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July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
| For Andre the Blog Monkeys' banana bar.: 1/4/2023  Category 1: If cars were banned would you ride a horse or a bike or something else? Specifically, this says cars. I would have a multitude of ways to get around. I live in a rural place. The nearest shopping is five miles away. That takes about 10 to 20 minutes to get to riding a bicycle. Longer to get back, because there is a lot of downhill going to the town, which means a lot of up hills coming back. There are two other places I can reach for small amounts of supplies. A Dollar General a couple miles south of us. A smaller village 5 miles in another direction with a Family Dollar store. Other places are 10 or 15 miles away which would have proper shopping with Walmart and other grocery stores. If motor scooters or other small, motorized vehicles are available, I would be able to use a properly licensed ATV. Because I only go to a town to shop for groceries and other supplies at this time, an ATV would be able to carry multiple boxes or bags of supplies. We may have to keep a snow mobile for rare trips in winter. Although so far only one short lived blizzard has hit us this year. Banning cars? Does this mean we can no longer order online. And will the delivery of supplies stop. I'm able to can and freeze in summer. I used to raise chickens for eggs, turkeys for the freezer. The family had fresh lamb, goat meat, and venison. A local potato farmer sells potatoes by the 50 lb. bags in the fall. One bag lasts quite a long time for us now. Dairy goats are quite expensive now. If necessary, I could go back to raising our own goats for dairy and meat. This would also mean continuing to put up hay in summer for our own use. We still do that with gas and fuel driven machinery. We live near Amish, and they hire drivers, with automobiles, to take them to area grocery stores. I could keep a horse and buggy. I have the room and know how to train and drive a horse in harness. A quiet buggy horse could also be used as a saddle horse, with saddle bags, to visit the Dollar General and bring home milk and snacks. People in this area are used to stocking up for bad weather. Who wants to go shopping in a blizzard. At this time, I only leave home about once a month to shop for groceries. Monday one of my sons took us to a movie in Erie. We saw Avatar: The Way of Water. Then, stopped at Fridays for dinner. I have not been that far from home since 2019. Probably if they ban automobiles I will rarely go very far from home, but it will not be impossible to deal with. Banning cars will probably mean setting up a delivery system to rural people. We have Wi-Fi, television, Kindles for games, movies, news, and other media. Some people might move to a town or city in order to be nearer to other people. There are health clinics 5 miles from us in two different directions. Now, with computers there is also the possibility of direct online contact with doctors. We heat with corn which has to be delivered by the ton. We usually keep a couple ton at a time which keeps us ahead of the weather by several months. Many of the neighbors heat with wood they have to cut or propane, which is delivered in small tank trucks. It means some type of delivery is inevitable or neighbors will move to a town. We also have back-up quartz heaters. The corn stoves have small fans that can run on solar power. Quartz heaters are also able to run on solar power. No matter what happens we will find a way to stay where we are. Taking cars away will decrease the travel abilities but, not stop people from moving around as they have need. Banning cars may mean bus lines or other types of transportation will be enacted. Noone makes quick changes to society around here. Banning cars sounds too much like banning alcohol. That didn't work either. Word Count: 721 |
 Just a couple updates: Still fighting whatever glitch is affecting whether my computer boots or not. It worked for several days last time then has not worked since. Using K's computer today. So, back to writing by hand since no way to print or save copies or a journal on this computer. Also, no way to post writings. Nevertheless, onward into life's next adventure. Just a quick tip for those who never did the math. If you read 3 chapters in the Bible a day you will finish the entire Old and New Testament in one year. I'm grateful for the English grammar help I get when I work on the computer. It corrects mistakes as I go along. Makes life easier. ![Merit Badge in News
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For [Link to Book Entry #1024225] Very well written. An eloquent personal account makes what seems to be mere 'news' to others more meaningful.](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/genre-News-1130.gif) |
 I'm reading "Fuzz" by Mary Roach. It's about learning to live with wildlife that take advantage of human environment by eating our garbage and sleeping under out porches. We have deer that raid the bird feeders and bed down in the hay fields. They really like to graze on the mowed areas near the house. Over the last several years squirrels have been a problem since they like to store their winter nuts in our attic and prefer the attic to a tree nest in winter. The book I am reading is telling how different cities are having to store their garbage in special containers. These are containers that are bear proof. I was not aware that black bears are especially good at entering houses and raiding food shelves and refrigerators. There is also graphic knowledge about how cougars and other wild cats bite to kill or how a bear attack will be carried out on a human body. Interesting to know that black bears usually do not attack unless given a reason by a human. The first several chapters, that I have finished had some grewsome knowledge, about attacks; nevertheless, good to know. We have more black bears in the area now, than 40 years ago. Have a good day. |
 In my mail from WDC this week I found this card: " Start Writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is Turned On." Thoughts on music I was unwinding by listening to Celtic Women on Amazon Music last evening. I am not a fan of "Amazing Grace," The song is used so often and not portrayed well in some renditions. However, when the Celtic singers sang it last night it was awesome. So, I looked it up on YouTube to share it. I always liked the 3rd stanza: "When we've been there 10 thousand years, bright shining as the sun, there's no less days to sing God's praise, than when we've first begun." I think if we make it to life eternal Jesus will never let us be bored. Music has so many rewards that we often don't notice. When we are listening to the sounds what may be included in the rhythms? One time I heard a piece by Beethoven that contained the reproduced sounds of wild birds. When I recognized the bird song, I was astonished that someone could reproduce these sounds, in written scores, with instruments. While listening to Celtic Women I heard some sounds that remind me of the little stream, that flows into our natural pond. I used to find crayfish and salamanders by the rocks in the stream. I can still recreate the sound of the water moving swiftly over the rocky bottom in my mind. It's a swishing, bubbly sound. Something I heard in the instrumental accompanying the voices. When I would put my hands in the water to move a rock or chase a tadpole the water was smooth and flowed across my skins in a sassy way. I could feel the pull of the stream as it flowed along. In the spring I realized if I did not go back to playing my guitar, I would lose my ability to play. I bought new strings for my guitar and started practicing again. The strings on my guitar have not been changed for 25 years or maybe more. Seasoning new strings and tuning have been an interesting experience. As well as reaching those frets to form cords. Christmas is pulling us this year. It's rushing toward us now that Thanksgiving has passed. I'm hoping for a peaceful holiday. For myself and for all of you. Keep safe and enjoy peace. ![Merit Badge in Every Moment Matters
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Happy 21 Birthday Site Week. Thanks for all you do. Love: Megan](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-Every_Moment_Matters.gif) apondia#1781748 |
| JUST HI! I was wandering through the Newsfeed one day this week. Came across discussion about the weather. Later this came to mind. November Weather November sunshine, bright and warm .Tomorrows forecast, features storms. Maybe rain, maybe snow. Because it's November, you never know? |
| Quote: "Oh to be delivered from the rational into the realm of pure song."--Theodore Roethke //Taken from "Poem Crazy" by Susan goldsmith Wooldridge Just a note: I am having a lot of trouble with our Wi-Fi. So, for a while I just stayed off it. It seems ok when I'm on the computer the last 3 or 4 days. We have a new, used auto with a lot of modern dials. It is just a lot of fun. The dealer programmed our home into the navigation for us. On the way home after completing the sale; we decided to go to Walmart, which was in the opposite direction from our home. The navigation voice became seriously agitated, yelling "make a legal U-turn, make a legal U-turn" over and over. After I figured out how to delete the destination, we laughed all the way to Walmart. I have related this story to other people and find that it is normal for the voice on destination to be agitated if you don't follow the programed destination. All is well for now. Happy Trails, Apondia |
| August is almost gone. I can sit at night contemplating life and think of lots of things I should blog about. Then, when I get here, I sit and stare at the blank page wondering what to write. We reconnected the upstairs bathroom and put a new floor down this month. Now, some siding is going up on the front part of the house. It used to be redwood siding. Now changing to cream colored vinyl. This month went from Day one-blink-day 23. I have a mastiff visiting me this week. So large, so gentle and sweet. It is still summer. Unseasonably cool weather for August. I wonder if we will have an early, deep snow winter. What will September bring? |
| First, we had drought. Then, a thunderstorm hit us really hard. It rained so thick you could not see thru the roaring white curtain of water. I've been exceptionally lazy lately, just reading one story after another. Tried to watch TV but, too many reruns so it isn't very worthwhile venture. |
| Last night camping before heading home tomorrow morning. How will you and Andre spend the day? I was not able to meet the deadline but, I finished the story so you can read it if you wish: Early morning the campers went boating and swimming with Ned and Darla as counselors and life guards. A water logging experience for all involved. I had kitchen duty and parents arrived to pick up children. Parents were invited to help us destroy a lunch grilled chicken, potatoes, and green beans cooked with mushrooms. A dessert chaser of strawberry shortcake finished off the meal. Then the Chimps alive group loaded into cars with parents and headed to their various destinations. Darla and Ned gathered most of our camping gear into the bus and headed home to deliver the bus to the community recreation center. It was still early afternoon when Andre’ and I waved a hearty bye, bye to all involved. We had kept our back packs full of essentials, which still rested on the porch of the main hall. After I spent some time in kitchen cleanup, I stated, “Everything looks spiffy Andre’. Let’s you and I take a last trek around the Herb Trail before we climb in my Jeep and head back to the bar?” This made Andre’ happy. He started to knuckle run toward the trail opening. “Hey, wait for me.” He disappeared up into the trees of the forest, as I straggled along. I was just going to enjoy this last hike. Andre’ was probably somewhere in a tree in the woods sitting quietly watching some wildlife, while he waited for me to come trekking along on the trail. The herb trail was only a couple miles long and a semicircle dumping hikers back out into the campground some hundreds of feet away from the trail entrance. There were also a couple of cement benches along the way to sit on, rest, or just contemplate life. Before I reached the first bench Andre’ dropped out of a tree next to me and toddled along beside me holding my hand. I thought his quiet demeanor was because of the last hike of the camping outing. It wasn’t. He had been scouting ahead/ As we approached the first trail bench I stopped and stared. A very large Hairy humanoid sat on the bench. As we approach it stood up and faced us. It was approximately 8 feet tall, with long silvery, grey fur covering its whole body. The fur had a sheen to it. I thought if you shined a light at it, it would probably glow in the dark. I was startled at its large lavender irises. Its legs and arms were long. It had surprisingly small feet. Although, they were certainly a proportion that would support its whole body. It signed to us. Signing seems to be the universal language. Andre’ immediately returned signing as if they had a quick conversation. Then Andre’ told me its name was Bolder. It was looking for the way to it’s home. Andre’ reached for my cell phone. After talking to the creature, he punched it a number. At this point I thought it interesting My phone actually had a signal. He handed the phone to Bolder. Who talked on it, in quiet mumbles and squeals of a language I could not understand? He handed the phone back to Andre”. Then signed some more. Andre’ told me his ride is on its way. Andre said the ride would be there quickly, so we ought to wait. He handed one of his flasks of Banana Daiquiri to Bolder. Down the trail came a large 2-seater buggy being pulled by two beautiful grey draft ponies. The driver was an elf. Bolder thanked Andre’ for the help and daiquiri, waved at me and got into the passenger seat. I moved off the trail and stood behind the bench not wanting to get stepped on or run over. The elf flicked the reins and shouted up, up. The ponies rose into the air and trotted off higher and higher into the clouds until we could not see them anymore. Andre’ took to the trees and I finished my hike. Pretty much the rest of the day was uneventful. After the hike we loaded into the jeep and drove home. I dropped Andre’ at the bar and continued back to the farm. One thing for sure you never know what new experience a hike will bring. Especially if Andre’ is along. He has an assortment of friends some who I have yet to meet. THE END. WORD COUNT WITH WDC = 749 |
| We are haying. The lawn mowing is behind which isn’t a good scene, so instead of writing I helped with mowing until the mower broke a belt. Besides that, I also took a day off to do our once-a-month shopping. It seems there are all kinds of things that need done to keep me busy every day. Then, I didn’t need to read two books besides the daily busy work. I have been copying prompts so I can get back and catch up. I realize I can’t keep up with writing deadlines but, will write the stories anyway. Just to see if I can do it? Braley Pond, Virginia This popular fishing spot in George Washington National Forest, 60 miles from Charlottesville, is the site of Virginia’s most haunted campground. One night, you are Andre are exchanging stories around the campfire. What happens? On a camp out with the Chimps Alive group we gathered around a campfire rather late one night. Andre and I were telling stories to entertain the group. This was Andre's story. When we were traveling down the Amazon, I became quite bored with just sitting in the boat watching the forest, animals, and birds flow by as the boat motored along. I’m familiar with tropical places. since I came from the tropical forests and savannas of equatorial Africa. After all. Chimpanzees are 3 to 5.5 feet tall and weigh 70 to 130 pounds. I figured at my height and weight I could hold my own in an Amazon rainforest. Of course, I knew the boat captain and Apondia were not going to agree to let me explore on my own. I waited until a very heavy long branch was hanging out over the river. Then I leaped up grabbed it with my arms and swung up into the tree. It was easy to run along the length of the tree and travel into the forest swinging with my feet and arms. I’m made for that kind of travel. Plus, it was so wonderful to finally be in the trees again. I don’t like to swim if I don’t have to preferring to wade in water or just stay dry. In the tree I could hear Apondia arguing with the captain about stopping the boat to wait for me to come back. I have to say I was only slightly distressed to hear him positively refuse. I was now on my own in the Amazon rain forest. I decided to get down onto the ground and travel by Knuckle walking. It felt good but, I soon realized I was slower than the moving boat and would not be able to keep up with it unless I returned to the upper parts of the forest canopy. So, I swung up into the trees and began to swing swiftly along the bank. I soon lost track of the boat even then, so I stopped and rested in one of the trees. Unfamiliar birds flew around me. Some seemed startled when they saw my form others just ignored me as a part of their jungle day. I picked a fruit off a tree and ate some leaves. Then, I realized I was not alone. I was being stealthily surrounded by a troop of Monkeys. The troop had quietly surrounded me. They were watching my every move and I was certain the leaders were now discussing me. Eventually, I was approached by an alpha male and alpha female. Their names were Ohno and mourning. They were present leaders of the Capuchin troop. Because of my size, as compared to their size they had decided to negotiate. We discussed why and how I had come into the forest. They were willing to show me where the boat would dock if I would give them a reward. As I always wore a couple flasks of Banana daiquiri, I decided to hand my flasks over to the troop as a reward for helping me find my way. I also told Ohno if he agreed to the exchange, I would give him my recipe for the golden liquid in the flasks. After sampling the flasks, they agreed. We headed out. The Capuchin running along and leaping from branch to branch. While I swung from branch to vine to branch. Once in a while the troop stopped to sample some tasty bugs or leaves. Ohno thought I should know about what everyone else was eating. He would hand me some of the tastier treats. It was only a few minutes when we came into the mission complex. The monkey troop set up a riotous howling in the trees. The sound brought a missionary out of one of the buildings. The Capuchin stayed in the trees. I dropped down to the ground to converse with the man. I was fortunate, he not only knew sign language he could converse in mental words. The result was we understood each other. He let me use his satellite phone. I called the bar at home to have Lilly send some some of our special banana daiquiri mix. The missionary said he didn’t want a bunch of drunk Capuchin flying around the jungle near the mission but, he could supply the bananas and some coconuts for his own mix. He was animal friendly I guess cause he said he would like to have the troop as friends to the Mission, so he would see to it they had some of this new mix made up for them regular, so they were happy. I had the bar send the mission some bulk bags of sugar which seemed to make everyone happy. Then the boat docked and Apondia appeared on the scene. My adventure was over, because they made me promise to stay on the boat for the rest of the journey. This was the story I related to the group: “While I was canoeing on the Amazon River with Andre one time. We had separate adventures. Even though we traveled together and really were together the whole time. Some parts of the river we used the canoe. Following the bigger boat which traveled at a slower pace so we would not get lost. Once, a river porpoise playfully dumped our canoe. We pulled it onto the river boat for safety then. The Amazon River flows through Peru, Columbia, and Brazil. It does not have any bridges on it. The river flows through Amazon tropical forests. The name Amazon is from a Greek Myth about female warriors, who rode horses and were amazingly accurate with Bows and Arrows. The head stream of the Amazon starts from melting ice off the Nevado Migmi Mountain range. Scientist have ascertained that at one time the river flowed from East to West into the Pacific Ocean. When the Andes Mountains formed, they forced the river into a West to East direction, so it now flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the dry season or wet season the river can be as wide as one mile to six miles or even 30 miles wide in some spots. A very biodiverse system of plants and animals live on the provisions the river supplies. Even though the Amazon soil is not particularly fertile, as many as 100 different species of trees can be found in one acre of land lining the river. The soaring tree canopy can be 2 or 3 levels high. Made up of trees that are shade tolerant. Within the river are crabs, turtles, algae microbes, dolphins-which are called Bolo, monster giant otters, and green anaconda. The forests along the banks house numerous species of monkeys, parrots: like macaws, other species of birds, as well as; many species of monkeys, sloths, Equana, armadillos, jaguars, ocelots, pumas, and many species of snakes some which are poisonous. We had to have special vaccinations before attempting to vacation on the waters of the Amazon. There are at least 8000 species of insects there. Mosquitos are extreme and hazardous because they carry diseases, which can be transmitted to humans. Since the river is so wide, we kept our canoe on one side or the other during the whole trip down river toward the Atlantic. Have you ever seen an Equana in a pet shop? On the Amazon they are extremely large. They can grow 5 to 7 feet long depending on whether they are males or females and weigh 20 pounds. They like to sleep on the low hanging branches of a tree. It the tree is hanging out over the water it can be scary to motor under a branch, with an Equana on it, because they can jump off at any time. Many times, we saw them jump off into the water, swim up onto a bare place where the jungle meets the water. One day Andre’ stretched up and grabbed a tree branch and swung up out of the boat. We were traveling on a boat managed by a man who guides people down the Amazon. He is used to scientists and explorers who are taking lots of pictures and writing in notebooks as they travel down the river. As Andre’ was not exactly what he was used to as a passenger, He would not even consider stopping to see if Andre’, who had disappeared into the jungle would be reappearing soon. Needless to say, I was quite worried. After traveling another 45 minutes, we approached a dock. Our guide told me we would tie up here and visit the mission. As we disembarked a man came from the clearing near the dock. He was a missionary and he had Andre’ by the hand, who now toddled in Chimp walk along beside the man. They seemed to be talking. I’m sometimes amazed about some people, who can just meet Andre’ and then immediately understand his language. The missionary was Paul Forester. He said Andre’ dropped out of tree near the mission school. He offered to help Andre’ since there was a Capuchin monkey troop with him who needed to have a reward for showing the way to the mission. We struck up a conversation about the different Monkeys Andre’ talked to that live near the mission. Paul warned us about the Basilisk that lived on the river. They are a combination of Iguana and dinosaur. They can walk on water without sinking because of the formation of their feet. I was thankful that Paul told Andre ’To stay in the boat. The black Caiman was also living near and were always in the water. It is a reptile from the alligator family. It is extremely feared as it spends most of its time in the water and eats deer and capybara which can be, as large as a small human. We spent some time eating lunch and learning about the mission. Then we traveled on to our destination, which was near the delta of the Amazon River. THE END Word count on WDC = 1820 enough to meet two prompts?  Today I am tedding hay for the hay crew. It's a tractor job so not difficult just time consuming. Yesterday, I spent more time mowing lawn. I combined two prompts into one story. It is the only way I could figure out to answer both prompts. If I keep writing stories about Andre'. I will have to build it into a book called the Adventures of Andre'. What do you think? It's kind of interesting to travel the world with a Chimp. While researching for this story I learned how to make sugar syrup and rum daiquiris. I also discovered that Capuchin monkeys are extremely intelligent and because of this are unfortunately, often used in scientific experiments (just a small sight into my everyday life) |
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