Grammar and the scanner this week from Wrambler
I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels.
Yesterday I used the term “close weather” in a Facebook post having heard the term and felt the effects. I then teased that I would explain it in today’s Wrambling. It’s unlikely that anyone is now turning to this writing to follow up on my comment, but if you did, thank you 😉.
“Close” when referring to the weather, means that the temperature/dew point spread are not far apart, or close. If the temperature and dew point are the same, one type of fog is created. Many people feel very uncomfortable when the dew point is 70 Degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and the air temperature is close, or the same, at which time the weather is considered “close”.
I have heard the term describing someone as “being an old soul.” I guess given my age and constant recollection of things, especially language and grammar related to the past, I would describe myself as being that.
If you’ve read more than one of my Wrambling’s then you surely know my passion for our language, it’s oddities, and its humor. And yet, I find our language intriguing and wonderful.
This past weekend we had the honor of attending our Grandson Brendan Graves, and his new bride Kiera’s wedding. During the celebration my mind wandered as I pondered writing about the event and the celebratory activities. That term celebratory rang my grammar interest bells realizing that other related words with the “celeb” root were all pronounced differently. Celebration, celebrity and celebratory all start out sounding the “cel” syllable part the same but then veer off to their own unique sounds.
Today’s title teases a little on the similar sounding but differently spelled weather and whether, and the identically spelled “close,” as in “close the door,” and “close” as in “close weather.” As long as it sounds the same as well, I will change into some clothes that suit the close weather and decide whether to describe the weather and close this topic. Ok, Groan now if you wish.
This last personal note to readers reminds me of a few novels that I’ve read, wherein the author speaks directly to the reading audience within the story of his or her novel.
Speaking of reading and novels, my reading lately is experiencing the opposing feelings of both enjoyment and pain. My recent ailment, called Occipital Neuralgia, affects my reading, making it somewhat difficult as looking down to read makes it painful as my neck “clinches up” as I return my vision up and off the book. The other day I found a couple of unread, recently written, novels by a favorite author C.J. Box. Once I start reading one of his books it is difficult to put it down.
In my personal and Facebook conversations I discovered that many of my friends shared my reading interests. As we continued discussing the various authors and books, I decided to create a group on Facebook dedicated to sharing author/story information. I created the group FAME which is open to the public. FAME is an acronym standing for “Fiction, Action, Mystery Enjoyment.” You can find us on my Facebook page and ask to join if interested. All are welcome.
I was a little premature a couple of weeks ago announcing what I thought was the departure of our cherished summertime aviary visitors. After mentioning it then, there was a slight resurgence, most likely from passers-by migrating past us from visitors further north. Not having seen any of the Orioles, Grosbeaks or Catbirds over the last four days I think I’m safe in saying that they are all gone.
One bird species that puzzles me is that of the Evening Grosbeaks. Until just the past couple of years we would see them once or twice a year as a whole flock would frequent our feeders over a two or three-day span. They then would disappear. What puzzles me about them is that they are reported as being around in the north, year-round. We have puzzles that my wife has assembled showing them on bird feeders covered in snow. If they are still around during the winter, I have no idea where they go or congregate. Sadly, we haven’t seen any of them in a couple of years. Speaking of things not seen; We haven’t seen a single Indigo Bunting this year. I think last year we saw one very early in the northern migration but then no more that year. With none this year, what a shame. Given the rarity of their visits in the first place, we especially miss them.
Now Wrambling on with some other things I had noted to discuss.
One of my favorite Cartoon/Funnies of the Sunday papers was the Nancy and Sluggo cartoon. Several years ago, for some reason, the caricatures were changed or modified. I’m not sure if the original author passed on, or the illustrator changed or for whatever possible reason the artwork of the characters changed. It was not for the better. Now, within the last couple of weeks the illustrations have changed again. The caricatures are even worse. The characters, primarily Nancy and Sluggo, are now illustrated with unusually large “bug eyes.” They are terrible! I can’t even stand to look at the faces any more. I wasn’t sure why the first change a couple of years ago, but this recent change is weird and “eerie.” They now look like some unearthly creatures.
Context of the Scanner Calls remains concerning. I am amazed at the influx of calls regarding elderly people that have fallen and need lift assistance, but even more concerning is those reported as unresponsive. Some of these Dispatcher call announcements go unanswered through several repeated call cycles. Another concern to me is the extremely high volume of calls citing domestic disturbance or violence. Many feature the preteen children that are “out of control.” Also, too many of these are from locations that have called in several times over the past several months. Another grouping of frequent disturbance calls recently include those from neighbors expressing their concerns for “man and woman” yelling at each other in the house next door. I think back a few years and am thankful that my neighbors were either old and hard of hearing or far enough away so as not to overhear our over heated “discussions.” I confess. I may have yelled a little loud a couple of times over the years. It didn’t do me any good, as I was still wrong and lost my argument.
Sadly, many of the “disturbance” or “domestic” calls repeat over and over again at the same locations. I (and responding EMT’s) can list any number of locations where emergency service was requested repeatedly. Spellcheck/Grammar correct didn’t like my above comment. It should have a “conversational” mode vs “business mode” so you can get away with writing as you speak.
Another recent component of emergency dispatch calls centers around the combination of remote ownership of properties and camps by “big city” folks and how they monitor their properties with motion activated cameras and trail cams. Blink is one that comes to mind as I had initially purchased one to use as my backyard motion activated device but didn’t use it as it requires an addition for charges on your phone bill.
Slipping back into my teaching mode, for those not familiar with the motion activated devices, they detect motion and start (or continue) recording. IFR (Infra-Red) and PIR as noted below, allow after dark, unlighted, detection and recording as herein described. Some cameras have full time vision using “Activity Zones” which can be viewed on your phone or device to show what is actively, and currently going on. In a typical event without Activity Zones enabled, the camera uses the Passive Infra-Red (PIR) sensor to detect motion. If a person or critter walks past the camera, that person has a different temperature than the background image that the PIR sensor has been looking at and it triggers a motion event. And activates the camera. Individual pictures or videos can then be recorded.
I had the opportunity to use my compass the other day. No, I did not seek directional information or confirmation, I was trying to draw a circle or arc with my “drafting compass.” Technically it is called a “pair of compasses.” That terminology has often plagued me but sitting here contemplating, I think I may have come up with the answer as to the use of the term. The “drafting” compass (pair) was instrumental in charting and navigating on sea faring journeys. The “Compass” showed direction. I can envision the ship captain’s call out for “his compass” resulting in getting stabbed by the sharp pointed end of his “pair of compasses.” “Ahoy me lad, hand me the damned directional compass, and full speed ahead.”
I was listening in the other day as my wife was watching QVC, which is a more updated type of online shopping network similar to the older Home Shopping Network (HSN). I had to chuckle as the “hostess” proclaimed that “You are actually saving more than you are spending.” NOPE! I am saving the entire amount as I am not spending anything.
I will close this edition of Wiser’s Wramblings with a poem written in 2016 to celebrate exactly the feelings that are starting now as the leaves start turning and birds start leaving.
Late edit…There was just now one female Oriole on the jelly that we have left out just in case there’s a straggler or two. This one is likely just passing through. Thanks for your visiting my Wrambling and once again I welcome your reading and invite any questions, comments, cares or concerns with my writings or for a topic that you would like me to investigate and Wramble on about. I can be reached at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com
