I’ve never been a big fan of beer and the “hoppier” it is, the less I like it. Currently in western New York state craft breweries are appearing everywhere. They make beer with fruit, nuts, spices, coffee and chocolate. I haven’t developed a taste for those types of beer either. If I’m going to drink it, I want it to taste like a good old fashioned Bud. Quite honestly I couldn’t tell you the difference between an ale, a lager or an IPA. Continue reading ““Hoppy” or Not”
Looking at the picture provided by the National Day of Calendar for bird day I realize that the backyard birds I have in western New York state are not the same you might have in your backyard elsewhere. But birds are birds. I love watching them at the feeder, flying across the back yard from the shrubs that outline our property, and hearing them “talk” to each other.
I fill our feeder attached to the window daily, and the big hanging one about once a week. The blue jays, who always announce their arrival, and the quiet sleek titmouse come especially for the peanuts. Sometimes they scatter other seed on the ground, the doves and juncos clean that up so we don’t mind. We call the sparrows pigs because they eat anything, until it’s gone. I also throw scraps out for the crows; they very timidly approach the patio, pick up as much as they can carry in their big beaks, and fly off with it. When one arrives, if there are treats, they call to their friends and more crows land silently. I’ve read that crows bring presents to those that feed them, so far, nothing has been left for me. I’m still hoping.
When my granddaughter is here, she notices the bright red on the woodpeckers that visit the suet feeder. I still haven’t convinced the lady at the public market I don’t want loose chunks of suet when I buy it. They don’t stay in the feeder like a nice solid piece does. Once in a while we have a pileated woodpecker visit, they are the huge ones that look like Woody woodpecker. That’s a real treat to see them.
I guess my fascination with birds started when I was a kid and we often had a canary in our kitchen. I remember they usually sang when someone was doing dishes, and if my father whistled a tune to them. Currently, most of the rooms in my house have some sort of birds in them whether in fabric for the shower curtain, a quilt, photographs, paintings, needlepoint, on bells, and even the ceiling border. I’m fussy though, for decorating, I want my birds to be the correct size, color and shape for their breed.
Our cat, Useless, thinks it’s good we feed the birds, he catches the mice that eat the leftovers on the ground. I wish he’d chase away the squirrels that try to get in the feeders, but I guess they are too big to interest him. At least he leaves the birds alone.
So, do you know what kind of nuts are in the picture? Are they all tree nuts? Be honest. Did you think of the actual meaning of nuts when you saw the word, or did you think of a bit of human/animal anatomy?
This day is a compilation of recognized types of nuts. Almonds, walnuts, and hazel nuts are tree nuts. Peanuts are legumes. The pods develop underground. I had to look up the pictures to prove it to myself.
On to what you really thought of when you saw the name of the day. The more I write, the more I notice about human nature. Humans tend to see things in a sexual manner if at all possible. No, I don’t have any proof of that; it is just an observation.
Outside the stock exchange in New York City there is a huge statue of an anatomically correct bull with long horns and huge “hangy-down things” under the tail. When my adult son saw the statue he crawled under it to have his picture taken with the impressive pair. Guys do things like that just like they look at a pretty female. It doesn’t bother me. I’m human too and my mind goes that direction also.
The next time you want a good source of protein, grab some nuts to eat. Or, the next time you go to a baseball game, have a bag of peanuts. It’s tradition!
Sue Spitulnik 