Now I know why the mockingbird sings.
Some of you may remember my love/hate relationship with the avian family that shares our location -- especially our back yard. (See Noise, June 15, 2015.) A native Texan, I've lived my entire life among mockingbirds, except for the long months we lived in Augusta, Georgia. I know mockingbirds thrive in Georgia, but in my world of city buses, a high-rise apartment complex and a noisy, crowded downtown office building, I never saw or heard one. They welcomed be back when we returned to Texas.
I've always loved and respected the mockingbird. I remember studying Texas history and memorizing the state song, flower, tree and bird. He has amazing intelligence, talent and entertainment ability. During daylight hours, I enjoy his companionship. Our battles commence soon after the sun sets and heavy darkness descends. If he is seeking a mate, he sings all night, hoping she will be drawn to his vocal range and extensive repertoire. If he has a mate and she is sitting on a nest of newly laid eggs, or if she is tending hatchlings, he sings all night to give her comfort and assurance that he is nearby. I get it. That's logical - even admirable. But if I'm desperate for sleep, and he is singing from a shrub beside my bedroom window, I lose all compassion and understanding and rush outside with a broom to thoroughly thrash his perch.
But a little handicapped girl has shown me the error of my ways. She says the mockingbird sings because he is scared and lonely in the dark. He cannot see any of his friends. He's afraid they may have all flown away and left him. Sort of like whistling in the dark, he sings to bolster his courage until the darkness passes and daylight returns.
And so I've piled more pillows on the bed. I'm going to put them all over my head when the mockingbird sings at midnight outside my window.
Quote: God created the birds of the air and sees the fall of every sparrow.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
WET NEWS
Our paper boy has unerring accuracy or dismal pitching skills depending on one's viewpoint.
Yesterday morning he tossed our newspaper in the only 4-inch-deep puddle in our front yard. One foot in any direction and he would have missed the deep water completely. This rain puddle was part of the 12 inches dumped on North Texas by Tropical Storm Bill as he pushed across the state. The paper was in a plastic sleeve, but the end was open, so the water rushed in creating a dripping, soggy mass of recycled paper and printer's ink.
Refusing to be denied our daily dose of up-to-the-minute news, King and I spread the sheets all along the cabinet tops, washer and dryer in the laundry room. After plugging in my hair dryer, we took turns every time we passed by at the boring job of blow-drying the pages -- a job only slightly more stimulating that watching paint dry.
Yes, I know today's hepcats have electronic information available 24/7 on various devices. King and I could read our morning paper on the computer, I-pad or Smart Phone. But we're old-fashioned. We like to sit at the breakfast table and divide the paper into sections. He begins with Sports, and I choose Life and Arts. We trade back and forth until every word is read. King even reads the classifieds. Not me. There I draw the line. I'm not seeking a job, a boat, a cutting horse or a supply of Mary Kay.
King cannot start his day until he knows how the Astros' game ended. Also vital to him are the current levels of all the area lakes and which species of fish are biting. I search for any item about the Cowboys or the Rangers, as well as what's happening at Bass Hall. I'm compelled to complete all three crossword puzzles, the Jumble and the Scram-lets before I undertake chores and errands.
By late evening, when the paper was dry enough to read, we discovered the ink had bled into a blurry mess. The only thing legible was the headlines. These included:
Quote for today:
Love, not time, heals all wounds. ~ Andy Rooney
Yesterday morning he tossed our newspaper in the only 4-inch-deep puddle in our front yard. One foot in any direction and he would have missed the deep water completely. This rain puddle was part of the 12 inches dumped on North Texas by Tropical Storm Bill as he pushed across the state. The paper was in a plastic sleeve, but the end was open, so the water rushed in creating a dripping, soggy mass of recycled paper and printer's ink.
Refusing to be denied our daily dose of up-to-the-minute news, King and I spread the sheets all along the cabinet tops, washer and dryer in the laundry room. After plugging in my hair dryer, we took turns every time we passed by at the boring job of blow-drying the pages -- a job only slightly more stimulating that watching paint dry.
Yes, I know today's hepcats have electronic information available 24/7 on various devices. King and I could read our morning paper on the computer, I-pad or Smart Phone. But we're old-fashioned. We like to sit at the breakfast table and divide the paper into sections. He begins with Sports, and I choose Life and Arts. We trade back and forth until every word is read. King even reads the classifieds. Not me. There I draw the line. I'm not seeking a job, a boat, a cutting horse or a supply of Mary Kay.
King cannot start his day until he knows how the Astros' game ended. Also vital to him are the current levels of all the area lakes and which species of fish are biting. I search for any item about the Cowboys or the Rangers, as well as what's happening at Bass Hall. I'm compelled to complete all three crossword puzzles, the Jumble and the Scram-lets before I undertake chores and errands.
By late evening, when the paper was dry enough to read, we discovered the ink had bled into a blurry mess. The only thing legible was the headlines. These included:
- Governor Abbott approves $800 million for border security
- TCU falls to Vanderbilt
- Cowboys face summer without Dez
- Trump boasts wealth as he launches a presidential run
- Former minister goes to trial for sexual assault of a child
Quote for today:
Love, not time, heals all wounds. ~ Andy Rooney
Friday, June 5, 2015
NOISE
My ears are sensitive to noise. Noise bothers me -- unless it's the noise of a party and I'm invited.
Two neighborhood dogs bark incessantly. It's annoying. The engineers sounding the whistle on the trains that come through town at midnight, 2 am and 4 am cause me to sit up wide awake in bed. The thud of the boy next door bouncing his basketball from school's dismissal to bedtime makes me climb the wall. The wail of the fire trucks and ambulances sets my teeth on edge. But all that noise pales in the face of my new aggravation - a friendly, talented mocking bird.This feathered menace is proud of the safe, twiggy home he established for his family high in a large nearby tree. His nest sways on a spindly limb that no predator can reach. I admit he's smart, has a beautiful voice and displays great imitative skill. During the daylight hours, I love to hear the many bird calls he copies flawlessly. I smile when he says, "Meow, meow."
After a long day of assuring his family that he is alert and on guard, he must rest his vocal cords and replenish his calories. Beginning at dusk, he is blissfully silent. But around 11:00 pm, just as my head hits the pillow and I seek sleep, he warbles again with renewed vigor. My tolerance for noise plummets.
The spot he chooses for his nighttime vocalization is a large shrub near my bedroom window. Banging on the wall doesn't faze him. Running out to the patio shouting, "Hush now! Do shut up!" only encourages him. Sometimes I take a broom and beat the branches of the shrub. Thankfully he relocates. Just as I'm back in bed, he returns to his favorite perch and tries out new melodies. That bird plucks my last nerve. What's a poor insomniac to do?? Suddenly I wonder if fried mocking bird tastes like chicken.
This morning I see that his babies have left the nest and are aligned in a row along the top of the fence. My heart melts and all is forgiven.
*~*~*
Message to my grandchildren:
Keep the fire in the belly -- stay hungry. Stay humble. Kick butt.
Monday, June 1, 2015
ALAS AND ALACK!
The King of the castle is sick - long live the King.
To say my husband is ill is the understatement of the year. Over the past five months, we've been frequent visitors to our local hospital. We had four trips to the ER - one by ambulance with flashing lights and screaming sirens. We hit every pothole and ran every red light in order to arrive in time. We've had two trips to the cardio/vascular department. The King has had a heart catheterization, worn a portable heart monitor and had a defibrillator implanted in his chest. He progressed (or regressed) from ingesting zero drug prescriptions to a total of seven.
With the heart problems under control, a semblance of order began to return to our lives. Then the other shoe dropped.
The King developed a pinched sciatic nerve. The unrelenting pain drove us to the ER once more. Standard pain meds were ineffective. Our primary care giver sent us to a center for spinal disorders where we received a glimmer of hope. The surgeon knew a procedure that might free the nerve from pressure and stop the pain. Eureka! The downside is that the prescription meds soared to nine.
We continue in a holding pattern - holding for approval to receive a myelogram - holding while the surgeon reviews the results - holding for his decision to operate or not - holding for a surgery date and location.
Meanwhile I'm dealing with chores and emergencies that the King would ordinarily handle. Things like lawn and garden care, automotive service, storm-damaged trees, a large swarm of honey bees all fall under my jurisdiction. And I'm unprepared!
Get well soon, King!! You're burning daylight!
Today's quote:
The surest way to destroy a man is to pay him to do nothing. ~ Anne Fortier
To say my husband is ill is the understatement of the year. Over the past five months, we've been frequent visitors to our local hospital. We had four trips to the ER - one by ambulance with flashing lights and screaming sirens. We hit every pothole and ran every red light in order to arrive in time. We've had two trips to the cardio/vascular department. The King has had a heart catheterization, worn a portable heart monitor and had a defibrillator implanted in his chest. He progressed (or regressed) from ingesting zero drug prescriptions to a total of seven.
With the heart problems under control, a semblance of order began to return to our lives. Then the other shoe dropped.
The King developed a pinched sciatic nerve. The unrelenting pain drove us to the ER once more. Standard pain meds were ineffective. Our primary care giver sent us to a center for spinal disorders where we received a glimmer of hope. The surgeon knew a procedure that might free the nerve from pressure and stop the pain. Eureka! The downside is that the prescription meds soared to nine.
We continue in a holding pattern - holding for approval to receive a myelogram - holding while the surgeon reviews the results - holding for his decision to operate or not - holding for a surgery date and location.
Meanwhile I'm dealing with chores and emergencies that the King would ordinarily handle. Things like lawn and garden care, automotive service, storm-damaged trees, a large swarm of honey bees all fall under my jurisdiction. And I'm unprepared!
Get well soon, King!! You're burning daylight!
Today's quote:
The surest way to destroy a man is to pay him to do nothing. ~ Anne Fortier
Saturday, April 25, 2015
REMEMBER
As we approach Memorial Day, I've been thinking about Old Glory and the men who fought and died to keep her flying.
In times of triumph, trial and tragedy, our citizens unite under our flag. Deep in our bones, we recognize the flag's meaning, the price paid for all it symbolizes, and the special place it occupies in our culture and conscience.
To commemorate Memorial Day, we're going to have a little quiz. Quickly, How many wars has the USA fought from 1775 to the present? How many military deaths have occurred? What was the cost? That's a big challenge, so I'm going to supply the answer as presented by the American Legion Magazine, May, 2015.
WAR AMERICAN DEATHS COST
Revolutionary 1775-1783 4,435 (1770's dollars) $101 million
Barbary 1801-1795 &
1805-1815 35 $l million
War of 1812 1812-1815 2,260 $90 million
Indian Wars 1813-1838 &
1866-1890 1,000 unknown
Mexican 1846-1848 13,283 $71 million
Civil 1861-1865 646,392 $3,182 billion
Spanish/Amer. 1898 2,446 $283 million
Philippines 1899-1901 4,200 unknown
Mexico 1914-1919 21 unknown
World War I 1917-1918 116,516 $20 billion
Cold War 1947-1991 0 $4.65 trillion
Berlin Airlift 1948-1949 $224 million
Korean 1950-1953 36,574 $30 billion
Vietnam 1965-1975 58,220 $111 billion
Lebanon 1982-1984 265 unknown
Grenada 1983 19 unknown
Persian Gulf 1987-1988 0 unknown
Panama 1989-1990 23 unknown
Gulf War 1990-1991 382 $61 billion
Iraqi-Kurdistan 1991 5 unknown
Somalia 1992-1994 43 $221 billion
Haiti 1994-1996 4 $2 billion
Bosnia 1995-2004 1 $14.83 billion
Global War on
Terrorism 2001-present 2,355 unknown
Kosovo 1999-present 5 $9.56 billion
Afghanistan 2001-present 2,215 $825.7 billion
Iraq 2003-2011 4,491 $820 million
Operation Inherent
Resolve 2014-present 3 $8.4 million
On May 25, 2015, respectfully remove your hat, place your right hand over your heart, lift your eyes to Old Glory and thank God for every person who has ever served in our military forces.
Quote:
A war by any other name is still a war.
In times of triumph, trial and tragedy, our citizens unite under our flag. Deep in our bones, we recognize the flag's meaning, the price paid for all it symbolizes, and the special place it occupies in our culture and conscience.
To commemorate Memorial Day, we're going to have a little quiz. Quickly, How many wars has the USA fought from 1775 to the present? How many military deaths have occurred? What was the cost? That's a big challenge, so I'm going to supply the answer as presented by the American Legion Magazine, May, 2015.
WAR AMERICAN DEATHS COST
Revolutionary 1775-1783 4,435 (1770's dollars) $101 million
Barbary 1801-1795 &
1805-1815 35 $l million
War of 1812 1812-1815 2,260 $90 million
Indian Wars 1813-1838 &
1866-1890 1,000 unknown
Mexican 1846-1848 13,283 $71 million
Civil 1861-1865 646,392 $3,182 billion
Spanish/Amer. 1898 2,446 $283 million
Philippines 1899-1901 4,200 unknown
Mexico 1914-1919 21 unknown
World War I 1917-1918 116,516 $20 billion
Cold War 1947-1991 0 $4.65 trillion
Berlin Airlift 1948-1949 $224 million
Korean 1950-1953 36,574 $30 billion
Vietnam 1965-1975 58,220 $111 billion
Lebanon 1982-1984 265 unknown
Grenada 1983 19 unknown
Persian Gulf 1987-1988 0 unknown
Panama 1989-1990 23 unknown
Gulf War 1990-1991 382 $61 billion
Iraqi-Kurdistan 1991 5 unknown
Somalia 1992-1994 43 $221 billion
Haiti 1994-1996 4 $2 billion
Bosnia 1995-2004 1 $14.83 billion
Global War on
Terrorism 2001-present 2,355 unknown
Kosovo 1999-present 5 $9.56 billion
Afghanistan 2001-present 2,215 $825.7 billion
Iraq 2003-2011 4,491 $820 million
Operation Inherent
Resolve 2014-present 3 $8.4 million
On May 25, 2015, respectfully remove your hat, place your right hand over your heart, lift your eyes to Old Glory and thank God for every person who has ever served in our military forces.
Quote:
A war by any other name is still a war.
Monday, April 20, 2015
PALO PINTO PARK
Once fully developed, this 4000 acre tract, rich in wildlife and botanical diversity, will join the more than 90 parks in the Texas system.
About 50 miles down the interstate from our home is the turn-off to the newest state park in Texas -- the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. "Mountains" might be a slight stretch for these hills and canyons, but hey, this is Texas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the land with the intention of attracting visitors to camp, hike, stargaze, mountain bike, fish and ride horses.
Over the last 5 years, state park visitation has increased 10 percent. In 2013 alone there were more than 8 million visits to our parks. A recent impact study by Texas A&M showed that Texas parks generated more than $774 million in sales and supported about 5,871 jobs within the state in 1913. The state spent $74 million for state park operations, and $44 million was recovered by earned revenue. So the state's net investment was roughly $30 million which is the equivalent of about $1.13 for each Texas resident. Our parks help support our economy.
A recent poll found that 92 percent agree that parks are important to families needing an affordable recreational outlet; 84 percent view parks as essential to healthy, active lifestyles. Also 80 percent acknowledge the need to protect natural areas. The majority agree that we must do what we can to sustain a viable parks system. The poll showed that 70 percent of voters support a constitutional amendment to permanently guarantee that revenues generated from the sale of sporting goods will go to support state and local parks.
Ensuring proper, consistent funding for our parks is good for Texas and for Texans.
Quote: The best way to solve your own problems is to help someone solve his.
About 50 miles down the interstate from our home is the turn-off to the newest state park in Texas -- the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. "Mountains" might be a slight stretch for these hills and canyons, but hey, this is Texas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the land with the intention of attracting visitors to camp, hike, stargaze, mountain bike, fish and ride horses.
Over the last 5 years, state park visitation has increased 10 percent. In 2013 alone there were more than 8 million visits to our parks. A recent impact study by Texas A&M showed that Texas parks generated more than $774 million in sales and supported about 5,871 jobs within the state in 1913. The state spent $74 million for state park operations, and $44 million was recovered by earned revenue. So the state's net investment was roughly $30 million which is the equivalent of about $1.13 for each Texas resident. Our parks help support our economy.
A recent poll found that 92 percent agree that parks are important to families needing an affordable recreational outlet; 84 percent view parks as essential to healthy, active lifestyles. Also 80 percent acknowledge the need to protect natural areas. The majority agree that we must do what we can to sustain a viable parks system. The poll showed that 70 percent of voters support a constitutional amendment to permanently guarantee that revenues generated from the sale of sporting goods will go to support state and local parks.
Ensuring proper, consistent funding for our parks is good for Texas and for Texans.
Quote: The best way to solve your own problems is to help someone solve his.
Friday, April 17, 2015
SEROTONIN
Do you suffer from "moderate to severe" sadness, tension, lack of energy or motivation? Countless Americans do.
Mood-related issues keep doctors, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists busy dealing with suffering patients. Why?
Modern life dictates that many people are exposed to almost constant stress. Our electronics are always on stimulating our minds day and night. We deal with increased traffic congestion, the roller coaster stock market, the possibility of terrorist attacks and the whims of Mother Nature. Our bodies are constantly revved up and ready to take action.
Health experts believe that the results of this unrelieved pressure is that our supplies of serotonin -- the brain's feel good hormone -- are constantly depleted. A lack of serotonin allows anxiety and worry to take over.
To help you stay calm, positive and focused, try these natural serotonin boosters:
QUOTE: For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
Mood-related issues keep doctors, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists busy dealing with suffering patients. Why?
Modern life dictates that many people are exposed to almost constant stress. Our electronics are always on stimulating our minds day and night. We deal with increased traffic congestion, the roller coaster stock market, the possibility of terrorist attacks and the whims of Mother Nature. Our bodies are constantly revved up and ready to take action.
Health experts believe that the results of this unrelieved pressure is that our supplies of serotonin -- the brain's feel good hormone -- are constantly depleted. A lack of serotonin allows anxiety and worry to take over.
To help you stay calm, positive and focused, try these natural serotonin boosters:
- Get some sunshine. You need at least 20-30 minutes of sun 3 times a week. Take a walk outside if you can.
- Exercise. Aerobic exercise triggers serotonin production.
- Eat fatty, cold-water fish like salmon or tuna 2-3 times a week. Or take a high-quality fish oil supplement. St. John's Wort works for some. And serotonin is available over-the-counter in tablet form.
QUOTE: For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.
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