We were (and ARE) never surprised by what we have heard over the seasons and years.
SPRINGTIME
Sitting around our beloved fire circle in the early hours of the evening during the Springtime days, we were enthralled by the TREMENDOUS number of “froggy” voices singing out and communicating. Of course, this was AFTER the last remnants of Winter had totally dissolved. The sounds they made were incredible! Gradually, as the nights of the season progressed, so did the number of these amphibian voices increase. Frequently, the “calling of the frogs” became so loud, that we were forced to abandon the campfire, and head into our little camper for the remainder of the evening.
Naturally, the sides of the tiny Coleman “pop-up” would squelch the sounds emanating from the throats of those millions of tiny frogs. We could then retire to our slumber, and be whisked away to our dreams.
HA!!! NOPE…
didn’t work out that way!
Sure, we climbed into “bed,” but the chirping sounds outside penetrated the fabric of the camper walls as if they all had acquired megaphones! Carolyn was totally without recourse of any kind. I, however, garnished, for the first time, the benefits of being totally deaf in my right ear. I simply turned onto my left side, and without further ado, tumbled into deep repose.
I won’t EVEN begin to describe the following morning…other than to say that my dear wife displayed the symptoms of a night without sleep.
Naturally, the frogs and toads were NOT the only creatures to serenade us during the evening and late night hours. We frequently were charmed by the mating calls of the various types of owls which inhabit our area. These “folks” never cease to enthrall us with their voices…even to this day. Now, now…I realize that a number of persons associate the voices of the owls with supernatural misgivings, or the hauntings of ghosts, etc. But, the truth is, these creatures are a magnificent, and rapidly disappearing, gift to our natural environment. As our forests and woods increasingly disappear, so do the callings of the owls.
OOPS! Can’t forget one of the most memorable “Sounds of Spring” which always dramatically increases as the weather brightens. I refer, of course, to the arrival of all the visitors to the Region. The sounds of them constantly motoring towards the now abandoned Tuttle Campground will NEVER be forgotten.
However, any negative sounds are completely overshadowed by the POSITIVE sounds of the mating birds, the courting voices of the turkeys, and innumerable other Citizens of Nature.
AHH…the sounds of Springtime!
SUMMER
WAKE UP! IT’S SUMMERTIME!!! You won’t want to miss a thing!
COCK-A-DOODLE-DO!!! That’s putting it mildly! We were awakened well before the arrival of Dawn upon the horizon by the crowing of our distant neighbor’s rooster immediately outside of our camper. Now THAT’S something you don’t hear every morning…nor in the city…nor EVER expect to hear right beneath your slide-out camper bed. But, hear him we DID! In fact, we were awakened by him not once, not twice, but by numerous times. Finally, I managed to gird myself with courage and trot over to our neighbor’s house. I was graciously welcomed…explained our situation…and was promised a solution. GREAT! WONDERFUL! Problem solved!
Well, not exactly. True the neighbor’s rooster was confined within a caged area from then on; but, his voice was still eminently clear every morning before sunrise.
Oh well, just get used to it. After all, the voice of this feathered-friend was simply another one of the precious sounds of the rural lifestyle…a lifestyle which we desired and selected.
But then…
One weekend in early Summer during our first year on our property, I developed a flu infection. Rather than to pack everything and head home, I decided to “brave it out.” Of course, I did NOT expect the newest arrival to our neighbor’s Family.
His constant howling was a reminiscent sound. What was that he howled? What was he saying??? BEER-BOTTLE!!! BEER-BOTTLE!!! Over, and over, and over ENDLESSLY…all through the day and through the night! BEER-BOTTLE!!! Eventually, Carolyn decided that it was HER turn to visit our neighbor.
After what seemed like an Eternity, she returned. The new creature’s name was (TRUTH!) RAMBO! And, he was, according to my wife, the cutest tiny Beagle puppy imaginable. Once again, our neighbors totally understood our concern and would keep Rambo enshrined within their house.
After my health returned, and throughout the succeeding years, Rambo became a welcome guest on our property..as did his entire Family. To this very day, I, and Carolyn, treasure EVERY moment we have spent with our remarkable and precious neighbors to the Southern boundary of our land. Mrs. “B” became my “surrogate” Mother; and, Mr. “B” taught me how to ferment and bottle my own wine.
AND, Rambo??? Well, he traveled over the Rainbow Bridge many years ago. But, he is never forgotten. I swear I can still hear his sweet voice echoing through our woods…BEER-BOTTLE! BEER-BOTTLE!!!
KABOOM! KABOOM!!! Then we have the firing of the myriad of fireworks during the week of the 4th of July. Seems like nearly EVERYBODY (except us) follows this tradition.
AUTUMN
With the arrival of the cooler weather and the turning of the leaves, came yet another arrival of unexpected sounds.
The first of these was the growling of the dirt bikes down our culvert..digging-up and destroying the drainage we had worked so very hard to achieve. When I, somewhat foolishly, stopped one of these adolescent motorists in his path, he informed me that it was his RIGHT to go wherever he wished…his grandparents told him so! At that time near the distant end of our roadway, stood a small cabin. Its owners were the boy’s grandparents. Of course, I visited them and told them of the encounter. These folks were NOT so readily agreeable. So, I had no recourse but to inform our State Police of the matter. They also visited the grandparents. Problem solved! But, the sounds of the motorbike and various similar craft still wander the fields far beyond our borders. The grandparents? The boy? The cabin??? All LONG gone. Seems like what my Mother taught me was correct: “The GOOD you do comes back to you…so does EVERYTHING else.”
POW! POW!!! What’s that?? Sounds like distant multiple explosions! Nope, just the sound of the first day of hunting season. WHOAA! That was something we never had expected. Over the years, however, the sounds of the distant hunters have become expected.
WINTER
The arrival of the first snows always heralds the arrival of the snowmobile traffic.
As I hear the swooshing sound of the various crafts traveling down the main road, I often fantasize that I am riding one of those incredible vehicles. Never learned, however. BUT, I DID construct a snowmobile angled ramp over which a neighboring Father & Son could “fly” their machines. Loved watching them, and hearing the roar of their engines.
New Year’s Eve!
WOW! The sounds of Joy echoing into the surrounding atmosphere herald all the Hope and wishes for a remarkable New Year.
Then, as the sound of all the excitement fades into Silence, I remain seated on our front porch-swing.
Faintly, I seem to begin to hear the sounds of the falling snowflakes drifting down to earth. The message they whisper is that of the Promise of Eternity.
In the far distance, I hear the sound of the Barred Owl calling to its mate. Then, must be my Imagination, or the voice of my Heart and Dreams calling out…but, I could swear I hear Rambo’s sweet voice howling to me. Straining to listen, I hear only sounds of silence.
“George, please come in. It’s late and far too cold for you to be outside.”
As I rise to answer the voice of my wife, and open the front door, the sounds of Joy welcome me…the voices of Carolyn, Hobbes, and the Kitties.
Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
- SIMON & GARFUNKEL
(For Comments, Contact…This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit ARTS FOR EVERYONE on Facebook.)