Squirrely Avocado Bird Tale

Glancing through my kitchen window I was startled to see a furry tailed fuzzy brown-haired creature jerkily moving across my concrete driveway.  I could see an oval-shaped green object twice as large as the animal’s head preceding the creature’s halting steps.  Closer examination revealed a squirrel clinching in its mouth an avocado.  I didn’t even know squirrels liked avocados. 

This rodent made halting movements toward the red flowering geranium bed growing by my front door entryway.  Suddenly, a flash of low-flying gray feathers with a flick of white and a long tail landed on the driveway only a couple feet from the squirrel.  This mockingbird’s less colorful female companion soon landed nearby to join her partner in the harassing-sounding chatter that was clearly directed at the squirrel.  

Undeterred the squirrel persisted in dragging the huge avocado closer to my home’s brick entryway.  Those geranium leaf covered vines overflowing in the colorful flowered bed next to the walkway were  soon revealed to be the squirrel's  destination.  The animal’s final effort resulted in a forward lurch with the sudden dropping of the avocado down into the lush green leaves which quickly hid this dark green treasure once the parted leaves closed over what had been hastily selected to be a secret hiding place.  

   

I was relieved that no neighborhood felines prone to stalking were in sight since my favored mockingbird couple was now fluttering about almost at ground level.  They were obviously alarmed with the intrusion of this uninvited visitor into an area these birds apparently considered their own.  They were carefully observing the whole process, including the location of what had become the squirrel’s avocado vault.  His deposit completed, the warily alert squirrel sat upright on his haunches, frozen momentarily, then with his bushy tail flitting behind, scurried across my driveway to seek seclusion underneath my auto.   

I was entranced with this whole brief escapade, curious to know if there would be further resolution.   The mockingbirds flew upward into a nearby tree, suggesting that they had selected my home and yard as their territory.  The squirrel remained out of my sight.  Continuing to survey the area, I observed no further activity.  Finally, I decided I needed to devote myself to other matters and reluctantly left my window view. 

Considerable time passed before I returned to gaze out my window.  No creatures in view.  Stepping outside I cautiously and carefully investigated the area where I had seen the squirrel hide the avocado.  No avocado to be seen!  No squirrel in sight as I visually surveyed the area.  No mockingbirds observed in the surrounding trees.

I’m disappointingly reconciled to the realization that I will never know what happened to that avocado. Surely the mockingbirds would not have speared it with one of their beaks, much less be able to transport such weight in flight.    If any sneaky crows were watching they might brazenly have had the capability of requisitioning the avocado, but I hadn’t heard any of their raucous calls.  The mockingbirds would have dive-bombed the crows causing loud protestations had those large black birds intruded on the scene.   Opossums, raccoons, coyotes, bears, mountain lions likely were not out and about during these early afternoon daylight hours.  Other squirrels?  I hadn’t seen any, but I don’t know.  Is there honor among squirrels even if they did spy on the avocado affair? 

I like to think the squirrel I observed returned and spirited away his treasure.  Yet, I do wonder, if there were other creatures observing that I hadn’t noticed who might have taken the avocado for their own?  

Hope you’re not disappointed after reading the above since this tale is for the birds, as I would be the first to admit.  The only nut, as so frequently associated with squirrels, is this writer -- at least in this tale. 

Remember this song from many years ago which was considered a pop tune played on practically every  radio station?  The original early 1950s recording by The Pinetoppers, along with information reported to be from a family member about the composer brothers and others, can be viewed on YouTube at the link that follows though the video has been withdrawn from sharing through embedding.     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF8ThtYYvmg

“Mockin’ Bird Hill” was eventually categorized as country music, becoming commercially popular, especially when Patti Page recorded the tune. 

LOVE, MUSICIANS, MOVIES

This Valentines month brings to mind a couple of current movies depicting romance, musicians and love with stories and casts especially focused on older individuals.   

“QUARTET” takes place in a very select community for retired operatic musicians portrayed by a delightful cast including Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly and Michael Gambon.    I recently thoroughly enjoyed viewing this movie which elicited audience laughter along with appreciation of some serious  more matter-of-fact aging issues.   

  

“AMOUR” focuses on a couple who are retired music teachers, apartment-dwellers, whose story evolves from the past into their present world.  The actors reportedly provide excellent performances many reviewers report.     Comments I’ve read reveal the movie depicts issues many encounter in real life.   Story events stimulate a wide range of emotions impacting viewers differently.    I’ve not yet seen this movie which has yet to open at our local theater.        

       

Your thoughts and reactions to these movies are welcome.

Water - Matters of Import 2013

Thought I’d mention a few matters of import in my world this second month of 2013.  A year from now I’ll be interested to compare the status of these topics with 2014’s reality.

World issue reports I’ll leave to each in their own country, though our nations impact one another as I think about economies, the environment, social issues and all the many ways we interact.   What happens this year for those of us in the United States as a consequence of events elsewhere is yet to be known.  My desire is that we stay out of war!

Los Angeles area Catholics have been shocked today to learn Roger Mahoney, Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus, has been relieved of public duties for actions taken to shield priests alleged to have molested children.  Accusers have come forth as adults with their allegations stemming from when they were children subjected to abhorrent acts by priests.   Persistent legal efforts have forced the Church to finally release written records, 12,000 pieces of paper (available on the Internet,) documenting how those in charge failed to follow legal requirements in such circumstances.  

Californians have been informed our state actually has a balanced budget now.  Our overwhelming deficit has been significantly lowered with an expectation of more reductions.   This was accomplished by voters passing a tax increase recommended by our Governor.  He had also instituted significant budget cuts adversely affecting many areas and individuals for whom this was painful.  Likewise, increased tax on the most wealthy has not been welcomed by those individuals.  Voters gave one political party the majority in our state legislature which is now Democratic like our Governor.   There's always a risk when one political party has all the power, but given the problem previously with a state legislature that functioned as incompetently as our U.S. House of Representatives, California voters acted for resolution. 

Latinos are expected to be the largest ethnic group in California surpassing whites in 2014 according to demographic numbers released yesterday by the state Department of Finance.   

Jobs in our state and my area with new hiring opportunities are slowly increasing.   Still today's news says the unemployment rate has increased slightly -- so, many challenges still are present.

Housing is beginning to gradually rebound with gains evidencing in price increases, especially with a shortage of existing homes available for sale. 

Occupy Claremont has continued to focus on issues of specific impact in our community which similar groups may be doing throughout our country.  Members meet regularly as emphasis has been placed on addressing our city's local homeless issues.  Occupy and our local government working together when possible has included a re-assessment of what financial institution will handle our city funds.  Previously, Bank of America has been entrusted with this function, but was singled out for picketing at various times the past few years as an example of peoples outrage stemming from the national financial collapse and especially local home foreclosures.  

High Speed Rail between southern and northern California, though long ago authorized by voters who passed a bond issue to finance the project, continues to garner attacks as a colossal wasteful expense.  The latest complaint is that not one bit of land has been purchased on which to begin rail construction.  Strong objections have come from several sources including central Californian farm land owners whose property will be divided by the rail system.

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station along the coast between Los Angeles and San Diego had an unexpected radiation leakage necessitating that it be shut down a year ago.  Seems some tubes that had to be replaced retained functional integrity for considerably less years than they were believed to be viable when installed only a few years prior.    There has been considerable controversy since then as a variety of issues and repairs were necessitated, more problems were found, resuming generating becoming highly debated.   Efforts to reopen San Onofre persist as some still question the wisdom and safety of doing so.   Lots of people live within a 50 mile radius.  My residence is at the outer edge of that measure. 

Water continues to be a volatile local issue with citizens in my city,  reaching an explosive level from residents long simmering anger over outrageous water rates.  Our rates have been significantly higher than the surrounding cities served by this for-profit water company owned by an even larger conglomerate.  There is also anger with the California Public Utilities Commission and their Division of Ratepayer Advocates for failing to meet their mandate to obtain the “lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels.”  

Studies are being made as the city moves closer toward a goal of taking over our water for the future generations to come who will most benefit from any savings.  The water company has refused to sell us our water rights.   Our city officials are exploring other options including acquiring ownership through eminent domain.  The company probably fears the latter and has recruited groups outside our city to make this a greater issue than just about citizens wanting fair, just and reasonable water rates instead of our lining the pockets of a far-removed corporation focused on excessive profit.  There are many facts that have bearing including residents responding positively to significant reduction in water usage for several years while the company profits increased as they sought even greater rate increases i.e. they want over 25% increase in 2013.   

Years ago I recall reading that water would be the oil of the future.  Also then, PBS broadcast a special documenting that large water corporations were quietly buying up water rights all over the world.  If we think paying outrageous amounts for gas, or not being able to afford to operate our cars is a calamity, car makers have finally begun offering us vehicles that use alternative energy.  Somehow, I think our bodies will be less inclined to tolerating too much water cutback if we want to continue living.  So far, I don't know of any sufficient water substitute.  

Here's a link to 10 videos about the world water situation.  I haven't had a chance to view them, but wanted to share them here.  You may be well-advised to explore your local water source, who owns it and what is projected for your water cost future.

For many years we’ve been conditioned, with erroneous information in many instances, to believe we should purchase bottled drinking water.  So, we are being slowly moved toward even more water commercialization.  An expectation of raiding what may seem now like an endless water source with desalinization of our oceans may need to be limited in centuries to come. 

Many of our fresh water streams, rivers and lakes are all too frequently under assault from pollution. Mining of various sorts, including coal, have contributed to this situation as have the deepest of underground penetrations such as with fracking.  We already have seen the devastation of oil pollution in Alaska and the Gulf accidents from which neither area has recovered.  Still we’re prepared to run an oil pipeline from Canada through a major water acquifer area. Water acquifers must be protected across this nation, just as ours here in my hometown need to be which this current water company wants to continue controlling.     

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration came into being during my lifetime.  Now after many decades their mission has significantly changed.   NASA's memory book for 2012 becomes especially meaningful as we begin the new year of 2013.  Future manned space flight is evolving into the commercial realm while the future of scientific space exploration will have NASA focusing on unmanned flights from our shores.

My interest in the possibilities of space exploration began as a young woman with NASA's forerunner, Project Vanguard, which initiated unmanned space flights.  The potential space travel  prospects became much more real and personal to me when a family member became involved in that Project, eventually manning the Quito, Ecuador, S.A. tracking station, one of several strategically placed around the world. 

Subsequent years NASA formed, then developed manned space flight.   The nation's interest increased as did mine.  I was especially attracted by the fact that two prominent astronauts, John Glenn, later Neil Armstrong, were from my then home state of Ohio -- communities nearby my own.  I remember well the tension, anxiety for their safety and the excitement viewing all televised space launches -- then astronauts returning  in capsules to the ocean initially, eventually in shuttles to earth.

There were tragic losses of astronauts lives reminding us of the dangers associated with travel into this new space frontier.   Our astronauts have been daring courageous explorers supported by many vital capable technical scientists whose names with which we have little familiarity.  Unlike our nations early explorers who could venture across our unknown lands relatively independently, space exploration success depends on teams of  highly trained knowledgeable individuals able to work together as a unit  dedicated to a unified goal.   

Many years later in 2012 the final space shuttle, Endeavour, has been retired with much nostalgia and fanfare to Southern California.  We've been privileged to live in exciting times that future generations will learn about as history.   I look forward with great curiosity to the future, as 2013 begins. 

Happy New Year wishes to you !