Penny wise, party mix, scanner chatter, thank a US Veteran
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels, pictured during his US Navy days
Preparing for this issue of Wramblings I made a note (several) to myself and used the contraction cont’d. That prompted my mind to see what other words were abbreviated or contracted like that. There are a few and some others are: gov’t → government, dep’t → department, nat’l → national, ass’n → association, sec’y →secretary, int’l → international, e’er → ever, o’er → over, ne’er → never, o’clock → of the clock, o’er → over, ne’er → never.
Google, or AI (Artificial Intelligence) didn’t like several of that above and signaled with a red wiggly “underlining” suggesting that they were incorrect and needed corrections.
I have a sense that a good portion of my Wrambling today will be Grammar Groaning and Grinning cont’d, as several other examples of other language suances keep popping into my mind. Another recent example of questionable “Auto-defect” warnings includes the word “suances” written a few words back. I use or say the word “suance” quite often.“Their” grammar check is puzzling as the grammar gods replied to my query saying “The word “suance” is not a standard English word. It is most commonly a typographical or spelling error for “nuance” (a slight shade, subtle difference, or fine distinction in meaning, tone, color, or feeling) or a typo/shortening for “issuance” (the act of putting something out or making it available, such as a license, document, or debt).)
It is possible that I have been using that word in speech or my writing’s erroneously. My usage means something a little different than that defined for the word nuance. I could be wrong on both counts. Now there’s another “phrase” (on both counts) often used by me. Google says the term used above means: Saying that “on both counts” or “they failed on both counts,” it means that a statement or action applies equally to two distinct issues or ideas.
I will depart from the English lessons and move on by addressing other non-grammar topics like the abandonment of “penny usage.” In November 2025 the US Mint officially discontinued the making of new pennies. No more are being “minted,” or made. I still have dozens and make sure that I have always at least one in my pocket. I don’t like change back in pennies when I pay for something that is 4 cents over or under the actual price. I will give a “checkout person” one penny so as not to receive 4 pennies back. That practice often confuses the “cashier” people. Recently they are automatically “rounding” up or down to make the cost go to the nearest larger or lower cost amount of change no less or more than a nickel. “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
That often-used phrase, translated, means that: keeping your money by not spending it is just as valuable as making that same amount of money through work. Because unspent money stays in your pocket for future use, saving is treated as an equivalent to earning. It is a classic maxim that encourages thrift, financial discipline, and avoiding unnecessary expenses. “Penny wise and pound foolish” is another common phrase, at least to those of us relating to our “aging memories.”
My favorite snack choice has once again been added to our snack cupboard. The 2026 batch of Party Mix has been completed. My nibble snack is back. We will often make a 2nd batch to share with family, friends, or neighbors.
There is a commercially available “similar” product made and sold by Gardetto. It is known as “Gardetto Chex Mix,” It is OK, as the generic brand name item.
Our mix includes both Chex and Rice Mix cereal; Cheerios, Gardetto Garlic Rye Crisps; Cashew bits and pieces; Roasted and Salted Almonds; and Thin Pretzels. Occasionally we might also add in a couple more little snack items like the “small, orange colored” Cheezy cracker like snacks. After all of the dry ingredients are added and mixed together, we drizzle an oil like liquid that consists of Vegetable Oil, Garlic salt, and Worcestershire sauce stirring as we add the liquid to distribute it through the dry mix. We then bake it at a temperature of 250⁰ for two hours, sometimes removing it from the oven for one additional stirring. It is delicious and I could devour the entire batch myself. I particularly like the thin pretzels ingredient. We have previously tried substituting “waffle” shaped pretzels instead of the “Thin,” but they are a little too bulky to absorb the oil flavor. Now I’m hungry.
Receiving many phone calls recently and watching a little TV, I have observed that the pronunciation of words having certain letters like “I” are spoken with a long vowel sound instead of the soft vowel. A word such as my last name is incorrectly pronounced with an “it” sound rather than an “eye” sound. It. changes the sound pronunciation from Wise-r to “Wisser,” sounding like “whim or wizard.” There was a word that I heard spoken on my car radio recently, and it triggered this topic. The word was civilization. Hearing the word said out loud it sounded like “Civil-eye-zation.” That vowel sound mispronunciation appears to come from initially non-English speaking individuals. I say that “Toung-in-cheek,” as I was once corrected by Mrs. Norton, the Friendship Central School nurse, when I used the word “infamous” as pronounced like in-fame-ous instead of in-fa-mus, with the soft “A” sound.
Well, we thought our bank account checking problems were over with the acquisition of a “credit-card” to replace/use for on-line purchases Community Bank account managers suggested that the credit card was safer and would allow a better chance of refund if my banking ID was again stolen. I had only used it a couple of times for online purchases when I received an email message from the credit card company that they had blocked my usage due to a “security risk” issue. Over the long haul of several months, we continue to have credit/debit card use problems. I guess “we” are going to have to make purchases only when, and where, they accept cash or check. It is rather embarrassing to have my “card declined” notice, at checkout, when the card was read. I have been using cash when and where I can. I don’t like carrying “large denomination” bills of paper money.
My first use of the St. Bonaventure (Bonnies) basketball “season pass,” was a mixed blessing from my “in stadium” participation. The game was nip and tuck throughout, but the Bonnies lost by a slim margin. Why? Easy answer. The Bonnies missed 12 foul shots, at least twice what the score differential was. The game was enjoyable to watch but ended in frustrating fashion. Bonnies are also missing a tall(er), strong player. There is one player not in action at this time, most likely out due to a pre-season game or practice injury.
I am still concerned, now that AI (Artificial Intelligence) has become more and more infused and indoctrinated into our lives.
If you go to “Google” for an explanation or interpretation AI intervenes with suggestions to what they deem as the correct spelling or use. They are sometimes implemented automagically without your knowledge.
I was first against its use even as far back in the 90’s during my Alfred State College teaching days when it was a mere fledgling in implementation, as small changes recommended a function. It is now inconvenient and irritating. My real concern is for the impact that it has in public, or especially on military equipment implementation and use.
Just an observation regarding Facebook article postings. When consulting my Friends list, the “Show All” designation shows many more friends who were born in the months of December and July. My 1st thought was that the births were a result of seasonal “love making” when the weather was conducive to or triggering that. The theory was debunked considering that the monthly birthday result was for one month of the hotter days and one of the coldest months. Regardless, I am honored to have so many “Friends” there-in. I am particularly overwhelmed with joy when one of my comments or posts draw a “Like” or “Love” response by friends reaching ll the way back to my teaching days. They know who they are, so my thanks to you come from my heart.
Locational Note: Most of my leaves are now “over the bank” as they are deposited on the outer edge of the old railroad beds and ditch, once used to fill the BOANGA Club pond. I use a leaf sweeper for picking up most of the leaves, but I do mumble to myself when considering that only one leaf source is from our trees, with leaves not on my property usually contributing to my collection duties. Oh well! The leaf sweeping gives me a little outdoor exposure using a riding lawn mower/tractor. It reminds me of thoughts of others, riding around on a motored device doing the work whilst I/They sit back and let the device “Do the work, while giving my ass a ride.” Forgive the vulgarity but that makes the phrase a little more accurate with descriptive accounting.
Scanner Calls– One of the more interesting ones lately was that of a “250-pound propane tank” that was struck by a vehicle, and which was now over the roadside embankment. That would have created a virtual “bomb like” explosion in many other instances. I applaud and appreciate those who are mostly “volunteer,” that respond to those calls endangering themselves by providing their services to protect, or help, us all through many dangerous exposures. Grandson Ethan Graves is one of those people. Love goes out to him and all the other volunteer emergency services individuals. One other related observation is regarding the “age grouping” population that emergency services respond to. The linkage of emergency responses is usually germane, but not always. Hearing of the very young individuals involved is particularly saddening, especially when the situation doesn’t match “generically” with their age.
All of the fall leaves have pretty much fallen. Veteran’s day is right around the corner and so I will share my “salute” to all veterans with this “two-pack” of poetry. One more leaf pickup and I should be done for the year. Thanks also to the one Robin that still blesses us with its presence. Some, but only a few, hang around “year a round.” My last chirp is for them 😉
If you have any comments, cares, questions or concerns email me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com
In honor of all Veterans, I leave this gratitude message to them/us with a “pair of poems.
