By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
Photo by Dan Jordan
I take and keep copious, clear, and well organized pre-writing notes as I build on each weeks content for my Wramblings. The inset picture attests to that as you can see. Although my handwritten “Lettering” has become a little shaky lately as I age, these notes portray the downfalls, in addition to safety, of Wreading and Writing as you drive. BTW, only the most wrinkled are from that source and I did pull over to write on the long narrow page. This collection doesn’t show all, just the neatest of my copious notes.
I don’t want to give off the impression that I’m a patriotic “mushy – softy”, but I experienced a heart melting experience on a recent trip to Olean as I listened to the radio. I forget what particular station I was listening to but it was likely one of the FM news stations or Family Life. As I paused in my “channel surfing,” the man talking was summarizing the history of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. His story featured of course Francis Scott Key, and how he happened to be at the site where the events inspiring his writing were generated. A “clip” of its history that follows, explains it. “The words are from a poem that was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. During the War of 1812, on September 13, 1814, Key watched a night-time battle between Great Britain and America that took place in Baltimore, Maryland at Fort McHenry.”
Upon conclusion of the historical story of the song, also now known as our National Anthem, the song was played on the radio. As I sang along with it, it brought tears to my sentimental eyes. As I explained that to Dave Toot, Choir director at Grace United Church in Wellsville I told him I tested my voice “pitch range” by singing the song in the highest Tenor, almost Soprano, voice range. On a good day I can sing, maybe not well, a range from highest tenor to lowest bass. I guess all of those years of smoking (from about 12 years old until 1971 when I quit) didn’t affect my voice.
On my trip to Olean Yesterday (Wednesday) I stopped by the Rite Aid Pharmacy to pick up some prescriptions. There was a note on the door advising that “Due to the shortage of staff, store hours would only be until 6 PM that day.” Having a pretty good rapport with the staff I commented to them about the sign and added that I didn’t see anyone that was “too short” to handle my pharmaceuticals. Cheryl piped up saying it was describing her. I replied something along the line that “In my eyes she was one of the tallest people there.” And, she is, from a service stand point.
As long as I mentioned Rite Aid, I might as well disclose my disappointment that the Walgreens drugstore took over Wellsville. My medication prescriptions had been relocated to The Walgreen “chain” and that’s about what it is. It only took a couple of “screw ups” to convince me to switch my account back to Rite Aid. Why not? I travel to Olean nearly every week anyway.
Speaking of Olean again, as I drove past The Store in Scio recently, I noted the gas price of $3.10 per gallon at The Store. That was almost 20₵ cheaper than most other area “low priced” outlets even that at the Reservation in Cuba. If you are looking for an out-of-the-way shopping location I suggest that you stop by the Scio store. You might be surprised.
I have mentioned the Wroads that Wramble through our area a couple of times and fully expect to do a complete writing on that subject in the future. A close example is right under my nose, and that still makes it a pretty long distance. It is County Rte. 31 between Scio and Friendship. It’s getting harder to distinguish the old route of the road as vegetation, including fully grown trees, changes the landscape. I once was able to see where the old road used to pass by, on the left, of the Cucumber Ladies residence, which is located a little way past the Hunter and Palmer roads off Rte 31. The road used to connect with the East Hill Road which cuts across the hill from near the Friendship Rod and Gun Club toward Wirt and Inavale. One of these days I would like to walk up over the hill in an attempt to follow the old route. I have many other locations where that is also a possibility.
In that regard I envy and admire Craig Brack, the one time Allegany County Historian, and his passion and ability to research and dig into a topic gaining a wealth of knowledge about any and many things. Craig has presented his topics at nearly every venue possible in our area and beyond.
Speaking of “presenting,” I would like to give another shout out to Eagle and all things Wildlife, professional photographer Dan Jordan (Jordan Photography). Dan will be making a presentation at Letchworth State Park January 18th. As noted on the Letchworth State Park Winter Lecture Series poster, Dan will discuss “Chasing Eagles: Learn about our nations symbol through the lens of Professional Photographer, Scientist, Conservationist, Writer and Educator Dan Jordan”
I interrupt this message for an aviary update. Just now, as I was typing, I heard a loud thump from the sunroom/kitchen area. Upon investigating I found a small residue of feathers on the window overlooking the kitchen sink. As I stretched and looked out the window to see if anything was lying on the deck a Coopers or Sharp Shinned hawk flew up from the ground between the house and garage and flew away toward their refuge in the area between here and the Genesee River. All I could see was the tail end of the Hawk with its “catch” in its grip. Never a dull moment here in Wiser’s Wrambling – Wonderland.
Here’s a picture of another raptor from Dan Jordan. This possibly shows a view from the other end of what I saw just moments ago.
Making a few random comments to close today’s Wrambling…
– Clothing manufactures ought to install a small beeper on the zipper of men’s trousers to alert of “open door” as with a car.
– Have you noticed the courtesy afforded you when trying to back out of an “up close” parking spot at Walmart?
– Pedestrians crossing a street, by law, are supposed to have right of way. What is the rule for pedestrians crossing a street that you are making a turn onto? Their common sense is not present.
– When putting a lunch dish into the microwave the other day I told my wife I “Nuked it.” She replied: No you didn’t, you “Miked it.” I like her common sense.
-To end this; She got the name Wiser from our wedding vows. She was born to be wiser though.
If you have cares, concerns or comments; or an item that you would like to have me research and discuss, please feel free to send me an email at im.wiserd@gmail.com. Many thanks to those whom have reached out to me in the past. I am humbled, and most appreciative for the number of people that actually read my Wramblings.
