Woodworth: Late hummingbirds coming through - get your feeders out
Something on my desk has eaten the almanac. I would like to blame it on the new modem, but I think it was gone before then. I would have sworn that I really don't use the 'net very much, but I found out that I do. Over the days I was waiting for the repairman, I must have tried to go online a dozen times a day.
Not knowing how computer things work, I thought, except for email, it would be no problem. I could use the WI-FI that is on the laptop. No, it is hooked into the modem. I am not being fancy by having WI-FI. The Boy and family set that up when they were home for Christmas.
It seems that all their devices, including phones, need it to keep them connected with the world. It seems like a lot of trouble for the world, though I have used it a time or two. In fact, I set up the laptop all by myself. (Yes I am bragging, not much else I can do except what I have been taught.)
I had to go to Paducah this week. Notice that the trees are starting to turn. Not many, just a touch of yellow and red here and there. The small maple tree on the corner of Mill and Lincoln has died. I went by the other day to see how beautiful it was.
It has always turned early, always red and orange. I don't know what happened, but I will miss its autumn splendor.
No one wants to pay taxes, but we must and would like to know when Saline County residents will be getting them. (Not that I am an admirer of Williamson County, but the tax bills were delivered there in May.) The word from the treasurer's office is that tax bills will be mailed, maybe by Oct. 1. Some office somewhere, maybe a state one, has the bills. The treasurer's office is the last in the process. When that office gets them, we will.
Though I know blue herons are not reptiles, when I see one flying, I always think pterodactyl.
The late hummingbirds are coming through. Get your feeders out so they have some energy to keep flying to their winter home.
I keep my bedroom very dark, but when I roll over and look out the door, I expect to see the sun coming from the kitchen windows. I don't like my normal "get up" time being dark. I had a meeting the other night and came home in the dark. I have been so accustomed to daylight until late that I haven't yet trained myself to turn on the back light. I hate late-morning light and early-evening dark.
If your nose itches and you have dumbbells in your hands, be careful. Be very careful.
A couple of summers ago, I had some trees cut down. I hated to do so. I never have enough shade and I like trees. The cedars were old, some 40 years, very tall, and one was very close to the house and garage. Unlike the palms we watched blowing in Hurricane Irma, cedars do not bend. They break. The migrating birds had discovered them, and I got tired of having to wash the patio every day just so I could walk from the back door to the car. I tried owls, beating on a pan - my neighbors were kind and didn't complain about the noise - but nothing worked.
I really had no cause for complaint. The small town of Pilot Rock, Oregon, population 1,500, has a turkey problem. Flocks of wild turkeys have taken up residence. Can you imagine 15 turkeys roosting in one of your trees? One citizen reported that she counted 65 in her yard. They dust bathe in the yards and eat everything in sight - sounds worse than deer. What to do.... One option considered was a spay and neuter program. I've never heard of catch and release for turkeys. Fish, yes. Turkeys, no.
That solution was not considered feasible. A wild turkey, especially one who has dined on fresh veggies, would make a good meal. It seems to me that a turkey hunting season would be a good thing. I would imagine area food pantries would be glad for the meat.
I feel bad that I fussed about a tree full of blackbirds.
"That's life. You set your alarm for 6 a.m. and the worm sets his for 5:30 a.m." (C. Schultz)