BLUE RACER AND GLOZELLE

#1251

by: Eddie Trapp

 

     Many birds have bright colors on their bodies that serve various purposes. When the bright colors are used to surprise other animals they are called flash colors. For example if a bobcat rushes a solid brown bird on the ground the bird would try to fly away, exposing white feathers. The cat would naturally be attracted to the bright color which many birds have on their tail feathers. The cat would try to grab the colored area, the tail feathers would pull out, and the bird would  get away.

     Mockingbirds searching for food on the ground often spread their wings, flashing the white patches underneath. This probably scares insects that are hiding, causing them to move, and the mockingbird has found a meal. Many woodpeckers have red on the head which causes insects hiding under the edge of tree bark to move. Peacocks spread their tails to appear larger and hopefully scare away predators. Watch for birds in your area using flash colors.

     While on birds, many of our migrating species are arriving for the winter. Within the last few days I have seen several yellow shafted flickers. These woodpeckers show yellow beneath their wings and tail while flying. They seem to prefer sleeping in hay barns during really bad weather. They also like to peck holes in attic walls and sleep inside. My grandpa, Tom Green McFadden, back in the Fifties would pay me a dime each for the flickers which some also call yellow hammers. The name “flicker” comes from their call which sounds like flicka, flicka, flicka.

     A few weeks ago we bought a “sit on” kayak to use while fishing at the coast. This style is different from the “sit in” kayak where you get down inside of it then fasten an apron around you to keep water out in case you turn over. Kayaks and canoes are becoming more popular and some terms used with their operation have been born: Texas sleigh ride – when you are in a canoe or kayak, hook a big fish, and it drags you around. Bony water – shallow water that allows the rocks to scratch the canoe. Carp – a kayaker that turns over and sticks his lips up above the water to get a desperate breath the way carp often do.

 

 

 

 

 

     Groover – an ammunition can that seals up airtight. Carried by many boaters on heavily used rivers where you are not allowed to use the restroom unless you carry out the feces. When you sit on the open ammo box  the edges make a groove on each cheek. Shuttle bunny – a person who agrees to let you out at the start of your canoe trip and comes pick you up at the end. Strainer – a place where trees are in the way allowing water can go through but it isn’t wide enough for your canoe. Divorce boat – a canoe or kayak you are riding in with your spouse. Yard sale – a whirlpool type place where your gear circles around after you capsize. Maybe you have invented another kayak related word.

     While in the woods this weekend I checked on one of my favorite plants, the strawberry tree also known as hearts a bustin’. Since many trees have died over the last year or so I was afraid they were gone but I did manage to find several of the small trees. The fruit is about ready to open its chandelier type shell and expose bright colored seeds hanging beneath.

     This past weekend we also had our annual squirrel hunt at our cabin beside the river. Several stories were told and I liked one about a man back in the 1800’s being particularly afraid of snakes, especially blue racers which are famous for chasing people. The man rode his horse home at almost dark and unsaddled it. With his bridle on his shoulder he started for the house two hundred yards away and to his horror saw in the dim light a dreaded black racer right on his heels. He sprinted like never before but the snake stayed right with him. As he ran inside the house he saw it was one of his bridle reins instead of a blue racer.

     There is a cinnamon challenge fad going on now. You try to swallow a teaspoon of cinnamon. You can’t do it without nearly dying. Some have actually choked to death. The hot cinnamon powder comes out your nose and throat. To see an example at its best, search Glozelle. This woman has several skits on her website that are guaranteed to make you giggle all over yourself. Besides the cinnamon challenge she tries to eat about ten saltine crackers on a plate with her hands tied together. Each cracker is covered with peanut butter. It gets messy but is soooooo funny.

     A ______ was in jail and the guard came by to find him/her hanging by his/her heels. The jailer asked what was going on and the ______replied he/she was hanging him/herself. The jailer said you were supposed to hang yourself by your neck. He/she said, “I know, but then I couldn’t breathe.”

     Ladies, if a man says he will fix something, he will. No sense reminding him about it every six months. It’s funny how my wife gives me the silent treatment and thinks it’s punishment.

     A woman told her husband that Christmas was on a Friday that year. He said, “I sure hope it’s not the thirteenth.”

     Two ______found three hand grenades and decided to take them to the sheriff’s office. One asked the other, “What if one of them goes off on the way?” the other one said, “We’ll tell them we just found two.”                           etra327@live.com

 

 

 

 

 

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