Squirrel history

True to my promise to impart some Wisconsin history, grab a cup of cocoa (with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon), put a pillow on your chair (but don't get so comfy you go to sleep halfway through this - I'll be very unhappy after doing all this research on my newly adopted state), and prepare to ENJOY a brief history lesson. If you didn't like history as a kid, too bad. This is good for you.
Ahem. Wisconsin's varied Indian tribes in the 17th century included some names you will certainly recognize: Winnebago (not Mini Winnies, either), Kickapoo, Potawatomi (doesn't that just roll off the tongue), Dakota, Fox, Sac, Ojibwa (ha! let's hear you pronounce that one!) This is for those of you who have found humor in trying to pronounce Puyallup (Washington's most mis-pronounced name - be grateful you don't live in Puyallup. Although Oregon's Willamette, Tillamook, Neah-Kah-Nie were all routinely mangled by sports announcers in my distant youth). But I digress.
The first explorers (Jean Nicolet) were French, in search of the NW Passage. Instead, the fur trade became the hot commodity of the region. In fact, Green Bay, as a fur-trading center, was a well-known name in Europe long before the Packers of current fame were a glimmer in Earl "Curley" Lambeau's eye. France lost possession to Great Britain during the French and Indian War, then Great Britain lost their claim as a result of the treaty ending the American Revolution. The fur trade continued as the economic foundation all during this era. See, your high school history DID sink in, you remembered about the fur trade, didn't you - admit it!
Anyway, in the 1820's the first wave of settlers came, for the lead mining boom (now I don't blame you if you didn't remember that one, I didn't even know you mined lead - I thought you got it at the hardware store in the form of sinkers for trout fishing...). This was also the beginning of the end for the tribes, who were uprooted and mostly sent west of the Mississippi. The Black Hawk War, prompted by the attempted return of the Sac people, ended with the Bad Axe massacre with less than 1000 Indians surviving. But, as in so many other states, the current tribal members, remnants of the tribes who negotiated reservations, are flourishing with large gambling operations. Boon or bane, decide for yourself.
The second wave of settlers resulted in the formation of WI Territory organized in 1836. Around 1840, a third wave ensued, drawn by the good farm land. These hardy folks made WI the nation's leading wheat producer. In 1848 WI became the Union's 30th state.
Now I have to comment on these settlers, because they are the basis of the "interesting" patois of language you have to decipher when you are not native-born. They came from all over Europe, bringing rich customs, cultural oddities, and particularly language in the form of accents that make conversation with our neighbors very - um, entertaining, uncomprehensive, baffling - well, we do try, and we're gradually assimulating some of it, doncha know! Poland, Germany, all the Scandinavian countries, and one in particular that affects us right here on the farm, Ukraine. More on that another time.
Now for the fun stuff. The Badger State's motto is "Forward", which is a head scratcher in some ways. We have found folks (and I'm talkin' born-and-bred, not us intruders so much) prone to an attitude of "We're doing it dis way 'cuz dat's da way it's always been done." But the medical community, PTL, is very progressive, some of the best in the nation.
The State Beverage (who knew) is Milk, but I think that's incorrect because any Packer Backer will go the the grave proclaiming it's BEER!
SIDE NOTE: the Packers and the SeaHawks are facing off this afternoon, with snow flurries for decoration. There was a Packer Pep Rally yesterday, and 10,000 die-hard fans showed up! This was after the seats were snow shoveled - anyone can show up for that duty, $8/hr. There's my extra chocolate money! Oh, wait -I'm headed for Phoenix in a few days.
Back to titillating facts. Hey, did you know the American Water Spaniel is one of only 5 dog breeds native to the US? As the only one native to Wisconsin, of course it is the State Dog.
Betcha you can guess the state dance - no? Polka, of course! A requisite for any wedding reception, doncha know! Dat der dance was the highlight of a party two farms down the road from us (that's how you measure distance here) last summer, we got to listen to top quality LIVE polka music for several hours - really had our toes twitching...
And if you don't know the State Song, bow your head in shame and be flogged with string cheese - "On Wisconsin" is a required piece for any high school band in the nation - ask Amanda.
State Wildlife Animal? Corn fed White Tail Deer. Also the source of car insurance rates being higher in the rural areas rather than suburban, as in more civilized states. Rates are figured by the number of deer strikes per 1/4 mile - no lie! One good thing, though. If you and your vehicle survive, and the deer doesn't, you can haul it into a Wildlife Check station, usually the nearest gas station, get it stamped, and take it home for the freezer! In fact, Brent went out of his way to prove the efficacy of this method of hunting vs shooting, by bagging a nice 6-point just before New Year's, with only one headlight and a minor hood dent involved on the pick-up. Nice!
Well, that's enough for today, don't want to burn out your dendrites in one sitting. Did you figure out the title yet? Squirrel history - history in a nutshell. Ha! Gotcha!
If the Packer's win, I'll treat you to a post on how they got their name. And why the whole state is wall-papered in green-and-gold. Pray for the Seahawks....