I was getting up the leaves in the yard, as I do every year, when suddenly, something seemed to be different. No hickory nuts. Most years, walking in my yard is like walking on king-sized ball bearings. Those big hickory trees cover the ground with nuts and then cover them with leaves so you can't see them. But this year, I think the crop failed. We still have tons of acorns from the oaks, so our squirrels won't starve, but no hickory nuts.

In addition to the trip hazard, the hickory nuts are a lot of work. I rake them up and load them into 5-gallon buckets and take them to our daugher's farm. They have deer, squirrels, ground hogs, black bear, 'coons, possums, and wild turkeys, so natural food is always welcome.

Thls year, I get a break.
Howard