Say that phast…. still waiting for the Orioles….
By Chuck, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
Phirst Phix that is in order is that of my twice mentioned 50th Anniversary Genesee Valley Chorus (GVC) concert date. For some reason, nor any other than a Brain-fart (I apologize), I mentioned our concert in at least two previous Wramblings in a row that the concert was going to be on June 4th. When I mentioned something about the date to Dave Toot at GVC practice last night, he advised that the date of the concert was actually June 14th and that the 4th of June was a Thursday. Whoops!
I sincerely apologize if anyone reading my post actually marked the 4th date, as I suggested, in their calendar. It IS June14th and there will be a second performance later in Bolivar, NY at the invitation of Norene Ferris and her Women’s singing group. We are blessed to be able to perform this eclectic mixture of music, based on historical suggestions from chorus members citing their favorite songs previously performed at some time over the “first” 50 years of GVC’s existence.
I have been blessed, and truly honored, to have been a charter member of GVC in 1976 and have continued, albeit with a couple of breaks over the years, to have been, and still am allowed to sing. I will share more on my personal perspective as the performance date draws near.
Please Note: If you marked June 4th as the performance date as advised, please update it. The list of performers, still in the area, that were previously members are invited to re-join, so as to participate in the milestone activity. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday evening starting at 6:30 at Grace United Church on N. Main Street in Wellsville. Anyone with the joy of singing, and especially those former members, are invited to join, or rejoin, for this joyous, historical trip of the past 50 years. You don’t have to be a musically trained singer, just to enjoy singing.
Later, I will discuss the “F” sound of words starting with the letters “Ph”. Herein, the “Ph” level of a substance is a chemical term applicable to the chemical characteristics of a substance. Chemically, materials (substances etc.) are divided into 3 separate groups. Acids, one group, are most likely the most recognizable. Salts (Like NaCl-Sodium Chloride-the scientific notation) which include table salts but many other chemical elements, most of which contain that designation, like Epson Salts, are the most common. The “Basic” chemical term is the most confusing as they are elements that are neither acids, nor salts, but can be a combination of both. Generic scientific terminology such as what I learned in high school did not yet include some of the materials now referred to as “basic.” Ammonia, Chlorine, Hydrogen, Acetone, Flourine, Peroxide (Hydrogen Peroxide) are all considered “Basic chemicals”, but typically are mixed with others to create other, more well known chemical substances. Sodium Chloride, more commonly refered to as salt is one such combination of chemicals, referred to as “Basics” despite their household name of “Table Salt.”
I couldn’t help myself there. While looking for a “simplified” explanation, it got quite scientifically complex. I didn’t want to go into “teaching mode”, but I couldn’t resist. Some chemists might disagree with my simplified explanation, even if technically not “foolproof.”
But, “I live to learn, and teach to earn.” I wish I had thought of that phrase during my teaching days. I may one day use that to replace my current motto I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels.
This week’s Grammar word is “Lamentation,” which came to me in the “Quaker hymn” song, “How Can I Keep From Singing,” currently being practiced by GVC as one of the songs which will be featured in the 50th year musical celebration. The song starts out; “My life flows on in endless song above earths lamentation.” According to my Google reference search, “Lamentation” is the passionate, outward expression of grief, sorrow, or regret, often characterized by wailing, weeping, or mournful songs. It refers to the act of mourning, such as at a funeral, or a profound complaint regarding a tragic event, such as in the biblical Book of Lamentations.”
It’s a nice song but it has a couple of “repeat” sections of; “la la la la la’s” that go on for several measures in a very upbeat rhythm. I have a difficult time keeping track of when to stop “la-la- ling.” Typically I will count the number of repeated terms and count them mentally as we sing. In this song that is difficult (for me) as there are so many of them, 38 to be exact. and that is just in the lower voice part as the higher voices start with their la-la’s. I run out of fingers used to count them on.
Not counting as a legitimate Grammar Groan, is my own concoction, namely “Frugalisticism.” That is a word describing the characteristic trait of being “frugal.” all of the time. I call it frugal, others call it “cheap.” I started my life having very little in the order of possessions but I had plenty of love from my single parent mother to make up for the lack of other “material items.”
The bird migration is under way, and we anxiously await the return of the Grosbeaks and Orioles. By the end of the month or in the first week in May we should be seeing them. The locally residential year round birds have started changing their colors to the brighter summer mode. This brings to mind the misleading name for the “Chickadees.” Most, my wife included, say that the name derives from their typical “song.” I think they would be more aptly named if they were called “Flutterdees.” As their wings make a very distinctive sound of their wings rapidly fluttering as they depart from the feeder.
Springtime also brings the repeat of raccoon visits to our back yard. We have already had one. The squirrels; red, grey, and black, have also increased their scavenging with repeated trips to our sunflower feeders.
Most local area road floodings and washouts hopefully have reached the downside of the annual occurrence, especially in the Northern Allegany County towns such as Canaseraga, Fillmore etc.. Spring snow melts and early spring rains combine to overflow the stream banks and to wash out sections of road and/or at bridges where downed trees get caught creating a mini-dam (or damn if you are affected by this).
Setting the “politics and people aside,” which I wish we could do literally instead of figuratively, the prices of gasoline once again have skyrocketed, even or especially, locally. One such is disturbing to me,
As well documented in my previous Wramblings, I often travel to and from Olean on my shopping excursions. Normally, one of the benefits of that is the ability to buy gas at the Cuba, NY, reservation location. Earlier this week I did so and the price of gas was $3.99/gal. That was very surprising, AND disappointing to me as that was the same price as gas was selling at that price here in Scio. The gas sold at the “Native American” service stations are not subject to some of the taxes as paid at other traditional gas stations. Part of the reason for the current higher Reservation gas price, as explained to my by one of the attendants at the Cuba gas outlet, is that, despite being in Allegany County, they price out by being lower than the prices in the “Catt” County city of Olean, where prices are always higher than in Allegany County. I’m not sure which side is more disappointing to me, but I lean toward that of the reservation as they are gouging, despite getting the tax relief. I will buy it in Scio next time I need gas.
I started to compose a poem using the many words that start with the sound of the letter “F” but are actually more phonetic (get it?) by starting with the “Ph” letters. Some of the local candidates were phundamental. How about a few listed but not yet in poem phormat. Some of those are phrustrating. Let me know when you have had your phill of these. Eventually I will include such words as; phunny, phulfilling, phoreign, and phinally bring an end to this pheature.
I think the letter “F” was created to shorten words previously spelled/written starting with “Ph.”
Phollowing on, to continue the “Ph substitution for the “F” words” that infected my brain, (Sorry again) As I was driving back home “all the way” from Wellsville to Scio, today my mind was phull of words that had the “F” sound but were in phact not F’s but indeed “Ph” words. I guess the ”Ph” level of my writings “Basically” (if you are a science or engineering nerd), has gone up considerably.
I will wrap up this week’s Wrambling with a previous year’s image of the “Phlicker” pheasting on the suet cake. I haven’t seen any yet for certain, but yesterday I swear I saw one pecking away at one of the trees on the back side of our acreage, adjacent to the old B&O Railroad bed ditch.
I apologize for the numerous repeats and hope you indulged my nonsense to the very end as this is where I offer my thanks for your loyal readership
A couple of times, again this week, the introduction of my name when asked to do so, resulted in the heartwarming question asked; “Are you the guy that writes those Wrambling articles in the Wellsville Sun?” Yes, I reply proudly. Generally, they will respond with a complimentary comment and for which I am blessed and inspired to continue writing and will Wramble on in perpetuity; same place, same day, every week for as long as I can.
If you have any cares, concerns, questions or comments please feel free to reach out to me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com. Thank you for wreading my Wrambling’s.
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