The birds are gone, sports season is here, singing, banking, groaning
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
Every time I think the term “Go Bills” I think of a liquid beverage that was popular among the “frugal” (cheap) among us. That inexpensive beverage was a “go to” selection in our camping days. This “low cost” beverage, which many would say was also low quality, was fairly common among the families that we camped with at the Deer Run Campground.
This inexpensive beverage was available from 1873 Until distributed by Stroh’s and then The Pabst Brewing company until it was finally discontinued at the end of 2005.
“Go Bills” is in my vocabulary, is ageless, and hopefully carries on until I no longer think, walk, or breathe.
Over the period of a few weeks, I had been struggling with a virus that had infected my Laptop computer, which has become an invaluable tool used especially in my Wramblings. It finally got to the point where I was beginning to think that McAfee and “Wave Browser” were the only programs in my computer. I reached out to my “go to” computer repair specialist Keith Loines doing business as “Keith’s Honest PC Repair” in Wellsville NY, and he “cleaned up” the mess and got me up and running once again. Keith, is an MBA “Information Specialist” for Alfred University (AU) as his main job but does Computer service and repair under his own business name when not working on AU duties. I might also mention that his rates are very affordable.
I’m afraid that the Hummers “have left the building’ as the phrase goes. Those were the last of the migratory birds to go but they have been gone for just a couple of days now. Our “Fall” fall-back is our devoted and dedicated Cardinals. There seems to be an abundant new crop of those around now. The “gold finches” have now lost their bright yellow “foliage” and have slipped back into their duller winter colors.
That covers two of the three topics hinted at in my title so now I can “Go-To” the St. Bonaventure Bonnies for a bit. I became a fan of the Bonnies back in the late 50’s and early 60’s and have been a dedicated follower ever since. My mother signed me up for an Olean Times Herald (OTH) subscription in the 60’s while serving in the US Navy, primarily so I could follow the Bills and Bonnies. Of course, the papers weren’t received “day of” but then again, I don’t always read them “day of” now anyway. On a sad note… There isn’t really a “day of” anymore anyway. OTH is no longer available on a daily basis and in fact has been reduced to Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday production. I typically let my reading lag a little so I can have something to read every day with my morning coffee. Often times I will read the “news” half of the paper one day and the “sports” half the next day. I got out of the habit of reading the paper as an evening relaxer during my Alfred State College teaching days as I had commenced day and night classes both at first as a “student” and then as a teacher that served a large number of local industrial companies doing specialized manufacturing and computer related training through out the area. I may pick up on that topic again someday in the near future.
I dearly miss my teaching days. I formally retired in 2008 but kept the training programs going.
I veered off the path I was intending to take just now so will get back to the Bonnies update.
For many years now I have intended to become a Bonnies Season Ticket holder. I wanted to last year but I had an ongoing Wednesday night commitment and the Bonnies play a good portion of their scheduled games on Wednesday nights. In lieu of a “Season” ticket I purchased what they call a “Flex Pack.” With that option you could purchase a number of games and pick and choose which ones you wanted to include in the ”pack.” That way I could save my Wednesday for my other commitment. Currently I no longer have that conflicting commitment so I did become a season ticket holder. In order to “see what I was getting,” I went to the Bonnies ticket office and looked for the package and price that would suit me. I had to pay the slightly higher season pass rate but it was still reasonably priced for what you get, and the enjoyment that it brings. This basketball season you can find me in the Section 207 red seats section in a fairly decent location. Given my knee and back issues I had to carefully select an area and seat where I can stretch out a little. Go Bonnies!
The Genesee Valley Chorus (GVC) has re-commenced rehearsals for the upcoming 2026 Fall and Winter season and then leading into the 2027 season. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to about 8:30 at the Grace United Church on North Main Street in Wellsville. Members aren’t required to be musical professionals, and most aren’t but what we share is a love of singing and sharing our music. If you are interested, and know a (GVC) member,, you can reach out to them or just show up at the church a little before 6:30 next (or some) Tuesday and we can get you signed up and have you join us. All Are Welcome!
In an attempt to keep clothing costs at a minimum, although it doesn’t seem that way, there are a number of cost cutting measures. The one’s most bothersome to me are the shortening of zippers and the width and depth of pockets. I have a difficult time getting my wallet into and out of my back pocket. Size is one issue but another is the way they are produced. I don’t know of an alternative but pockets are assembled to put the “seam edges” on the inside of the garment. That is reasonable, and I can’t think of a way around that, but coupled with the diminished size it is nearly impossible to get things out of your pocket, especially if you are in a hurry. Going through a fast food outlet drive-thru window, you better have your wallet out before you approach the payment window. I evan have a difficult time getting my wallet out of some pants pockets when the pants are held by a clothes hanger. I don’t fold my “slacks” over the bottom leg of the hanger I put the hook end through one of the belt loops, thus allowing the slacks to hang straight eliminating the fold crease in the pants leg. I often attempt to get my wallet out of the last pair worn if I need to get my debit or credit card out to record the card number for a purchase.
Speaking herein about a card purchase, my recent debit card account hacking still haunts me to this day. I had to cancel all “then-current” accounts and start new ones. Having done that, all of my wife’s online purchases information had to be updated. I followed the advice of the Community Bank associate and signed up for a credit card, which I would rather not do, but which is much safer (per them) than of using my debit card for online purchases. I carry and use a debit card for “in person” purchases but limit “online purchases” to the credit card only. Now I (We) need to be a little “judgmental” (and frugal) in our purchases and expenditures.
The Bills Are Back. This past Sunday offered a hint as to just how exciting the coming football season featuring the Bills is going to be. Sunday’s game was as exciting as you can get, made even more enjoyable as they managed a win. Some of the off-season pickups really produced what was expected of them and justifying their acquisition. The game see-sawed until the very end. After it was over I sat back in my recliner (from the former “edge of my seat” position) and took a deep breath. I’ll bet they could hear me in Belmont at the end of my Back River Road location in Scio.
Almost forgot to add this…Bills will be playing a rare Thursday night game tonight as a Thursday Night Football game tonight against the Detroit Lions at8:15 p.m. It’s “Live Streaming” so you will have to check your viewing options
I’ll wrap up this Wrambling with a couple of “old time” phrases as a substitute for my Grammar Groan, albeit you may groan a little as you read them
* “Close the damned door! Were you brought up in a barn?”
* “Busier than a one-armed paperhanger”
* “As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs”
* “He’s got a face that could stop a clock”
* “If brains were dynamite, he wouldn’t have enough to blow his nose”
If you have any comments, cares, questions or concerns email me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com
