Siggy's Blurbs: Siggy's Edge of Country …

I make sure my two large bird house totems face outward, one on each side of my front door.  I want the birds in my neighborhood to feel welcome.  There are a multitude of birds that come to our five feeders, which I keep well supplied with anything from sunflower seed to thistle to suet and when the warm weather arrives I put out nectar I make especially for the hummingbirds.  That does not even include the birdseed I scatter on the ground for the birds who prefer to feed there.

Last year there were three birds nesting in our vicinity.  An eastern phoebe built a nest above the right front door light although there might have been too much traffic there for her to be successful in raising her young.  A nest was built there two years in a row.

A scarlet tanager raised a family in a bird box stationed at a large white pine a foot higher feet than my head less than an hundred feet away from our entrance although I never spotted the brightly colored male.  I had never seen one before.

A catbird made a nest in the thicket of one gigantic bush in the corner of our yard.  One of our cats found the nest and flushed the young catbird out of the bush and we shooed the cat away immediately.  The frightened baby bird hopped into the open garage chirping in fright.  My son who happened to be at my house first had to move a table and a filing cabinet out of the garage to reach the scared little bird who had hopped deep into the cluttered garage.  He trapped the baby bird carefully scooped up into a little box without touching it and safely released it back into the overgrown bush where its nest lay.

I want all the birds in our neighborhood to know they are welcome to visit our premises and raise their young.  Every day I watch them come to and fro our feeders.  Soon I will put out nectar for our hummingbird feeders and watch the miniature “helicopters” come back and forth and jostle for position at their feeders.  We will have one feeder at the window just so we can watch them closeup.

There is such a variety of birds that come to our feeders.  The magnificent ten inch long red bellied woodpecker with its gorgeously marked red head occasionally feeds on our suet feeder (which I have placed right next to the trunk of the large white pine tree) and there is his companion–the smaller downy woodpecker which stands at attention as it climbs up and down the trunk of the same tree also feeding on the suet.  Then there is the diminutive brown creeper who is aptly named who also feeds on the suet and my favorite–the fearless chickadee whose antics I always love watching.

This is, of course, an incomplete list.  I want them all to feel welcome and the birds continue to come here in a constant stream.  I joyously greet them each morning and watch them all day and never know when an odd bird makes its appearance like the indigo buntings that seem to come through here once or twice a year in flocks.  I never know for sure what I will see outside my window.  I want the birds to always feel welcome.

Tags: baby bird, bird house totems, bird migration, bird nest, bird-feeders, bird-watching, birds, birds are welcome, birdseed, brown creeper, catbird, cats, chickadee, downy woodpecker, eastern phoebe, hummingbird feeders, hummingbirds, indigo bunting, my son, nectar, pets, red bellied woodpecker, scarlet tanager, suet, sunflower seed, thistle, white pine tree, woodpecker
Posted in animals, beauty, birds, children, God, knowledge&learning, local, nature, pets, seasons, time | No Comments »

Again, I can’t answer that question.  Only you can.  I can suggest some questions that may provide clues for you how to respond to that question.  Can others predict what you are going to say, do?  In my life others can’t for a simple reason:  I can’t tell you exactly what I am going to say, do when.

Every person is different.  Every person has different talents and not only that and maybe this factor is even more important than your gifts:  what is truly in your heart and soul, how are you really wired?

If you have some idea, you may at least know how you are driven to explore your creativity and how you share it.  Every one is different.  What occupies your time, your efforts, your thoughts, what are your driven to do more than anything else?

Now try answering some of those questions I posed and maybe you might be able to answer my question a little bit better.  Are you creative?  To what extent?  Only you truly know.  Others around you can only give you an inkling to what degree this may be:  Are you creative?  Only you know to what extent this might be true.  There (???) really no paths to follow, only your own.

Tags: creative, creativity, every person is different, follow your own path, God, no paths to follow, talents, what are you driven to do
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Your birthday only comes once a year and is celebrated also once a year.  It is the day of the year you came to this earth–were born.  It is special and when others celebrate this day with you they share in the knowledge of your uniqueness–the person who is only you and has only your unique set of qualities.  Each person who celebrates your birthday with you recognizes your special set of talents which sets you apart from others which only you have been given so enjoy your birthday:  you are only given one a year.

Tags: birthday is special, celebrate your birthday, enjoy your birthday, God, talents, you are unique, your birthday
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You should cleave to your mate, which means not just sexually but every which way.  There could be too much togetherness.  There always has to be some space between both of you.  This separateness expands and contracts.  That is known as communication.

Each partner needs a sense of perspective about themselves and the other.  An outside friend always helps.  Someone you feel safe with and at the same time does not threaten your relationship.  Particularly in relationships you have with the opposite sex you have to be very careful.  Engage in communication under very safe conditions that do not unnecessarily threaten your partner.

And your situation becomes very difficult when every relationship threatens your partner.  It is a balancing act.  You always need to maintain your integrity.  Loyalty to the higher standard (truth, God, and if you want to call it the higher power) is always essential.

You want to remain loyal to your mate but at the same time it is important to keep your sense of perspective.  The only way that can be done is by having outside friends.  Those relationships also prevent you from becoming stale to your partner.  It is a paradox:  you must cleave to your mate but at the same time keep some distance (or proper perspective about each other).  Both partners are enriched by outside friends.

And each time your contact ends with your friend you have something more to share with your partner–maybe a slightly different take on something.  It is, always, as I said a balancing act.  You are always enriched by maintaining your perspective about each other.  The last thing you want to do is have your relationship to become inbred (and stale).  Then your view of each other becomes magnified (instead of realistic).

Tags: against the whole world, balance, cleave to your mate, communication, friends, God, integrity, loyalty, marriage, perspective, relationships, sense of perspective, space between both of you, too much togetherness, truth
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Never underestimate the power you have.  Every movement, every change started with one person.  To throw up your hands and sit there and say there is nothing I can do is to give up all your power.  The politicians know this well.  Elections are won one vote at a time.

Even if the stance you took was unpopular you have influenced other people and other politicians.  One presidential election, in recent times, was won by mere votes.  Never, ever give up your power of one vote.  That is all you have.  And that vote can move mountains.  If only every person believed that, less politicians would act with impunity.  They serve us.  Not the other way around.  So vote.  It matters.

Tags: can move mountains, elections, knowledge, learning, one vote, politics, presidential election, started with one person, The power of one, vote
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There is no such thing as secular music.  Every piece of music reflects something.  The musicians performing the piece of music reflected in their performance exactly how they were feeling, the reverence they had towards the music (or in some cases the irreverence).  Every emotion they were experiencing would come through in any superb piece of music.  It does not take long for a listener to realize the piece was mediocre.  Then you should discard that piece and no longer listen to that piece of music.

A good piece of music has power:  it can bring you up or even down.  And the best sometimes can do both.  You must be aware of the impact of the music you listen to and play it at appropriate times.

It is true there is no such thing as secular music.  Nevertheless, the piece can edify you or subvert you and you must be aware of what you are listening to and its power.  Subliminal messages can be conveyed.  Music can drive you up or bring you down.  You must be careful.

Tags: beauty, emotions, feelings, God, good piece of music, impact of the music, knowledge, learning, music, music has power, musicians, secular music
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Coco can only do one thing:  she loves.  When she sees you, she wiggles excitedly in every which direction and slobbers on your face.  You have no doubt she loves you and is extremely glad to see you.

The ability she has to love you seems quite elementary.  For a dog, that is.  Yet, so many people have quite a problem with it–expressing love and affection openly.  In fact, so many people are much more comfortable with their pets than humans.  There is no deceit, no lies, twisted truths demonstrated towards them by their pets.  They either like you or don’t.  There is no guile.

Of course, each animal has their personality.  Coco will stay out in the yard for hours all by herself and also when she is in the house she will often lie down on our bed all by herself.  She likes her privacy.  She is loved by everyone in this house and loves back freely.  That is no small thing.  There is a reason so many people own dogs.  They forgive quickly, just ask you for a bowl of food and water and do not make many demands beyond that except occasionally to sit on your lap and be petted.  Wouldn’t it be nice if others’ demands were that simple?  Love is never a simple thing.  Dogs, though, make it appear that way.

Tags: animals, Coco, dog sleeps on bed, dogs, dogs make love appear simple, each animal has their personality, express love and affection openly, forgiveness, God, love, no guile, pets, relationships
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I made two discoveries at the shore of the Susquehanna River.  It was a mere four blocks away and I loved wandering to its shore never knowing exactly what I would see next.  I always wondered why I hardly saw any crayfish in the river.  Then one night I walked there with my flashlight and shone its light on the water.  The crayfish were everywhere.  Then I realized crayfish must be nocturnal creatures.  That is why I did not see them too often during the day.

Another time, also from my small town, I wanted to see the stars better.  There were just too many lights in town.  I even went up to the hill by the cemetery and looked into the valley and at the sky–still the same story.  There were too many lights to see the stars clearly.

Then one night I went to the River and there they were–the stars were in full display.

So many things are in plain sight but you have to change your routine slightly, walk, maybe, to a different spot, go at a different time and discover beauty was there all along.  We are such creatures of habit and those habits sometimes imprison us and somehow you need to modify them to open up a different world that was at your feet all along.  (to be continued)

Tags: beauty, change your routine, crayfish, creatures of habit, discoveries, fish, God, knowledge, learning, nature, nocturnal creatures, right at your feet, right in front of your eyes, see the stars, Susquehanna River, time
Posted in beauty, God, knowledge&learning, life, local, nature, time, wisdom | 1 Comment »

Greed is a terrible thing.  And money gives you the illusion you do not need Him.  And you do not need others, that you truly are self sufficient.  Besides the fact, that is truly a lie from satan.  Money insulates you from relying on others.

The  fact is the world is interdependent.  We need one another.  This is never more apparent than when we are in a crisis.  Money can not buy “roots”.  Roots take years, decades to develop.  A lot of people do not take the time to develop roots, relationships with others.

When you reach out to others and help others in need, you are developing roots in the community.  It is a question of keeping your ears and eyes open around you.  Needs are there.  You have to figure, how can I reach out to the persons around me.  Your neighbors will tell you.  You just have to pay attention and figure out what can I do which will help this person I am having contact with.  It is just being alert.

What does this have to do with our failing economy?  Hard times force us to rely on one another more, to be more resourceful.  It destroys the illusion we don’t need Him.  And others.  We need one another.  And that is never more apparent than when we are not sure where the next meal is coming from or when we are struggling to pay our bills.  A failing economy puts most people in the same boat.  And we help one another more readily.  A failing economy is not necessarily a bad thing.

Tags: community, economy, God, greed, help others in need, interdependence, knowledge, learning, money, neighbors, politics, reach out to others, relationships, rely on one another, we need God, we need one another
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Sometimes life is fair.  Sometimes it isn’t.  And sometimes it never is.  I am reminded of the famous anecdote of Eisenhower whose mother told him what you have to do is deal with the hand you are dealt with.  The fact life is not fair.  Some people appear to have it very easy.  They have no money worries.  Their life seems to flow.  And there is no doubt money (the lack of) can cause quite a bit of worry.

The fact is we are all unequally gifted.  Some people are very talented:  can do almost anything and be successful.  Some people have more.  Some people have less.  Envy can eat at you.  There is a good reason “Thou shall not covet” is one of the ten commandments.

But when you rail at the higher powers for being so unfair with your worldly station, it only leads to problems and dissatisfaction.  Pray to God with thanksgiving.  There is a reason for that advice in the Bible.

Otherwise we are this whining entity wanting this and that from above.  I think of God being above and millions maybe billions of strings are pulling at him all wanting it a different way.  Realizing everything is by grace and thanking God for all your blessings corrects your dissatisfaction with your life.

Insisting on God (or a higher power) being fair only can frustrate you.  Because life is NOT FAIR.  The serenity prayer is worth repeating and these are not the exact words:  what is in your control change, accept what isn’t and have the wisdom to know the difference.  These are not the exact words but it gets the point across.  Grab the control in your life you can, realize what you have no control of.  And accept the results.  That is the beginning of wisdom.

Tags: accept the results, balance, Bible, blessings, deal the hand you are dealt, Eisenhower, envy, everything-is-by-grace, fairness, gifts, God, knowledge, learning, life is not fair, money, pray to God, relationships, serenity prayer, take control in your life of what you can, talent, ten commandments, thanking God, thanksgiving, thou shall not covet, wisdom
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It is so hard to ignore the expectations we have of our friends.  We expect sometimes too much and are disappointed when they don’t meet our expectations.  It is far more easier not to have any expectations of others and rejoice when they exceed them and also feel grateful because if the truth be known each person does what he/she can, when the person can, in their own timing.  If you were to look at your own life, you would see this happening, too.  You have your own timing and give the way you can and give what you can.  You need to give the same right to others.  If you have no expectations, everything someone does for you is totally by grace.  All you really can do is tell another of your needs, desires.  It is up to them how, if and when he/she responds.  Everything is by grace.  And the sooner you understand all that, the easier it is to accept others.  Each person gives what he/she can.

Tags: balance, everything-is-by-grace, expect sometimes too much, expectations, friends, give what we can, giving, God, relationships, time
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I have many memorable stories about “Atilla The Hun” my bad black mutt but in here I will only relate one.  He got out again and I was chasing him.  Finally he comes up to me and dropped a green dog leash at my feet.  I had no intention of canvassing the neighborhood to see which stoop he stole the leash from.  You have to understand this was the day after the state dog warden had paid us a visit.  He had gotten loose again and harassed the neighbor’s dog.  I did not want to advertise he got out again and was roaming the neighborhood again loose.

I simply grabbed the leash and dropped it in the corner of the living room floor.  My wife a few days later noticed the leash was now in several sections lying on the floor.  Mister “Tilla” (for short) must have bit the leash into several parts.  He remembered the hours he spent tied to a the leash as punishment for another escapade in the surrounding area.  We also had gotten four chain leashes and he bit through the leather end of each of them, of course when we were not watching him.  We were not happy.

Later on we noticed that the green leash he found was now bitten through into NINE sections:  he was going to make sure that no dog was ever going to be put on that leash.  All we could do was both laugh.

Tags: dog chews up leashes, dog leash, dog running loose, dogs, humor, love, my wife, pets, Tilla
Posted in animals, humor, local, love, marriage, pets, time | 1 Comment »