Al, Author at Albert Lea Tribune - Page 51 of 78

Arts & Culture

Golden-winged warblers can detect storms two days in advance

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I ate so much over the holidays that I’m no longer sure ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, January 11, 2015 9:00 am

Columnists

Betting a mere $2 couldn’t hurt anything

He’d never owned a horse. He’d never even ridden one, but he liked horses. Maybe it was because they weren’t cows. He’d spent a lot of time ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, January 7, 2015 9:30 am

Arts & Culture

Easiest way to get butterflies, discouraging grackles, turtle eggs

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. My family all chipped in and bought me a new suit. It ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, January 4, 2015 9:00 am

Columnists

The Swami makes his predictions for 2015

My doorbell rang. I opened the door and a robed visitor accompanied by sitar music walked in. The renowned mystic from the Far East (the easternmost ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, December 31, 2014 9:46 am

Arts & Culture

How much wood could a beaver chuck? About 400 trees per year

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. My socks don’t match, but neither do my feet. My dentist, Phil ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, December 28, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

Christmas finally comes to the Batt Cave

On the 67th day of Christmas, my true love said to me, “You need to get a better calendar.” I told my wife, The Queen B, ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, December 24, 2014 10:11 am

Arts & Culture

Shed snakeskins can help protect young great crested flycatchers

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing? I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I’ve misplaced my cellphone again. I never lost a rotary phone. Even ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, December 21, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

Where the weather goes bump in the night

The weather here goes bump in the night. My feet were cold all the way up to my ears. Old Man Winter had taken control of the ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, December 17, 2014 9:51 am

Arts & Culture

Snowbirds aren’t just those who fly south to escape the cold snow

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. There is a day for everything. Today is the day for chocolate ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, December 14, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

Why are all the children laughing so often?

I have spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle. I don’t really have spurs that do anything. I think that spurs might be dangerous when walking up and ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, December 10, 2014 9:52 am

Arts & Culture

Knowing the difference among toms, hens, poults and raffles

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I had a good hot meal this morning. Toast. I always read ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, December 7, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

Paddling with an angry rodent in hot pursuit

Dad whittled on a stick with his battered Barlow jackknife. He didn’t carve anything, he just made the stick shorter. I thought it was a ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, December 3, 2014 9:25 am

Arts & Culture

Birding as a hobby offers connection to the innocence of childhood

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. I’m having one of those days when I can’t go through a ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, November 30, 2014 9:00 am

Columnists

Are they sweet potatoes or are they yams?

We’re going to need a bigger gravy boat. Maybe two. We interrupt Christmas and Halloween to bring you Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is meant to remind us of the ... Read more

by Al Batt, Wednesday, November 26, 2014 10:39 am

Arts & Culture

Telling the difference between sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks

My neighbor Crandall stops by. “How are you doing?” I ask. “Everything is nearly copacetic. It was Weasel’s birthday last week. I was going to drive to ... Read more

by Al Batt, Sunday, November 23, 2014 9:00 am

< Older Newer >

SportsPlus

  • Construction Updates

  • Financials


  • Southern Minnesota News Collection