Red oaks, Chex Mix, John Deere, and Halloween come together in Wiser’s world
By Chuck Wiser, I Write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
The night or morning before I begin my Wramblings writing, my head swims with words and topics swirling around therein. During the course of the weekdays leading up to the Thursday writings I make notes as reminders, even if just to get the ideas written down and removed from my head. I’ve decided to expand the topical title of Grammer Groans, to add the often present facial reaction of “Grinning,” which occurs as some thing or a topic pleases me that much. Today’s topic to lead off describes the 2nd shortest grammar word, led only by the letter “A” in brevity. For the past several days I have recalled all of the uses that the word “To” adds to our lives. This is meant to be enlightenment to all, and to those too “serious” to wonder how to get to a conclusion of my Wrambling topic to start.
In English grammar, the word “to” most commonly functions as a preposition or as an infinitive marker (particle), and less frequently as an adverb. When “to” is a preposition, it is followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. It shows a spatial, temporal, or logical relationship. When “to” appears directly in front of a base verb to form the “to-infinitive,” it acts as a grammatical marker (often called an infinitive particle) rather than a preposition.
Grammar lesson ended, now I will Wramble on.
I often mention my “car kept” note pad where upon I make notes whilst on my travels. I interrupt this writing to go get the notebook so as to not overlook all those significant topics…NOT!
The 1st noted thought concerns my autobiography focused on my “Nile history. With apologies to Bill and Charles, it is in the works but not ready yet. It will be coming soon. It was delayed this time by that humungous word “To.”
The first, next, topic concerns driving habits, or lack thereof. The southern end of Back River Road here in Scio connects to Cty. Rte. 31, and has a stop sign; (invisible to some I might add). Cars approaching from the southern end departing Cty. Rte. 9 are on their main thorofare and have no obligation to signal their going around the bend when headed west. However, occasionally, when I have stopped and am waiting for traffic on the main route to clear, before advancing, a car headed into the bend will signal a left turn. This is not an obligation, and perhaps not even legal, but it is a much appreciated “courtesy,”
Whilst still discussing driving habits, it amazes me as to how many drivers are not aware of the fact that they can “turn right” at a red light (After stopping) if no approaching cross traffic is coming. I confess to occasionally “honk at them” to wake them up. Sometimes it works and sometimes it also receives a “one finger salute” from the car ahead of me.
One more “road story” and I will travel on. A couple of times recently whilst traveling Interstate Rte. 86 headed west, I will see a small black thing on the road directly in front of me and start to apply my brakes. As it then has quickly moved across the road it dawns on me that it is, or was, the shadow from a large bird like a large hawk or Bald Eagle passing overhead.
One or two further notes on those western travels (or east), on the local roads preceding Rte. I86, is the observation that the “passing”, or “no passing” lanes are curiously designed and marked. I often wonder if the experts that decide the location and length of those markings, actually travel the roads prior to their “painting.” Some seem “very” incorrect to me. Lastly is the visit to the Walmart shopping mecca in Olean where the typical shopper in that store is/are especially cordial and outgoingly friendly. Very few of them passing by in an aisle will not make eye contact and smile, nod or even comment about having a nice day. My reply to that is “they assured it.”
“Tis the season…for Chex Mix. Each year we make what I refer to as “the Wiser Blend” of Chex-Mix. You can buy it “generically” as a snack food prepackaged by Gardetto, but ours is better in that we add a few more components than they do. Our Wiser Family menu includes; both Rice and Corn Chex, Cashews, Almonds, and “thin” stick pretzels. We then “drizzle” a little Worcestershire Sauce on it stirring it in thoroughly. We then bake it to cook the flavoring into it completely. We often make a double batch and share some of it with our family and neighbors.
My John Deere Lawn Tractor once again gave me problems. The seat has a built in “safety switch,” that turns the tractor motor off when you get off the seat. After having had to replace the Brake Safety switch last month I didn’t expect any other issues. I put a new seat on the tractor and its design, despite being for that model had the interior foam layers thinner and raised up higher so that it did not make contact (by a lot) with the switch that controls that safety feature. After tinkering it for quite a while, and needing to run it, I disconnected the seat switch and wrapped the two wires intended to go to the switch together so essentially it by-passed the switch. Tractor started right up, runs great, and I don’t need the “safety switch” other than the one that’s in my mind telling me to turn off the tractor before exiting it. In winter use for plowing mostly, the mower deck is off anyway and so whether the engine shuts down or not is insignificant. Just a little “Wiser Wisdom” there.
Next to follow are a few odds and ends made for past Wramblings, but which had been left out.
1st up is; Why do people talk to themselves out loud? I find myself doing it and am consciously aware that I’m doing it. I believe I do it physically to “hear the voice of reason.” Another, perhaps more logical explanation is to embed or record something “in your mind” that you truly want to recall or remember at a later time. In my case it could include a Wrambling topic, or how to spell or pronounce a word or name, or just to confirm and “record” something you had just done, or said. In a way it is like the learning to memorize song lyrics for something that will be performed.
When I was a member of the Maple City Barbershop group we sang all music “off book”, which means that it is sung from memory, and not out of a handheld music book or “music score.” SATB Choral works such as performed by the Genesee Valley Chorus are typically performed with music in hand. In that case a director is often “directing” the singers to “Look at him.” 🎶The directors primary job in leading the singing is to indicate the rhythm of the tune and to physically show song lyric “cut offs” and other physical traits like volume, continuous flow of phrases etc.
In my opinion they are not paid enough to cover the actual physical needs, of the music nuances.
Here is a confession, or at least affirmation, of my physical attributes and faculties as I am nearing the end of my first Octogenarian year. I have described the history of my “cursive writing” and even formal “Lettering” giving all credit to my mother for writing and Nancy McDermott for the lettering. I have noticed and acknowledge that my hands and the finger coordination are a little on “the old” side. Especially in the morning both writing styles suffer and I fight to keep them legible, at least a little better than a “scribble.” As the day progresses the “shakiness” becomes less noticeable. Sometimes having a beverage (past noon of course, as it now is) Adds steadiness.
The colors of fall are upon us, In my aforementioned Olean trip I marveled at the colorations of the trees on the distant hills. They didn’t seem to have a very wide variety and almost all looked like common oak trees with orangish colored leaves. I didn’t need to wander far from home to see the most colorful tree of all.
The photo above is a tree from our back yard shows a “Red Oak”. There are two of them, both the same size and only twenty feet apart. I love them. My wife wants them to be gone. They are very young and my belief is that they would be easy enough to dig or scoop up despite being on the edge of the old Waterway ditch in our back yard. If anyone is interested, you can contact me via my im.wiserdad@gmail.com address or my other one if you are privileged enough to have or know it.
I do like them however and may be able to tell my wife that I tried, no one else wanted them
With the eve of Halloween looming over the horizon I want to wish every one the joys and colorfulness of the holiday, but to also add the reminder that travelers on that night, especially on town or city streets be extremely careful not to strike those “weener-teeners” or the even younger ones, the numbers of which are in the majority. My admonition to those out filling your candy bags show all due respect to those who are not able to donate to your “Trick or Treating” and keep in mind that some people in those houses that you visit, are older, and perhaps not able to get the treats for you, or to jump up and answer the doorbell when or if it rings. Be respectful and courteous, especially to them and don’t soap their windows or destroy any property. My mother, may she rest in peace, often told about the vehicles that they put up on the top of a roof. The buggies (and maybe even old cars) of that generational year were easier to disassemble and re-assemble on a roof I guess.
Happy (and safe) Halloween to you all. Make the Goblins be with you, but only figuratively.
My earlier invitation to reach out to me is still in the offering. I thank Andrew and the Wellsville Sun forthe opportunity and privilege of sharing my thoughts and Wramblings with you all.
You can reach Chuck Wiser anytime to reflect, call him names, or give him ideas for his future ramblings. He’s got thousands more in him, email anytime: chuckwiser@roadrunner.com
