Koyote Hill: December: Edging towards Peace, Dreams, Changes and Traditions

A Step Forward

Just a week before Christmas, on Dec. 18, the last of the active US military troops left Iraq. The action ends a brutal and tragic war which lingered for 8 and ½ years. The war action began on March 3, 2003.

Although the numbers are incomplete, over 4,484 American troops died in Iraq; the last soldier to date who was killed in action was Spc. David Hickman, 23 years old and from Greensboro, NC.

Thousands more were maimed and seriously injured for life; an unknown number of innocent civilians were also lost, estimates vary but it appears to be many more than 10,000.

It was a costly affair for America. While the actual cost is currently not accurately available, it is generally believed the military operation cost between $800 Bilion and $1 Trillion. According to one source, it cost US taxpayers $390,000 to deploy one soldier to Iraq for one year. Additionally, billions of taxpayer dollars are still not accounted for.

At the war's peak, there were 239,000 known American troops in Iraq.

While the public war has ceased much of it's operations, there sort of a clandestine operation which continues. The US embassy in Iraq is the largest in the world and thousands of private private war contractors will find work in Iraq.

Gratefully, the vast majority of our sons and daughters are now safely in other places and out of Iraq. This Christmas (and throughout the year) should be the first of many to come during which we remember the heroic actions and hard sacrifices they have endured and for those still serving in Afghanistan.

For Christians, Christmas is a celebration of Peace on Earth and Good Will to Man, that should be everyone's deepest wish and prayer this season. It's also a good time to pray for deliverance from politicians whose only thoughts are wars and bombs at the expense of our elderly, the disabled, school kids, the sick and the poor. A Christmas dream, hope and prayer, peace at home and abroad.

Merry Christmas.

The Christmas Tree

The tree was found growing in a woods among some tall black cherry trees and beechnuts. It is only about a foot tall and it is a big question if it would have survived where it sprouted. It was dug up and re-planted in a leaky old canning pot and decorated during Sunday's (Dec. 18, 2011) surprise snowstorm.

This has been a somewhat weather – odd December. Like the last several weeks, this week the temps will rise and rain will fall again. The snow cover is quite a change from last year. Usually, by this time of the year, we are knee deep or better in snow. Colder air and snow are in the forecast for later in the week and Christmas Day.

Since many use a wood stove or a fireplace, be careful with the ashes and use them in the yard or garden. They are a great resource for the soil.

A note: The first public display of outdoor Christmas lights happened back in 1912. One of Thomas Edison's assistants, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Yule time trees in 1882.

A unique American Christmas tradition was born 99 years ago when someone flipped a switch.

Hunting

Beginning on Feb 16, Pennsylvania hunters will not have to display their hunting license on the outside of a jacket or hat. The new law was adopted by the State Legislature and signed by Gov. Corbett. A hunter must still carry the license while hunting as well as one other form of identification such as a driver's license. It seems like a good change, goodbye to an old tradition.

The legislature is also considering allowing Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania. Contact your local state legislator to voice your opinion on the matter. Pennsylvania is one of six states which continue to ban the sport on Sunday based on an 1870's Blue Law. For many rural communities, legal hunting on a Sunday is expected to create a significant economic impact, according to the bill's sponsor Rep. John Evans of Crawford County. A change in the Sunday hunting law would be a welcome change for many hunters, including those who own property. For more information, Sunday Hunt.

On the subject of hunting, PA muzzeloader opens the day after Christmas.

In the Woods

A surprise lake effect snow storm on Dec. 18 decorated the woodland landscape for Christmas. It wasn't very windy, nor was it bitterly cold, making for a nice walk with the dog. Although the coyotes have been heard the last week or so, no tracks were visible in the snow. Nor were there any tracks coming and going out of the brush piles.