the last minute, fighting crowds, and spending hours in the kitchen trying to do all the cooking and baking that will need to be done for the holidays.

Planning ahead for Christmas can be economical. It seems the cost of living is rising, but incomes aren’t. By having a holiday plan in place, you will know what you want and need to do and then be able to start shopping early.

This gives you a chance to shop sales, thrift shops, and other places for the items you will need at a reduced price. And by having it all planned out early, that means you can settle in to enjoy the holidays, instead of running ragged trying to get all those last-minute things finished.

Crock’n and Rock’n

Let’s get shakin!!!

Happy Fall, time to get out the ole faithful crockpot y’all. That’s right, obviously you can use them all year long, but to me at least, crockpots are just made for cooler weather dishes. Don’t worry it’s still “homemade” and with a little planning it’s easier (and much healthier) than sitting in a drive through and getting takeout after work. I use mine at least once a week. We all know they are perfect for soups, roast, chili, country favorites at the camp, or a family dinner. Did you know you can also make a socially acceptable dinner for guest or even date night without judgement? Follow me!!! This one’s even WW and diet friendly!

Living a Simple Life may be the best way to go, but it can be hard work to stay on track. One way to stay focused is to keep your Simple Life interesting.

When we do something that is interesting, it holds our attention. It makes us want to do it even more. We find we are enjoying ourselves and the process.

Try these fun tips to keep your life interesting. Integrate them into your day or schedule. Just be forewarned! When you keep your Simple Life interesting, you may start searching for things that can help simplify your life even more!

Find Inspiration Start by taping a few Inspirational quotes or Bible verses in conspicuous places. Put them in on the wall next to your bed. Stick them on or beside the mirror in your bathroom. Tape one on the coffee maker.

Offer Compliments The key to offering compliments is to give positive inspiration and feedback. A false compliment is looked upon as insincere and is thought to have an ulterior motive behind it.

Theses area the 3 most important historical sites, in this writer’s opinion, in DeSoto Parish. This is an extremely challenging selection but here goes: The Battle of Mansfield and of Pleasant Hill fought on April 8 and 9, 1864 were the last two consecutive victories for the Confederates. The Battle of Mansfield with Confederate Gen. Richard “Dick” Taylor’s army meeting Gen. Nathanial Banks south of Mansfield. Most of the Confederate’s leadership was killed but French Prince de Polignac stepped forward to lead the victory and saved the State Capitol of Shreveport and the State of Texas. On April 9, the Confederate army continued to push the Union forces back to Grand Ecore to the waiting ships of Admiral Porter. This was the last defeat of the Union forces and one of its greatest defeats.