FOGEYISMS’ HONOR ROLL--

I have absolutely no idea how many people may read my blog. But, the following folks have shared with me they enjoy the blog on a daily or regular basis.

You are the audience I envision when I am constructing and publishing my daily items.

Thank you for being loyal participants in this marvelous hobby of mine.

And please take a bow. Naturally, you all share the common trait of impeccably good taste in casual entertainment!

In the order of confessing your reading habits to me:

--Brian and Kate; oldest son, Mansfield area contractor; Kate teacher's aide, Lexington.
--Craig; next oldest son, disability retired, Chicago.
--Bob; cousin, semi-retired and research librarian, Altoona, PA public library.
--Brad and Karen; Brad, retired from Westinghouse; Karen retired teacher, Lakeside OH.
--Denny, my late bride’s oldest brother, market research, Atlanta.
--Sherri, Denny’s lady friend.
--Kevin, my late bride’s youngest brother, electrical sales, Mansfield.
--Bill, cousin, retired electrical engineer, Boca Raton, FL.
--Doneen, high school classmate (HSC), retired teacher, Harlingen, TX.
--Ramsey, HSC, retired, Ohio Air National Guard, Yuma, AZ.
--Bob, retired, Ohio Air National Guard, Bellville.
--Lynn, retired nurse, bicyclist friend, Mansfield.
--Bob, US Coast Guard friend, Macedonia, OH and FL snow bird.
--Ron and Karen; Ron, heavy equipment installation; Karen, retail, Bellville.
--Dave, auto racing public relations pro, Elmira, NY.
--Norrie and Jan; Norrie, retired architect; Jan, retired surgical nurse, neighbors.
--Nancy, HSC, investment counselor, Mansfield.
--Harold, retired, photography retail, Ohio’s “Mr. Bicycle”, Lexington.
--Bob, HSC, retired, real estate, Mansfield.
--Dennis, cousin, retired, state meat inspector, Mansfield.
--Bill, mortuary assistant, Shelby, OH.
--Dick, retired skilled trades, Ormond Beach, FL.
--Brittany, grand daughter, student, OSU, Columbus.
--Ted, cycling friend, retired federal law enforcement, Gainesville, FL.

If you are a regular reader and have been lurking out there without confessing your presence, please let me know. Your joining our Honor Roll will be a terrific addition.

IMAGES OF FALL—

One of Ohio’s nearly 20 varieties of goldenrod basks in the early morning sunshine on an early day of fall while a teasel is draped with a spider web’s embroidery.

By the way, many people believe goldenrods cause hay fever. They are unfairly blamed because their flowers bloom at the same time as the less conspicuous ragweed—which is really the culprit that causes the itching and sneezing.

Goldenrod pollen is too heavy to be carried by the wind. It is carried by insects that pollinate the flowers and is not wasted on the wind or allergy sufferers.

Teasel is commonly mistaken for thistle.

SLOPPY JOURNALISM--

I want to pull my hair!

On a recent morning’s web news I read stories that must have been written by people who do not have English as their primary language, or, it is more support for my general hypothesis; “Mediocrity is today’s standard of excellence.”

The first one from MSNBC Travel News told me about fly fishing around the globe including the Bahamas with locations containing lots of “...small islands and cays...” Folks, cays are small islands.

Then on the Columbus TV 4 website I read about a person dying after being electrocuted. Folks, that is the definition of electrocute; “To kill by electricity.”

Recently, I was lunching at a local pub and couldn’t avoid the CNN TV coverage blasting away with the story of the OJ Simpson arrest that day. The scrolling panels at the bottom of the screen alternated use of the words “robbery” and “burglary” as if they were synonymous.

They most assuredly are not.

Don’t get me wrong. I certainly do not hold myself up as a linguistic expert. But, I did study journalism in college and in those days of focused, intellectual curiosity correct use of the language was taught as a noble, everyday goal for professional journalists.

Today, I wonder if they even teach these bozos how to spell.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS—

Peru

Peru is located on the northwest coast of South America between Ecuador and Chile. It is in the bottom center of the graphic to the right.

Peru is just over 496,000 square miles in size, making it nearly 2/3 the size of Mexico and has a population of about 28 million, mostly Spanish speaking, people.

The Andes Mountains divide the country north to south, creating an arid coastal plain along the Pacific Ocean. The highest mountain in the country is over 22,000 feet in elevation. By comparison Mt. Whitney at just over 14,000 feet is the tallest peak in the lower 48 US states.

On the western side of the Andes Peru is mostly Amazon rainforest which covers nearly 60 per cent of the country’s area.

It is there Bellville’s Chimney Swifts from yesterday's post will enjoy their winter of warm tropical breezes.

GREETINGS—The gob of white on my face is a bandage covering a 1 ½ inch nick my dermatologist made to remove a small skin cancer Wednesday. All is well, and, I regard this episode as but a small gesture of consideration for the many of you I am aware with health issues of your own. Best to all, --tw

BTW Blogspot has been exceedingly slow the past few mornings. Please be patient if I fail to post in a timely fashion. I suspect they are growing beyond their capacity to serve their customers efficiently.

CHIMNEY SWIFTS—

First, in the early evening, you may notice a swift or two zooming, as they do, after a late snack of airborne insects.

Then, as approaching dusk paints the sky in ever darker shades of blue, one swift becomes a dozen and, they become an undulating flock flying a pattern of ever-changing geometric shapes above that chimney on Bellville’s Main St.

Their quiet twittering becomes part of the night’s symphony as they fly, seemingly faster and faster, until one, then two then many more of their near countless number disappear down the chimney.

The remaining airborne squadron explodes its shape then rejoins as if hearing their own choreography all the while contributing more and more birds to their growing roost deep in the chimney’s nocturnal protection.

Soon you notice the birds are very difficult to see as the ghostly flock thins until only silence and stillness shroud the entrance to their lair.

I had the pleasure of sharing this spectacle one recent evening with good friend Dick Stone of Bellville whose nature of deep sensitivity marveled at our very special moment.

Soon, the migratory instinct will compel these very birds to head south where they will over-winter on the Amazonian side of Peru’s Andes Mountains in South America.

Photography notes: In the larger image a slow shutter speed was used to enhance the feeling of motion and near ghost-like apparitions the birds become as darkness falls. In the smaller photo an auxiliary, electronic flash was used to freeze the birds in flight so more detail would be apparent.

ANGELS ON TRACK--

There is a radio ad playing regularly in Ohio which asserts, “Bad railroad crossings kill good drivers” then it encourages listeners to visit their web site entitled “Angels on Track” and make a donation, of course.

Regardless of how noble this outfit may be, their basic premise is wrong.

A good driver, among countless other skills, is one who has learned to “Stop, Look and Listen” when confronted with a challenging railroad crossing.

Whether a crossing has signals or barriers—or not; whether they are operating—or not, a good driver will do whatever is necessary to insure there is no train approaching before he or she attempts to cross the tracks.

A good driver in that situation assumes responsibility for their own safety.

The implication of this outfit’s slick slogan clearly attempts to shift that burden to something or someone else.

Besides, how often have you seen some ding-a-ling weaving around the crossing gates, or, simply blowing across an unguarded crossing with nary a look in either direction—and, more than likely jacking their jaw on their cell phone the entire time.

Sorry, Angels on Track. If I am moved to contribute to a cause, I will do it with an outfit that is as truthful with its assertions as it is noble in its goals.