Wiser’s Wramblings- An Embrasure is not a Friendly Hug

Remembering Mrs. Lillian Norton, archery battle positions, Friendship Hill, Texas Hots, Skunk season

By I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels

Pictured is Mrs. Norton with an unknown and unwell child

Right up front I need to make a disclaimer and apology if I am repeating something already published recently in my Wramblings. I often share pictures and “stories” to Facebook in addition to, and aside from, my Wamblings. If the first part of thisWrambling is repetitious please forgive me. At least I have chosen, or have rechosen, a very photogenic subject. I did go back through previous Wramblings to check but may have missed the issue that did cover this initially.

Sometimes my recollection of really old things has been warped or incorrect over the years. What I recall as one thing turns out to be something completely different. Much of my vocabulary, often complimented by others, was developed by my early thirst for reading. Some words and terminology were learned at a pre-teen and early teen stage of my life. Sadly, but often humorously I mis-recall things. One “mis-speak I have written about previously was the incorrect pronunciation of the word infamous. My pronunciation sounded as if it was the two words in and famous. Very quickly, but politely, that was corrected by Mrs. Lillian Norton, the Friendship Central School (FCS) nurse. Pictured here are Mrs. Norton and a school patient. I won’t name him, as some may recognize him, but as a challenge to those who may think he looks familiar but will still wonder who this now very recognizable, local school “celebrity,” is. I imagine that the picture, published in a 60’s FCS School Panorama yearbook was staged.

My most recent mis-recall was of the term “Sally Port”. My mistaken recollection was that it was a small square opening in a stone, castle wall used to shoot through. I was close, but what I thought were called sallyports were not. “The slits in castle walls were called “arrow slits, or also known as arrow loops, loopholes, or balistraria, which allowed archers and crossbowmen to shoot at attackers while remaining protected behind the narrow opening. For openings in the battlements (the notched tops of walls), the gaps are called crenels, while the solid parts are merlons, and these crenels could also function as firing positions, sometimes called embrasures, and thus that part of my Wrambling title.

In actuality, a sallyport is a secure, controlled entry way to an enclosure, e.g., a fortification or prison. The entrance is usually protected by some means, such as a fixed wall on the outside, parallel to the door, which must be circumvented to enter, and which prevents direct enemy fire from a distance. You now share that non-sensical recall of frivolous trivia.

I guess you’re never too old to receive lessons in life. Sometimes lessons learned are through painful experiences. As a toddler when you are told; “Don’t touch that, it’s hot;” you don’t understand what “hot” is. But, you learn quickly. Our recent experience with Identity theft and a fraudulent banking account theft has taught, or retaught, me the value, or more specifically necessity, of monitoring banking transactions and record keeping. More on that in more detail as I will expand on that topic a little deeper, further in this Wrambling.

I recently received a communication from an individual, who shall remain anonymous until, or unless, I receive permission to identify them. When I travel to Friendship from Scio, I typically drive on County Rte. 31, which was formerly, and formally, known as the Middaugh Hill Road. The locals of my generation referred to that route as the East Hill Road. That road does exist in that area, but it is actually a turn off from Middaugh Hill Road at the crest of the hill on County Rte. 31 which runs primarily at the top of the hill, and that road eventually leads southerly toward Inavale, with a side road turn off into Nile, NY.

The surname Middaugh seems to be one of, if not the most, common names in Allegany County. My first exposure and acquaintance with the name was through a 60’s classmate at FCS named Ruth Middaugh. Several years later my wife’s uncle Harley Hills used to refer often to a former classmate of his, named Vince Middaugh. I guess they had many pretty colorful experiences.

The Middaugh name is also, at least locally, well known for their horse pulling activities at county fairs and many other venues. I have also mentioned that surname when applauding the service provided by Cheryl Middaugh at the Texas Hot.

Cheryl is notable, not only for her excellent service at the Hot, but also for her charming smile and infectious laughter. She is one of the two Cheryl’s in my life that are adored by me.

Reverting to my teaser about my recent fraudulent bank account activity, I used to be very diligent in balancing my checkbook against the statements. I don’t recall ever finding any discrepancies other than when I might have inadvertently transposed some numbers, or having written the amount incorrectly into the journal. When I started using a debit card for a good percentage of my purchases, both online and in person, I wasn’t as diligent as it pertains to the “balancing act.” My logic at the time, now seemingly not very logical, was that the bank would tell me if the balance in my account wasn’t enough to cover the check written. I know! That is stupid, but any overdraft charges were minimal.

Fast forward to the event of my identity theft. Had I diligently kept up with my account balance by doing a monthly audit, the problem, most likely, would have been recognized much earlier than it was and would have saved me a significant amount of money. Color me embarrassed when I was asked the other day by the Community Bank officer if I balanced my accounts on a regular basis. My somewhat meekly, and overly misrepresentative; “not always,” was embarrassing. My query of the bank officer as to why the bank didn’t have some kind of “flag” on an account that received 20 or 30 small dollar purchases to the same company, on the same day, fell lamely on the floor as I realized that the weak excuse just “didn’t fly.” Painful yes! As of today, supposedly, there are no more fraudulent charges against my account out there. My fingers are sufficiently burned. Yes! Hot means Hot…Ouch!

Skunk season is again upon us. First one caught in trap last night. It is now safe in its new home.

Ok! I am two pages in (word processing format-wise) and I can now get to my planned agenda.

Planned Wramblings:

~:      I get to play “hide and seek,” or go on a scavenger hunt frequently. My wife moves the candy dish (with Carmel M&M’s) at least once a week as she re-organizes the kitchen.

~:      Six hours of sleep is normally sufficient for those of my age but 3:30-9:30 AM Is too much.

~:      Gotta love our language. I applaud those foreigners who can learn our language and  comprehend the differences between such words as illusive and elusive. It’s a challenge.

~:      My word of the Wrambling week is “Caterwauling.” Caterwauling is also used to mean loud complaining or whining. “Quit yer caterwauling” was definitely a phrase used in my family. I spell it “Catter-walling” as it’s easier to recognize it’s pronunciation that way.

~:      In 1983 I was blessed to have been offered a teaching position at Alfred State College (ASC), having suffered a former employer’s “purging.” My fortune was enhanced by having been a “night school” student for 8 years having earned both an “Associates” degree and later a “Bachelor of Technology” degree through the auspices of RIT, via Alfred State. I never received the “Professor” level salary of those who achieved their Master’s, or Doctorate level, BUT, I did receive far more than any monetary compensation could have, or would have, provided. Over the 24 years that I taught at ASC I was blessed with the presence of so many different “species” of students. I apologize if that term sounds so scientific, but there isn’t any better way to describe the multitude of their differences and characteristics. They were indeed an entire “family” to me. They were then, and many of them still are, friends in life and social media. Through the few many wonders of public forums, such as Facebook, etc. I have been allowed, NO…not “allowed;” but Blessed, to still have so many of them still providing me with the daily wonders of their friendship, and more importantly their progress as they grow and succeed through their adult lives.

I leave you now with my standard sign-off, and it is indeed an invitation that many have already responded to. Feel free to do the same. I am truly thankful and blessed.

   If you have any comments, questions or concerns email me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com