Birdshot and backlashes

If a journalist just pays attention to his mail, he will probably get better material to print than he can think up himself. In the summer we wrote about the wildflowers in our three-million-acre garden, which is the Superior National Forest. A lot of mail came in from folks who study wildflowers while up here on vacation.Steven Masters, Minneapolis sent in list of 39 wildflowers he and his wife Twyla identified June 19-26. “This June assortment of wildflowers was far more extensive than in years past. I’m guessing because of the cool weather. It was the first time I’ve seen a goat’s beard and a pale corydalis anywhere.” This was in response to a column about asters such as hawkweeds.The goat’s beard is a bright yellow aster which was very evident in June. Come to think of it, I don’t recall noticing it around the woods before either. In addition, Steven sent along a print out from something called “about flowers.org” with a dissertation on the hawkweed.Sheldon Ajax of Golden Valley, Minnesota, sent in a letter in regard to outdoor safety. He notes: “Fifty years of hiking the trails, road, byways and portages in and around the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area have taught me the following rules: (abbreviated for space)1. Wear quality hiking boots. Tennis shoes, sandals, sneakers... are cute but have no place on the trail.2. Never step on an object you can step over.3. Avoid stepping on a wet rock or tree root.4. Watch where you place each foot.5. Don’t walk and gawk. Stop to enjoy scenery.6. Know how to use a compass and map.7. Be sure a responsible person knows where you are hiking and when you expect to get back.8. Take your time. Go slow, watch each step.9. Stop at least two hours before dark to set up your camp.10. Respect the woods, lakes, streams and all of nature.THE TOILET PAPER WARThis has not a whole lot to do with the outdoors, but it is of considerable interest. Ron Harri, one of Ely’s submarine veterans from WWII sent this along. It is excerpted from the American Submariner which is the publication of the undersea veterans. Reference is made to a book called “Full Fathom Five” about the subs and refers to Lt. Commander James Coe who was skipper on the submarine Skipjack, which apparently had a problem with supply.The CO of Skipjack, Lt. Cmdr Coe, wrote to the Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California.“Subject: Toilet Paper.“30 July, 1941.“This vessel submitted a requisition for 150 rolls of toilet paper, July 30, 1941. The supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Isand, on Nov. 26, 1941, cancelled Mare Island invoice with stamped notation: ‘Cancelled - cannot identify.’“During the 11 months from the time of order to the present, Skipjack personnel, despite their best efforts, have been unable to wait on numerous occasions and the situation is now quite acute.“Enclosed is a sample of the desired material. The CO USS Skipjack cannot help but wonder what is being used in Mare Island in place of this material once well known to this command.“Skipjack personnel during this period have become accustomed to use of the vast mount of non-essential paper work and in so doing feel that the reduction of paper work is effectively killing two birds with one stone.”Ron Harri says this letter became famous in submarine history books and is now hanging on the wall at the Navy Supply School at Pensacola, Florida.