Wiser’s Wramblings-Paws Applaud and Birds Aflight

Grosbeaks, Bob’s Market, and results from the SPCA golf outing

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

Two of the topics of my Wramblings this week are from those, or which, have their feet or paws on terra firma, or can fly above. Before I go further, I feel obligated to mention that “spellcheck” doesn’t seem to recognize the terra firma phrase as it highlights and offers suggestions for changing the “firma” portion to “firm or firmer.” As you know by now, I love to use some of the archaic words and terms. Terra Firma is from Latin language meaning “on solid or firm ground.” Its etymology is from the early 1600’s and the writings of poet-playwright Ben Jonson. As I pause to reflect on the paws I smile at the use of two words that sound exactly alike but which are spelled differently and have meanings that are different.

Throughout the spring and so far, this summer, I have often mentioned our aviary visitors. Some have already started their migration south, an observation presumed by the change in dynamics of who or what visits our feeders. With the exception of one very young male Grosbeak, the males have likely departed. There are only a few adult females and a half dozen or so juvenile females. The Orioles have been frequent visitors but the past couple of days indicate that most, if not all, adult males have also headed south. Hummingbirds have been noticeably successful in the breeding season this year. All early signs are that we are going to be blessed with a plethora of new Cardinals, all of whom will “winter in place.” These will bless us with their company all through the fall and winter and beyond.

Sitting in the Sun-Bird Room earlier this morning I began my wonderings as to which birds migrate and why they do. The nectar or non-solid feeding birds go south each fall/winter for the obvious reason that there is no nectar or even bugs available to them. The Orioles are not seed eaters, but they do eat insects in addition to the nectar or especially in the sweets in form of Jelly. The birds that can survive the winter by eating bugs and insects, and even vegetation like Sumac, or that which can be found under the bark of trees, with the exception of the Grosbeaks, will hang around all winter.

Some writings regarding the migratory habits of the birds suggest that the Cardinals have adapted their innate instincts based on the availability of sunflower seeds provided by humans at their feeders. There is some indication that at one time they too had migrated. The Grosbeaks are a wonder to me as they eat the same “on-ground foods” as the Cardinals, but they still choose to migrate.

By all indications the fruit harvest this year, where not interrupted by recent hail storms, or aviary activity, is and will be prolific. The apples on our trees are plentiful and large. If we are lucky the Bluejays may leave some of our apples for us to enjoy. Those aware of my dislike of that particular species of birds understand why I despise those birds. Nearly every day I discover 3 or 4 apples which have been pecked at, and which pecking resulted in their falling onto the ground. The birds won’t go down there and finish the job, they just go to another apple yet untouched, on the tree. I scare them away as best I can with loud noises but were they not a protected species I would handle them in a different manner.

On a similar note, we have dispensed 28 Chipmunks and given courtesy rides to 13 raccoons. This past Saturday night saw another unwelcome visitor. The first evidence was from the disappearance of our large suet cake basket. When I pulled the Trail Cam memory card to check, sure enough there was a video of a large bear. It was most likely the same one seen previously this year plodding across the yard headed toward the Railroad impoundment ditch that is our eastern border with the Knights Creek and the Genesee River wildlife area. The large white object sticking out from its mouth tells us where the suet cake made off to. Fortunately, the bruin was able to get the suet cake out of the hanging feeder, which was found on the ground. Unlike last year it didn’t take the holder with it when it left. The feeder basket needed a little TLC but it survives.

As I write about these “creatures,” I need to be careful to remain “gender neutral” so the pronouns which might be easier to use, may also, unknowingly, be incorrect. I don’t want to make the “he bear” mad because I referred to it as a “she bear.”

I hi-lighted the word “write” above to remind myself that I wanted to once again write about writing. Having stopped by Bob’s Market, once known as Bill Simon’s place, this morning, where I now purchase my summer vegetables, a conversation regarding learning was interesting. My own gardening has not been very successful with my own little garden plot suffering from my lack of preparation and maintenance. Maybe more on that another time. As Bob counted out my change doing the Math in his head, I commented about the disappointing lack of ability of so many, that could not have done that not understanding simple basic mathematics and/or how to handle minor manipulations based on their memory or knowledge. Not having a calculator or computer would be disastrous these days. If you pay for an item priced at 6 cents or 11 cents as the ending numbers and you hand a penny to the cashier to avoid getting 4 pennies back it absolutely blows their mind. Another customer joined our conversation by proclaiming that parents and teachers are not doing their jobs of teaching the students anything. A nearby lady customer turned toward our conversation group and proclaimed, “I am a teacher.” Whoops!

Never wanting to be one that doesn’t offer his “two cents” and tell his personal story, I related how much my mother added to my education by teaching me “my numbers” and how to write cursive. The lady that had joined our conversation added that they no longer teach cursive in school. Had it not been for my mother I would likely still be in the second grade at Richburg Central School (if there was one). I was threatened with having to repeat the 2nd Grade if I didn’t learn cursive. My mother sat with me for hours teaching me how to write. I learned well.

I write exactly like she did and with what is often complimented as being beautiful flowing “script. I pride myself on that. A few years ago, I learned that you cannot write a note in cursive to a current school age student, as many of them cannot even read it, much less write it. My secondary method of written communication, that being “lettering,” or “printing,” was taught to me by Friendship Central School art teacher Mrs. Nancy McDermott.

Sadly, my aging is producing a little “unsteadiness of the pen.” It bothers me to see that my once firm steady flowing lines of writing are now just a little “wiggly.” The lines don’t flow any more. Cursive is affected mostly, but I can get by with lettering/printing which is typically done using firm straight lines to create “block like” letters.

The early signs of transition from summer to fall, depending on your outlook, are either promised or threatening warnings. My pool temperature, without a solar blanket, was holding in the 80’s just a couple of weeks ago. Lately the temperature has been warming a couple of degrees during the day but now struggles to reach 80 degrees and will fall back down with the overnight coolness.

The 15th annual SPCA of Allegany County, Robert Hutter Memorial “Scramble for Animals” golf tournament was held August 11th at the Wellsville Country Club. 16 teams signed up for the event. Many participants have played year after year and the SPCA appreciates their continued support. Despite the occasional shower the tourney was enjoyed by all and was for a great cause. I wasn’t able to hang around for the dinner and awards presentation, but a summary of the winning teams provided by the SPCA Staff is as follows:

The SPCA of Allegany County is grateful for the support of the golfers and thanks to all the people and businesses that sponsored a tee or a cart and those who donated prizes to our event….and of course we cannot forget our volunteers who came out to help!   PAWS UP!!!!

I will end this Wrambling with the invitation to address any cares, concerns, suggestions or comments directly to IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com