The Review, January 2016, Vol. 14, Issue 1

JANUARY 2016 • VOL 14, ISSUE 1 THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERS, IT’S STILL…

FREE!

Welcome to

2016!

NORTHWEST

The Best of the Pacific Northwest!

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MATT COFFEY FIND MORE AT WWW.RAMBLINGRAVENDESIGNS.COM OR ON FACEBOOK AT HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/THECOFFEYCHAIR/

M

y goal was a nameless peak on the western edge of the Cascades.

Almost exactly four thousand feet in elevation, with a small summit rock, and a jumble of talus sloughing down its southeastern slope, the peak’s anonymity was understandable. Looking south from the tiny summit, I could quickly identify nine other small mountains, all named, many accessible by trails, and a few popularized by area guidebooks. The banality of my destination was unavoidable and it was exactly what I had hoped for.

Parking at the eastern terminus of the S2000 road, between the Siouxon and North Siouxon creek valleys, I made short work of a chilly, thirty-minute hike uphill along the 126 trail towards Huffman Peak.

Stepping off the footpath a bit before the intersection with the 129 trail, I was pleased to find the slope of the peak’s western spur as gentle as the map promised, allowing a short, pleasant climb up through the timber.

Thankfully my timing was accurate, and I reached my goal an hour before sunset. I had ample time to establish a quick camp, and chose a viewpoint for the moonBACKGROUND PHOTO: Fresh sunlight begins rise set for nine that night. to color Mt. Adam’s southern climbing route. Peaks of the Indian Heaven Picking my way around fallen Wilderness sit just off Adam’s right flank. trees on the way up, I was disapINSET PHOTO: Sunrise, a new day begins. pointed to find that a tussle of Noble

I HIKE

Firs blocked the view Mt. St. Helens, Sugarloaf, and Mount Mitchell.

Fortunately, a rock shelf protruded from the summit just enough to see the sequence of Huffman Peak, Siouxon Peak, and Mt. Adams, all waiting for the moon to rise from their common axis. A strong, cold, southeast breeze blew across the snow on the summit, forcing me to abandon my camera tripod and wait for sunset in a small leeward pocket. In time, Venus appeared in the sky, along with the lights of Clark County and Portland, as the sun sank behind Oregon’s Coast Range. A brief glint of sunset hit the waters of the Columbia River and Merwin Reservoir as the glow from Longview and Kelso faintly backlit Lakeview Peak.

Three hours later, my time on the snowy summit came to a close. The nearly full moon had changed from a light yellow to full white, as it chased the sun’s path up and across the sky. Chilled to the point of lightly shaking, I gathered my things and began a planned retreat to the shelter of the treeline. Just before stepping off the summit rock, a prolonged wind halted me with brief deja vu. I spontaneously smiled in the darkness at the wind’s reminder of my irrelevance in the context of larger forces. Within hours, that light wind would kill me if I chose to remain still and endure its pain.

I had experienced that same visceral, wind-driven joy nearly ten years before, near a nighttime field in Woodland’s bottoms. As on the summit, that

BECAUSE I AM

SMALL

SMAll—cont’d on page 6

Gone to the Dogs There was this man that had a dog. He came home one day, and his dog was belly up with its legs sticking in the air.

He wasn’t sure if it was dead or not, so he took it to the vet. He told the vet of his problem, and the vet said that there was a sure-fire way to see if the dog is indeed dead.

He left the room and returned with a cat. He rubbed the cat in the dogs face, and after a while came to the conclusion that the dog was indeed dead.

The man was upset and asked the doctor how much he owed him. The doctor said, “$550” The man was stunned. He asked the doctor to explain and the doctor said, “Fifty for the visit, and 500 for the cat-scan...”

The Hamster and the Frog A mangy-looking guy walks into a very classy restaurant and orders a steak. The waitress says: “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you can pay for your meal.” The guy admits, “You’re right. I don’t have any money, but if I show you something you haven’t seen before, will you give me my supper?”

The waitress, both curious and compassionate, says, “Only if what you show me isn’t risque.”

“Deal!” says the guy and reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a hamster. He puts the hamster on the ground and it runs across the room, directly to a piano. The hamster then proceeds to climb up the piano, and starts playing Gershwin songs.

The waitress says, “You’re right. I’ve never seen anything like that before. That hamster is truly good on the piano.” The guy sits back and enjoys a fine steak supper with all the trimmings.

Shortly thereafter, he asks the waitress, “Can I have a piece of that fine blueberry pie I see on the dessert cart over there?” “Only if you got another miracle up your sleeve”, says the waitress. The guy reaches into his coat again and pulls out a frog.

He puts the frog on the table, and the frog starts to sing up a storm!

A stranger from a nearby table runs over to the guy and offers him $300 for the frog. The guy says “It’s a deal.” He takes the three hundred and gives the stranger the frog. The stranger runs out of the restaurant with dollar signs in his eyes and a big smile on his face.

The waitress says to the guy “Are you some kind of nut? You sold a singing frog for $300? It must have been worth millions!”

“No”, says the guy. “The hamster is also a ventriloquist.”

How to Tell the Weather To tell the weather, go to your back door and look for the dog.

If the dog is at the door and he is wet, it’s probably raining. But if the dog is standing there really soaking wet, it is probably raining really hard.

If the dog’s fur looks like it’s been rubbed the wrong way, it’s probably windy.

If the dog has snow on his back, it’s probably snowing.

Of course, to be able to tell the weather like this, you have to leave the dog outside all the time, especially if you expect bad weather.

Sincerely, The CAT Cooking Instructions According to the Knight-Ridder News Service, the inscription on the metal bands used by the U.S. Department of the Interior to tag migratory birds has been changed.

The bands used to bear the address of the Washington Biological Survey, abbreviated: “Wash. Biol. Surv.” Until the agency received the this letter from an Arkansas camper: “Dear Sirs: While camping last week I shot one of your birds. I think it was a crow. I followed the cooking instructions on the leg tag and I want to tell you, it was horrible.”

The bands are now marked Fish and Wildlife Service.

se Dog Ran i d a ch r a P

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR To Whom It May Concern,

I

believe it is time to make changes in our government and to hold our Congress responsible. I have a degree in Economics from the University of Washington and I was a navigator on a B-24 Bomber in the CBI area during WWII. During this time I was in many Eastern parts of the world along with South America. I saw the problems facing our country and the world then and I know the discord in the world today is also great. I wonder if our present methods are doing anything to help.

In my time, Franklin D. Roosevelt handled the Great Depression by regulating the banks, corporations, and also setting wage and price controls. FDR handled WWII and was admired by the service men and women. FDR put the men to work after the war and also had a hand in creating Social Security.

Franklin D Roosevelet was elected to four terms as president of the United States of America. During his time in office, the banks and corporations did not control the cntry and FDR did no bail out the banks during the Great Depression.

For all his work, he was called a socialist; a loaded term often used as a weapon.

Supply and demand are no longer the standard for commerce. Nowadays, corporations charge what they desire. We have also lost the value and honor of what we do and how we pay for an iem. I think it was a tremendous error to go off the gold and silver standard. That standard worked by giving the monetary system stability. Leaving the standard devalued dollar and just helped out the bankers. They said we could buy more, but the debts began to rise and over time have become out of control.

Bernie Sanders, Independent from Vermont, has been called a Socialist because he proposes control of the banks and corporations that are buying Congress with the help of lobbyist money. Bernie is the only candidate that has the correct method to bring our country back to a true democratic system. One that is for all people, not just the wealthy and those in power. There is a way to make capitalism humane. Sanders said “We are going to ask the wealthiest people in this country who are doing phenomenally well, and many large corporations that are making billions of dollars of profits and not paying a nickel in taxes, to in fact start paying their fair share of taxes.” He has self-identified as a democratic socialist.

There are many other examples in U.S. history of government intervention in the economy, from President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal to President Nixon’s price controls. As for Nixon, few people would ever call him a socialist. If anyone ever hurls the word “Socialist” as a label for Sanders, the policies of Teddy Roosevelt, “Ike” Eisenhower and other GOP presidents should instantly come to mind. Bernie has said, “I’m not that much of a socialist compared to Eisenhower.” Still, comparing Sanders to Franklin D. Roosevelt is a good thing and puts him in the right position to be our next president.

You have to reach a certain exalted status in politics to be referred to only by your first name. I hope Bernie wins the election and is blessed with a Congress that follows along with his ideas and agenda. Bernie has said “At the end of the day, democrac is a tough process.”

Sincerely, Carl W. Mattila Woodland, WA

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IN THIS ISSUE The Review — January 2016, Vol. 14, Issue 1

Cover: I Hike Because I Am Small Story and photos by Matt Coffey

3 What’s Happening Around Town

4 Over the Garden Gate

4 Stepping Stones

By Pat Stepp

5 Insects: Gift Giving

By Nora Garofoli

By Cheryl Spaulding

8 SW Washington History

10 Religion: Humbled? or Hardened?

9 For Your Dining Pleasure:

12 Birds Galore: Talking to the Birds

By Karen Johnson

By Lori Anderson

Luckman Coffee, Woodland, WA

By The Diva Gastronomique

By Norma Brunson (photos by Doug Schurman)

WHAT’S HAPPENING The Woodland/Kalama Masonic Lodge #17 Welcomes You! The Woodland/Kalama Masonic Lodge meets on the 1st Tuesdays of the month with a dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Lodge meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Meeting address is 143 Davidson Ave., Woodland, WA 98674 (upstairs). For more information contact them at 360-200-1799 or check out their Facebook page by searching for “Woodland/Kalama Masonic Lodge 17” Coming Up at the Kalama Library…

TEENS: Friends of the Library Kalama are having a Teen afternoon program from 3–5 pm on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. It will be held at the city hall council chambers 320 N 1st Street in Kalama. Come and join friends, play games and have snacks! BOOK SALE: The Friends of the Library Kalama book sale will be on Friday, December 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers. Hardbacks will be $1 and paperbacks 50¢ each and there will be many children’s books available. This is the perfect time to add to your winter stash of books!

STORY TIME: Come and join Storytime sponsored by Friends of the Library Kalama every Wednesday starting at 11a.m. We’ll have crafts, stories and fun at 320 N 1st Street in Kalama. Come and join fun and games!

Volunteer Plantings to Restore Endangered Columbian White-Tailed Deer Habitat What: Habitat restoration at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is heading into its second planting season for the Columbian White-tailed Deer. Volunteers are needed to help plant 5,200 native trees and shrubs and install protective tubing.

On event days please wear waterproof footwear, gloves, and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. Hot drinks and snacks will be proFOR RENT vided! Volunteers will be able to access areas of the refuge which are normally closed to LHA PROPERTIES public.

Woodland, Castle Rock, the Registration is encouraged, and Kalama but not required. To do so, please contact Aiden Forsi or Lynn Cornelius at the informaFamily & elderly/ tion listed. Training provided, disabled Units no prior experience is necesPay only 30% of your sary. All ages are welcome. adjusted gross income Everyone must sign a volunteer service agreement (avail360 able the day of the event or online, see link below); volunteers under 18 years of age Rooms for Rent

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ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

01

PUBLISHER’S NOTICE ALL REAL ESTATE advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1978, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, sex, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination”. The Review will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at 1-800-424-8590.

must have a parent or guardian signature. Projects are sponsored by the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Where: All work days are from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

When: Meet at the River S. Unit kiosk of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge off of Hillhurst Avenue, January 13, 18, 23, 27; February 6, 10, 20, 24; March 2, 5 For more information visit: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ Ridgefield/get_involved/volunteer.html or http://ridgefieldfriends.org/friends-of-the-refuge/volunteer/ You can also contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 28908 N. Main Avenue, Ridgefield WA, 98642, Phone: 360/887-4106.

culture and language with their newly adopted host family.

Those persons interested in obtaining more information about becoming a host family should call toll free: 1-800733-2773 or go to host.asse.com. There are many students WhAT’S hAPPening—cont’d on page 9

AGLOW meeting coming up!

Meeting location: Shiloh Fellowship Church, 10709 SE 10th St., Vancouver. Time: 7:00 p.m., with fellowship at 6:00 p.m. For more information: (360) 694-6914.

TOPS #1129 Meets in Woodland The TOPS #1129 Group meets at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesdays for their weigh-in and meeting at the Woodland Community Center located at 782 Park Street. For more information contact Delores at 360-606-6434.

TOPS #1489 Meets in Kalama The Kalama Tops (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group meets every Tuesday at 9 am for their weigh in and meeting at the Kalama Methodist Church at 111 N 2nd Street. It is a low cost, educational support Group.

Any questions call Debbie at 360-673-5183.

TOPS #1056 Meets in Vancouver TOPS WA 1056 Vancouver, meets every Wednesday at the Shiloh Fellowship Church located at 10709 SE 10th Street Vancouver, WA 98684. Weigh in begins at 8:15. The meetings are 9:30 to 10:30. Any questions, please contact Barbara Smith at 360-901-4634 or at Barbarassouthern breeze@gmail.com.

TOPS #1407 Meets in Longview TOPS #1407 Longview, meets every Wednesday at the Heron Pointe Recreational Center located at 5815 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview, WA 98632. Weigh-in begins at 9:30 am and the meetings start at 10:00 am.

Any questions, please contact Ellen at 360-355-4353.

SW Washington Gold Prospectors Meet!

The SW Washington Gold Prospectors club meets every 2nd Sunday every month at 1:00 p.m. at the Minnehaha Grange Hall at 4905 NE St. Johns Road in Vancouver, WA. For more information contact Steve at 971-212-5996 or go to www.swwgoldprospectors.org or see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Swwgp.

Host an Exchange Student?

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is seeking local host families for international high school boys and girls. These students are 15 to 18 years of Please call if you have questions: Phone: (360) 225-1273; web: www.reviewmediagroup.com; age, and are coming to this e-mail: info@reviewmediagroup.com area for the upcoming high Mailing address: PO Box 244, Woodland, WA 98674 school year or semester.

Deadlines: Please see our deadlines on our website at www.reviewmediagroup.com.

These personable and acaCirculation approx. 10,000 throughout Woodland, Kalama, Ridgefield, La Center, Vancouver, and demically selected exchange Kelso/Longview). Published monthly on the first of the month with Special Editions each year. students are conversant in Owner, Publisher, Editor: Gloria Loughry; Advertising Sales: Gloria Loughry, Cheryl English, bright, curious and Spaulding; Columnists/Guest Writers/Invaluable Helpers: Lori Anderson, Norma Brunson, Nora Garofoli, Tony & Cheryl Spaulding, Pat Stepp, Matt Coffey, Karen anxious to learn about this Johnson, and Guest Contributors; Printed by: The Gresham Outlook country through living as part Unsolicited photographs and manuscripts are welcomed, but will only be returned if accompanied by a selfaddressed, stamped envelope. The publisher does not assume and disclaims any liability to any party for any of a family, attending high loss or damage caused by error or omission in this publication. Reproduction is not allowed without written school and sharing their own permission from the publisher. All material herein is copyrighted and may not be republished or distributed in any form whatsoever without express permission from the Publisher.

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JANUArY 2016 • the review • 3

over the

A

Stepping Stones

s forecasted we are having a mild winter, a bit wet but still mild. In fact, we have had so much rain that we are no longer considered in drought mode. Of course, as we get further into our Pacific Northwest winter things may change but for now if you don’t mind the rain and the mud, it’s not too late to get some of those last minute garden chores done.

And I, for one, have several of those. Let’s begin with dahlias.

My dahlias bloomed into December, which is just about when

By Cheryl Spaulding the rains began. I kept thinking “the first dry day I’m going out there and take care of those dahlias.” Well, that didn’t happen. So clad with boots, water proof gloves and other rain gear paraphernalia I trudged out to the flowerbed in the rain and wind to do battle with wet dahlia stems, leaves and mud. (It comes with the territory.)

In some cases Dahlias can survive in the ground over the winter by simply cutting off the stems and mulching, especially if the winter remains mild. But the outside temperature is only part of the equation when it comes to overwintering dahlias in the ground. The good news is dahlias need a week more after the first frost to absorb nutrient and carbohydrates back into the tubers. Another consideration is how wet the soil is. And this year our soil is certainly too wet to leave the tubers in the ground for very long.

To begin, cut any remaining stems down to around six inches above the ground and then, using a spading fork, lift the tubers from the soil, CAREFULLY. Once the tubers are out of the ground set the clump on the ground and carefully remove as much soil as you can. Be careful to not break or crack the necks of the tubers. A tuber with a cracked neck tends to rot and not reproduce well when replanted.

Remove any diseased or damaged tissue and allow tubers to dry in a frost-free location for a few days. Place your tuber clumps in a ventilated box or basket, cover them with a little moistened sand and keep in an unheated garage, barn or greenhouse. Check your tubers every so often for rot. If you find rot carefully cut the rotten portion out of the tuber. The rest of the tuber should be okay. If the tubers look like they are beginning to shrivel you can gently mist them from time to time to help restore their moisture.

This is also a good time to trim fruit trees. I know it’s wet but at least it’s not freezing. Prune fruit trees by removing water sprouts (the branches that grow straight up) as well as any tangled or rubbing branches that may restrict light and air from the center of the tree. (Not more than one-third of the overall tree’s limbs in any one season, please.) Remove any suckers growing from the base of the tree, then stand back and take a look. The goal is to have evenly-spaced branches splaying out in a pleasing, vase-shaped pattern from the center of the tree.

When tree pruning keep in mind that sharp shears make for clean, easy cuts. And as a measure for disease prevention, dip the blades of your pruning shears in solution of isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds to disinfect them before and after pruning your trees and bushes. Also, clean up your branch trimmings, disposing of them by burning (if allowed in your area), composting or recycling. Cleanup of your trimmings is especially important if it contains any diseased material to prevent reinfesting your trees.

Garden cleanup is another important task. But just how far should you go with garden cleanup, is the question.Certainly you want to prevent disease but some gardeners clean, trim and sweep their gardens to the point where nothing moves or DOWN TO breaths during the winter. Well, sorry, I’m not one of those gardeners. I’m one of those who believe native bees, insects EARTH and birds need a place to hibernate and live out the winter Satellite TV protected from the cold and predators.

Native bees can hunker down under a piece of peeling tree bark, or they may stay tucked away in the hollow stem of a bee balm plant or an ornamental grass. Some spend the winter as an egg or larvae in a burrow in the ground. With all the problems that the bee INTERNET

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BY PAT STEPP

© Copyright 2015

Time is for men, the stars care not when, or where, or how.

Man asks, “Will it be now, or at a later date, that I shall meet my fate?”

A

s another New Year begins to peek over the horizon of my life I continue hanging for dear life on Planet Earth with uneven finger-

nails.

In retrospect, my first poem foretold my preoccupation with the stars, as well as longing to know my own future.

I was in a nostalgic frame of mind as I made a wardrobe decision about what I should wear to Star Wars VII: the Force Awakens for which I had secured a ticket. Buying the ticket electronically shows how much the world has changed since the first installment of the series hit the nation’s theaters.

I dug out the Star Wars T-shirt I bought after seeing the first episode. I began thinking about what my life had been like in 1977. We still had three teenagers in high school and college that year.

When I tried on the T-shirt, I looked in the mirror at the images of the young Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and then looked up at my face. It did not escape my notice that the face in the mirror was older than my 1977 face.

Later, while watching the movie at the theater, I noticed that when Harrison Ford made his entrance as his character Han Solo, he had aged.

By the end of the movie, Leia, played by Carrie Fisher’ and Luke, played by Mark Hamill, also were older versions. Their maturity was reassuring to me, after my mirror shock.

As I walked to my car, I remembered standing with my helpmate in long lines for hours to see past episodes the same day that they had opened. As the years passed the people standing in lines with us got younger. Once, when we wore our T-shirts, a teen asked me if I would consider selling mine, since he was a collector.

That evening my reverie continued. War is always imminent in each of the Star War episodes. “Wars and rumors of wars” have been threatening to blow up the Third Planet from the Sun since I first landed here. Like so many of my fellow Earthlings, I long for Peace.

The “New Order” in this new version has even bigger and more lethal weapons than the “Death Star” of their predecessor. Would you believe the same thing is going on Planet Earth? Each new war has bigger and better guns and bombs. Soon, we may be able to blow up our planet.

Like most of the human beings inhabiting Earth, I want World Peace in my lifetime. My New Year’s resolution for 2016 is a written echo of the song we all sang when I was ten at our town’s celebration of the then new United Nations.

“Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with me.”

populations are having in the world today our native bees are important pollinators, and when we remove every last overwintering site by cutting everything down we are not helping the situation.

And while the monarch flies south to overwinter in Mexico, most other butterflies stay put and take shelter somewhere dry and safe until spring. They nestle into rock fissures, under tree bark, or in leaf litter until the days grow longer again and spring arrives.

North America is home to over 400 different ladybug species and most of them enter the insect world’s version of hibernation soon after the temperatures drop and spend the colder months tucked under a pile of leaves, nestled at the base of a plant, or hidden under a rock.

Ladybugs are notorious pest eaters, each one consuming dozens of soft-bodied pest insects and insect eggs every day. Leaving the garden intact for the winter means you’ll get a jump start on controlling pests in the spring.

Insect-eating birds, like chickadees, wrens, titmice,and nuthatches, are very welcome in the garden because they consume thousands of caterpillars and other pest insects as they raise their young every gardening season. Leaving the garden intact through the winter months means there will be more protein-rich insects available to them during the coldest part of the year.

All very good reasons why I do as little as I need to do and wait until spring for the bulk of By that time all the critters overwintering in my garden Your ONLY Woodland-Area Feed Store! it. have emerged from their long winters nap and only then do I Why drive 1/2 hour or more? Shop local and save! begin my garden cleanup.

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den Insect ar s G

G

TOP:

e

t

ift giving season may have just passed,but there is still time to give helpful items o to our garden ST K oOvLI helpers.

OR n They ow andGL YA OF R ND A PHOTO S BY NORA won’t mind if your thoughtful gifts are late as they are resting for a bit more awaiting Spring. There are many helpful presents for a wide variety of helpers out in the

Gift Giving

garden. Bee blocks, beetle mounds, compost, and even seemingly abandoned spaces are beneficial to many of the helpful creatures we would like to see in a garden. The more lively the better.

Everybody benefits from compost, even the soil. So many critters use compost as it goes through the many stages of decay. It is like a parade of characters.

Even after it looks like it is done it continues to aid the plants we spread it around as it gradually releases the many recycled nutrients the plants find vital. Compost can also protect the soil surface from temperature extremes and erosion during heavy rain storms. It also encourages the many soil dwelling life forms to come nearer the upper layers of the soil which benefits our plants, especially those that are shallow rooted. There are many soil organisms that are encouraged by a nice mixing in of compost and many plants do so much better due to the aerating, moisture retaining and drainage qualities of compost. Did I mention compost is great stuff?!

A few more evergreens or perennials would be appreciated by many of the garden dwellers. They provide shelter from the many weather related elements and can be delightful for us through the seasons. Even edible varieties help out numerous members of many species. Just one example comes to my mind in my two well established blueberry bushes. In the spring so many little bumblebees come to visit for the nectar and pollen which of course benefits me later in the blueberry crop. In the summer days I know the little bush tit birds like to use the many little branches to rest in as they take showers in the sprinkler I have set up to water the blueberries with a gentle low setting.

Their pleasant chatter among the little flock is a wonderful treat to hear as I

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JANUArY 2016 • the review • 5

work away in the garden. These little birds are frequently passing through checking my roses and other bushes for aphids and such so they are always welcome in my yard.

Other small six legged creatures take shelter in the perennials and search for the bugs to eat. Sometimes they just use these kinds of plants to ride out a rainstorm. Some such as the orb weaver varieties of spiders and others need the branches for their web building as a base.

Some of the garden helpers are happy with a simple pile of stuff. A pile of large stones or sticks is all they need.

That provides cover and dampness and lots of nooks and crannies to explore to their hearts or tummies content. Many of the ground beetles live in such places.

They come out at night in search of such things as slugs and slug eggs so I have a few beetle hideouts in my garden for those helpers.

As always it couldn’t hurt to make a few more bee blocks for the all important solitary pollinators or specific spots for the other ground dwelling members of that group. The Xerces

This pink azalea provides cover and scaffolding for quite a few funnel web spiders over the large surface it has.

The webs are pretty when they are all decorated with dew or mist and can glitter in the early morning sunlight.

BOTTOM LEFT: I always enjoy seeing cute little eyes like these spying on me from one of my bushes or plants as I work in my little laboratory. These little jumping spiders and other bugs prowl about on the many branches carrying out their many activities of the garden.

BOTTOM RIGHT: This cute little Rove beetle is one of the residents in a pile in my garden. Here he his with a bit of the debris he likes to roam about in along with much larger stuff.

inSeCTS—cont’d on page 10

SMAll—cont’d from page 1

wind blew where it would, without respect for me, the town, or anything we humans had built. I have grown to find liberation in the realization of my irrelevance.

I hike because I am small. In sixty years no one will remember my name. That truth is evidenced in the vistas I find myself drawn to. On that nameless summit, I see the Goat Rocks sitting demurely in the distance beyond Huffman, almost unnoticed in their decayed state. Gilbert Peak, Ives Peak, and Old Snowy form the Goat Rocks. The Rocks are the last remains of a once-dominant stratovolcano. Today, these sibling summits retreat into the countless points and folds seen on the horizon. Looking to the southeast, I search for Indian Racetrack at the far end of a series of hilltops. I can identify the hills, but the ground where the First Peoples gathered remains hidden. I imagine the generations of humans who spent a portion of their

days, before the zenith of their race wilderness we Europeans now call In briefly halted, as the wind moves th heat and I watch the moon rise a bit h rise and fall, the snow will come a slowly shift, all oblivious to my expe pain, achievement or injustice.

Below and far to my left, thous lights obediently illuminate the sky

ABOVE, LEFT: Fresh sunlight begins to color climbing route. Peaks of the Indian Heave off Adam’s right flank.

ABOVE, RIGHT: An end to another day. Lake with Oregon’s Saddle Mountain visible on LOWER, RIGHT: Thousands of lights obedien sky. The bubble of civilization.

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6 • the review • JANUArY 2016

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passed, thriving in a ndian Heaven. I stand, he trees and saps my higher. The moon will and go, the land will perience of triumph or

sands of dull, yellow y. In my mind, I dip

r Mt. Adam’s southern en Wilderness sit just

Merwin sits in shadow n the far horizon. ntly illuminate the night

down from the meta to the micro. Down in those valleys there are thermostats and cul-de-sacs, fiat currency and the idea of law. We have made a beautiful bubble for ourselves, where the security of individual control smothers our perspective. Such hard-won, necessary progress. So much we have achieved, since the beginning of the neolithic.

Inside my bubble of civilization, I am tempted to ponder my significance. Dropping my focus down to the level of property, professions, charity, and my network of human connections, I am tempted to measure an individual’s impact. In the micro-view, it is possible to sustain a couplet of individualism and comparison, clouding out the reality of the larger context.

SMAll—cont’d on page 11

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JANUArY 2016 • the review • 7

O

SW WASHINGTON HISTORY

n May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh cut a historic swath Portland. Most of his visits were just fly-overs, but a rumor had through the skies over the Atlantic Ocean, when he spread that Lindy would actually land at Vancouver’s Pearson completed the first non-stop flight from New York to field. In anticipation, several hundred adults and schoolchilParis. “Lindy,” as he quickly became known, was an dren gathered at the airfield that afternoon. All were disapinstant hero—or as instant as was possible in those pointed when they learned Lindy had flown in from the east days before smart phones and Facebook. (he’d taken a scenic trip up the Columbia River Gorge), When Lindy returned home from Europe, he was bypassed Vancouver and landed at Swan Island field awarded the Orteig Prize, an accompanying $25,000 outside Portland instead. check, and America’s highest military decoration, the But Lindy obviously hated to disappoint anyone, Medal of Honor. He achieved rock-star status before especially children. So when he took off from Swan anyone knew what a rock star was. Not content to Island at 6:55 a.m. the next day, papers reported that he rest on his laurels, however, Lindy used his “soared into a thin misty cloud after circling the field new-found fame to promote one of his pet and was away towards Vancouver, Washington, a few projects, the U.S. Air Mail Service. And promiles distant. He [had] missed Vancouver on the way to mote he did, piloting his plane “Spirit of St. Portland and made the wing over that city in response to Louis” on an air tour lasting over three months requests….” and covering 48 states, our own State of “Vancouver got up early this morning with the promWashington included. ise that Colonel Charles Lindbergh would circle the city One of Lindbergh’s early stops in our state was at 7 o’clock before departing for San Francisco. More Seattle, after which he would visit Portland. In than one thousand people, mostly women and children, early September 1927, Tumwater businessman waited at Pearson field for more than an hour to catch Peter G. Schmidt fired off a telegram to Seattle’s a glimpse of the ‘Spirit of St. Louis’ and its famous Charles Lindbergh Soars Over Mayor Bertha Landes (the first female mayor of pilot, Lindy, who hopped off from Portland, arrived Southwest Washington any major American city, and the only female over Vancouver at 7 o’clock which was the signal for mayor Seattle has ever had) asking her assistance fire sirens and whistles to announce his arrival to ‘late’ in persuading Lindy to deviate from his course by just a sleepers.”

BY KAREN L. JOHNSON few miles for a fly-by of the state capitol building. Mrs. Landes lindbergh—cont’d on page 9 (below photo) lent enthusiastic support to the idea, and with little arm-twisting needed, Lindy altered his flight plan to include Olympia.

As September 14 approached, the Morning Olympian alerted the citizenry. “Air Mail Week” was proclaimed by Olympia Mayor James Johnson. Schools announced that children would be released from class when Lindy flew over. Plans were formulated to get people on the roofs of the major buildings in town. The fire department would herald Lindy’s approach with six long blasts on the fire siren.

Word got out that Lindy would drop a personal “air mail” message to school children as he flew over the capital campus about 10 a.m.

The Morning Olympian waxed dramatic: “It was only for a moment that the Spirit of St. Louis and its pilot hovered over Washington’s seat of government but in that time every capacity for hero-worship, every depth of adulation within the city and its people was touched to its bottom-most point as a united populace glimpsed for a moment America’s outstanding hero of this age, and Charles Lindbergh is shown here with a model of his voiced all that it could airplane “Spirit of St. Louis.” photo courtesy library of congress. offer in terms of praise.”

“Flying graceful as a bird on wing, he came out of the north, travelling at a high speed, and straight as an arrow, he shot toward the capitol dome, dipped and circled. A warm sun beat down out of a clear sky. A lazy breeze lifted out of the southwest, stirring the flags on the capitol group and the high school. It was a perfect day for flying. The crowd at the capitol grounds recognized the monoplane which had carried the Norseman of the Air across the sea to France, and began shouting and waving. Lindbergh swung off away from the capitol and darted over the city, lingered for a moment and came back. On his second trip he maneuvered for position, dipped and dropped a message of greeting, addressed to the city of Olympia. Lifting, he circled to the right, straightened out, and disappeared….”

Lindy’s visit to Olympia was over quickly, as he had many other cities to This photograph of Charles Lindbergh flying the “Spirit of St. Louis” over the State Capitol visit that day. Heading west, he buzzed over Aberdeen and Hoquiam, then appeared on the cover of the Olympia Brewing Company’s annual distributor banquet in 1938. flew back east to soar over Centralia and Chehalis before heading south to photo from the olympia tumwater foundation’s schmidt house archives.

A

Perfect Dayfor Flying

8 • the review • JANUARY 2016

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D ining P leasure 5

C

FOR YOUR

afé’, qahuww, koffie,kaffee, kafe, caife, My luncheon companion decided on the caffee,kafija, khofi. No matter how you B.L.T. (Bacon Lettuce and Tomato) sandsay it and no matter how you spell it, coffee wich ($5.50) and the Tomato Red Pepper has become one the most popular drinks in Bisque ($2.50). The grilled artisan bread the world today. One of the newest purveywas flavorful but unfortunately the chopped ors of coffee in Woodland, Washington is lettuce and bacon kept falling out of the Luckman Coffee, 1230 Lewis River sandwich. She said she might as well have Road,Ste C, Woodland, Washington 98674. ordered a salad; it would have been easier Producing seriously delicious coffee (roastto eat. She had more favorable comments ed in-house, on-site), teas as well as excelabout the soup. lent sandwiches, salads, and dessert.

That aside, we were both intrigued by the

BY THE DIVA GASTRONOMIQUE delicious-looking muffins of which there Luckman Coffee is sure to become one of the most popular coffee houses in the were several varieties. I decided on a seasonal area. Owner Steve Luckman says he uses a muffin, and she decided on the New York Style Crumb unique roasting method to set the taste of his coffee Bun, each $1.75. Our desserts were as delicious as they apart from the many competing coffee vendors in the looked. Both desserts were tender of crumb and (in the WOODLAND, WA Woodland area.

European style) not overly sweet. I hate to be repetitive but What we tried: Being a big fan of Panini-style sandthe word delicious just keeps coming to mind. wiches I decided to begin with the Ham and Cheese Cuban Style Sandwich ($5.50) My luncheon companion also decided to try a Breve Latte, (20 oz.) $4.85 and I and the Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche, ($5.25). The sandwich was not a true choose the Chai Tea Latte, (12 oz.), $2.70. She said her Breve was one of the best she Cuban-style sandwich but the flavors were still good with ham, cheddar, provolone, had tasted and I must say my Chai Tea (a blend of black tea, spices and milk) was a and pickles all served on a crusty bun. real winner on a cold, blustery winter day.

On the other hand, the quiche was a true delight. I have found in the past quiche Luckman Coffee is open 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 with spinach and goat cheese combinations can sometimes leave a bitter aftertaste but a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 1230 Lewis River Road, St C, Woodland, Washington not here.With this quiche the crust was flaky and the combination of flavors superbly 98674. (Located next door to the Burgerville) Contact them at 360-841-8699 or on rendered. the web at www.luckmancoffee.com.

Luckman Coffee – a real winner

WhAT’S hAPPening—cont’d from page 3

to choose from, so call or go online—and begin the process of selecting your new host son or daughter today!

Volunteers Needed Woodland Mobile Meals is in need of volunteer drivers.

Meals are picked up at the America’s Family Diner on Lewis River Drive at 10:45 along with recipients names and addresses. Delivery usually takes a little over an hour. If

you are interested in assisting with this outreach to seniors program please call Moze Meeker at 225-6501 or June Jones at Woodland Real Estate 225-8278. Deliveries are in the Woodland, WA, metro area.

Mall Adoption Events for the Humane Society of Cowlitz County.

We are at the Three Rivers Mall in the former Fibre Credit

Union space on Friday and Saturday, the 3rd weekend of every month.

We will have cats and dogs for adoption. All are microchipped and current on shots; all cats, and many of our dogs are already spayed/neutered. For a complete list of all adoptable animals at the Humane Society please direct individuals to www.cowlitzhumane.com or www.petfinder.com.

Today, the “Spirit of St. Louis” is on permanent display at the National Air and Space Museum (part of the Smithsonian Institution) in Washington D.C.

photo courtesy ad meskens.

lindbergh—cont’d from page 8

After leaving the Portland-Vancouver area, Lindy continued south to California on his nationwide tour. Although most citizens caught only a glimpse of the famous aviator, his fly-overs had long-term consequences. Many cities were inspired to follow Lindy’s recommendations to build or improve airfields, creating an infrastructure for www.reviewmediAgroUp.com

the eventual widespread use of air mail and commercial passenger service across the country—thanks to men like Charles Lindbergh, who dropped in on a perfect day for flying.

JANUArY 2016 • the review • 9

“And he said to him, ‘Son you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

F

—Luke 15:31–32 NASB*

or some reason, January prompts people to reflect on how things went in the last calendar year and to resolve to do better in the next. We recognize what did not satisfy and resolve, “If only I had a little more of this or a little less of that, then surely I would be happy.” And then, like the Prodigal Son who went looking for happiness and satisfaction, we turn ourselves down another path that usually leads to more regret.

The Prodigal Son is in one of the parables Jesus tells us in Luke, Chapter 15. This parable shows us how God feels about those who truly resolve to change through repentance. The Prodigal and his brother worked for and with a kind, merciful, generous, but exacting, father. The Prodigal, hardened himself and convinced himself of what so many of us convince ourselves of, “Things would be better if only I could get away from _______ and ______ (fill in the blanks)!”

So, the Prodigal asked for his inheritance early thinking freedom from his father would bring happiness. Inheritance in hand, the Prodigal left his father’s country and squandered his inheritance on “loose living”. However, when the money disappeared, the Prodigal’s friends disappeared, too. Reality rudely interrupted the Prodigal’s routine. With no one to help and nowhere to turn, the Prodigal was now forced to fend for himself. He ended up feeding pigs for a meager living, wishing he could at least eat the pig’s food!

So, this young man came to a decision point. He could continue his routine of operating in his own power OR look to his father for help. The Prodigal Son could harden himself or humble himself (like my Pastor, Scott LaPierre recently pointed out in a great sermon**).

Luke 15:17–19 says the Prodigal Son recognized where his selfishness had landed him and humbled himself. “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”

Now, as a former Prodigal I know, many of us would continue to harden ourselves and say one or more of a dozen things like, “There is no hope for me now. Dad would never take me back.” Or, “Look what I have done!

I cannot forgive myself. How can I expect my father to forgive me?” Or “I can’t change. Why bother trying. This is just who I am now.”

If the Prodigal would have done any of these things, he would have continued in the self-destructive routine to his death, but he did not react this way. The Bible says he got up and did something! He humbled himself and returned to his father!

Now, as a parent, our inclination might be to say, “You made your bed, now lie in it!” OR, “Well, you should have thought of that before!” OR “See? I told you this would happen. Now what are you going to do? You are not getting any more help from me!”

Fortunately, the Prodigal’s dad is not like you and I. In Jesus’s Parable, the Prodigal’s dad is God. (Which makes all of human-kind either the Prodigal or the Prodigal’s brother!) The Prodigal’s dad said and did none of the things we would say and do. He saw his filthy, haggard, son coming from a distance and ran out to meet him with bear hugs and tears of joy! Not only that but he called for his workers to bring his wayward son the best robe for his cold and battered body, shoes for his torn and weary feet, a ring of honor for the Prodigal’s feeble finger, AND dad had the servants“kill the fattened calf” (something reserved for the most joyous occasions) and throw a huge celebration for his long lost son!

Now, the Prodigal’s brother pitched a fit about the whole undeserving response of his father complaining, “…Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you

Humbled? or

Hardened?

BY LORI ANDERSON

have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.”

Now, as the left-out sibling, the obedient, loyal, faithful son or daughter, we’d be miffed, too! So miffed we might harden ourselves, leave and become Prodigals, ourselves!

I know it is hard to believe about ourselves but there it is.

History has shown that many sons and daughters of God walk away at many a perceived slight.

Isn’t that what we all still have a tendency of doing with our Father God? We taste the sweetness of salvation. We greedily gobble up God’s grace. We marvel at His mercy.

We lap up the liberty He gives us. Yet still, like the Prodigal’s brother, we feel slighted and angry when things do not go our way (much like Jonah did when God decided to have mercy on the evil Ninevites instead of punishing them for their wickedness). Or, like the Prodigal Son, we walk away because God seems too harsh and the world looks like more fun.

Whether we are children of God that wander away to indulge ourselves or children that stay begrudgingly, (expecting and anticipating, like Old Testament Jonah, to be rewarded and the unfaithful siblings to be punished and/ or destroyed), Jesus is saying in Matthew, both need attitude adjustments. The heart, we are told in the Bible, is wicked and deceitful. We cannot trust it. It whispers lies to us like, “Don’t I have the right to be happy?”; “Don’t I deserve better/more/the most?”; “Don’t I get to rest/prosper/succeed/play just as much if not more than they do?”; “Don’t I __________ (fill in the blank)?”

The parable of the Prodigal Son is a parable for us. It is sandwiched in with the other parables dealing with how God the Father/God the Son/God the Holy Spirit and all of Heaven rejoices over each individual repentant sinner! The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and we all fall short of the glory of God the Father! He does NOT owe us anything BUT HE LOVES us more than anything! He has an inheritance set apart for each of us. That inheritance is eternal life through Jesus Christ! That inheritance is love, mercy, forgiveness, abundant life, peace that passes all understanding, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to help us handle all trials, the strength of Jesus Christ and the Word to help us through all temptations, and so much more! What we do with all the inheritance God has given to us is up to us. Will we squander God’s gift or savor it?

God will not force His gift upon us. He desires our adoration, love, and obedience but will not make us give it to Him.We can either humble ourselves, repent (turn away from our evil ways) and by faith, believe in our inheritance from God or harden ourselves and by flesh, walk away from the gift of God. It is our choice. Like the Prodigal’s father, God allows us to go. Notice, the Prodigal’s father did not track him down and drag him back home. The Prodigal wanted what he wanted and his father left him to his own devices, as was the Prodigal’s choice. From one former Prodigal to another, that last one may seem good, but believe me when I tell you, it is not. To separate ourselves away from God is a very horrible place to be and thing to do.

This repentant Prodigal is so happy that God ran to meet me with bear hugs and tears of joy when I humbled myself and turned to Him. This repentant parent is glad God has shown us how to truly love our children, even when they harden themselves and are not very loveable.

This repentant sibling is thankful to know how I should

10 • the review • JANUArY 2016

really respond when my brother and sister Prodigals come back home. Repentance is the key to stopping our destructive routines. We need to stop hardening our hearts, humble ourselves and return to our loving and merciful Heavenly Father! *Jonah 4; Luke 15 the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation **The Mercy and Judgement of God – Part III, Pastor Scott LaPierre, December 6, 2015http://www.woodlandchristian.net/player.php?src=12-06-2015

In His Steps … ©

Pl���n�…

1 Thessalonians 1:3

I

t is amazing how much mileage a small child can get out of a common toy. Our 3 and 4 year old sons, Daniel and Ben have no shortage of little cars, small people and animals. Watching them move about a room can be quite interesting. There are more places to park a car or stable a horse in my living room than I would have ever guessed! Sometimes cars get parked on drawer handles and book bindings while houses are built just where my “giant feet” want to walk.

Playing is fun but it needs to be in its place. If I find one of those houses in the dark tonight with bare feet, I may not be too happy with the architect!

The church at Thessalonica is my favorite Bible church. Unlike my children who are just playing at really getting anything done with their little houses, these people were accomplishing something. Paul says he is “constantly bearing in mind (their) work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

The Thessalonians weren’t just out spinning their wheels, making things look good. They had a plan. God expects us to not just play around either. He has given you and me the brains and physical ability to do what He has willed for our lives.

Have you thought today about what God would have you to do with what He has given you? Don’t just park the play toys on the table and call it good. Look for what God wants you to do and where he wants you to go today.

He has a master plan for you. Have you asked Him about it? .

You’ve entered the home of the Circuit ‘Riter. Come on in and sit a spell, put your feet up—make yourself at home.

We’ve been waiting for you. Walk through a delightful series of homespun devotional messa ges with author, Michael Ullrich. Visit his site at http:// www.in-his-steps.com/ inSeCTS—cont’d from page 5

Society website has a great article on the specifics needed for those little helpers. Here is another area where it is good to plant a wide variety of native flowering plants to encourage and provide enough food to keep these characters in the play to keep coming back to your stage.

Just like many things in life these little helpers need their spaces to be reliable in the usual ways; safe places to live and work, steady supplies of water, food and shelter and a wide variety of foods is a big bonus for them and from what I have seen in the little solitary pollinators it seems to make them very excited to get to work in a big bountiful garden. I find that a little infectious as it seems to make me more interested in how I can continue to make my garden even more fun for them and me. I even find many of the people who walk by my yard often stop for a moment to comment on something they enjoy or are curious about. I consider my garden not only a gift for knowledge I glean from it but as a gift of something different in the city landscape.

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SMAll—cont’d from page 7

Immersing in nature restores my context. Sitting on the blast-scoured ridges of the Mount Margaret Backcountry, or feeling the crushing cold of a wind gust, humbles me into accepting my lack of strength. Walking in the Siouxon, watching the ceaseless cycle of sun, moon, snow, melt, bloom, and decay calms me into accepting my lack of control. Observing grand vistas, and decayed rocks, highlights the vast scale of time and distance, reminding me of the irrelevance of my infinitesimal place in the world.

I sit on the summit again, now warmed by the fullydawned sun. A flock of birds bursts past the summit, a collective bouncing cloud that speeds south, heedless of the three thousand feet between themselves and the Siouxon Valley floor. I gaze out at the scope of the Gifford Pinchot, and see the choice. Maintaining my individual perspective ultimately leads to nihilism, as I compare myself to an overwhelmingly larger world. That nihilism becomes an easy spiral down to a rationalization of self-interest. Alternatively, embracing a global perspective requires continually facing my irrelevance, but creates an appreciation of something bigger and a desire to contribute. The confrontation with this choice is what drives me into our land. I cherish the experience of nature sans man precisely because it illuminates this difference in perspective. I seem to require a periodic reminder of the larger perspective, and my tiny place within it. That reminder produces a rejuvenation, an acceptance of my insignificance, and also a motivation to build, create, and help.

By mid-morning I am picking my way around windfall as I descend through the timber. I pause, as usual, as the trail hugs the base of an almost perfectly vertical wall of rock. The wall always seems out of place, emerging randomly within the uniform forests along the 126 trail.

Ten minutes farther on, I make a sharp left and depart from the 126 as it follows the ridge down to North Siouxon Creek. The short cut-off quickly leads to an informal trail head, close to where my truck has been obediently waiting overnight. Pausing to appreciate the view of Mitchell and Sugarloafs’ snow-dusted summits, I glance back left and notice two fresh tire ruts that have torn the soil and vegetation for twenty feet up the ridge.

No doubt the driver felt a pleasurable thrill of power as his vehicle conquered that portion of the land.

Significance, power, and control are always available if you keep your perspective sufficiently small. I inhale repeated draughts of sweet, cold air as my boots crunch through a last patch of snow near my truck. I smile again, at my smallness, feeling grateful for all the places I have left to explore.

ABOVE:

Moonrise from Mt. Adams.

LEFT AND ABOVE:

A nameless peak’s view of Siouxon Ridge.

Huffman, Siouxon, and Mt. Adams sit in-line.

Mt. Adams, and the eastern view from a nameless peak in the southern Gifford Pinchot.

Ten Things to Give Up

1. Trying to please and be acceptable to others.

2. The fear of making a mistake.

3. The fear of change.

4. A fear of the future.

5. Guilt or shame that's tied to your past.

6. Beating yourself up or putting yourself down.

7. Over-thinking.

8. Living by your feelings.

9. The desire to get even with others.

10. The tendency to procrastinate. www.reviewmediAgroUp.com

JANUArY 2016 • the review • 11

I

love to hear birds but mostly I love to ‘talk’ to them and have them answer back. Truly you can learn to imitate lots of different birds and they love to talk to you, too. Owls are usually easy to imitate so why not try it? As you may remember from last year we had a pair of greathorned owls that nested in the tall fir trees out back of our house. When they were courting and calling back and forth with each other I went to the door and began calling to them.

Soon they were answering back. They were calling in November of this year so that means nesting season will begin soon. December is the usual month they start building their nests or taking over a hawk’s nest that was there from the year before.

Years ago my friend Virginia invited me to go birding in the mountains of Mexico.

We stayed at Rancho del Cielo which was maintained by students from the Texas South Most College. They gave us a wonderful vacation with special meals and a good place to sleep in cabins. Birds were everywhere, most of which were new to us.

The one bird we heard at night and early in the day gave a very easy to imitate sound and soon we were ‘talking’ to it a lot. It soon came to us and perched just over our heads. It cocked its head and looked down at us as if wondering what kind of birds he was talking to.

I believe this tiny bird was the Northern Pygmy owl. In the bird book it described it to a ‘T’. It is the same size as my last months Saw-whet owl (7 to 7½ inches). It has black patches on the back of the neck that look like eyes. This earless owl is brown with sharp streaked flanks. The tail is quite long and is usually held at a perky angle kind of like a wren. The voice of this owl was a single mellow whistle about three whistles in a row. Such a cute little bird and to be able to see it so clearly was a real joy.

According to my bird encyclopedia this bird has a ferocity much greater than you might expect from such a small bird. The statement was made that you best be careful not to put your hand into its nest. If you do you will regret it. The Pygmy Owl makes its nest in an abandoned flicker nest or woodpecker nest or any cavity similar to them. Two to four eggs are laid on the bare floor without extra ‘bedding’.

Talking to the Birds

A pair of Northern Pygmy Owls.

courtesy of audubon.org. photo by rick and nora bowers.

Sometimes they will lay two to seven eggs. Maybe they lay more eggs because there is an abundant food supply at that time. Only the female incubates the eggs. Babies hatch around May, June or even into July. They are fed by both parents.

Pygmy owl is a good name because it is so small but it is sometimes called Gnome owl. When I think of a gnome I think of small so that fits my bird of today. Talking to the birds no matter what kind is a real treat so why not try it and have a blessed 2016.

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12 • the review • JANUArY 2016

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