REVIEW POTPOURRI – Composer: George F. Handel; Tenor: Enrico Caruso; TV: Ray Donovan

George F. Handel

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

George F. Handel

German composer George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) was known for his love of food. When he once went to a cafe, he ordered three plates of the house special. The waiter inquired politely if the other two plates should be kept warm until his guests arrived.

Handel replied, “No, bring them also; I am those guests.”

The composer’s Largo from his opera Xerxes, the Messiah and the Water Music are considered by many Handel’s most popular works for good reasons; they are beautiful music with melodies that stay in the memory.

In Thornton Wilder’s play Our Town which celebrates small town life during the early 1900s, newspaper editor Webb comments that there’s not that much culture in the village except for Robinson Crusoe, Whistler’s Mother and Handel’s Largo.

Enrico Caruso

Enrico Caruso (1873-1921), John McCormack (1884-1945) and Evan Williams (1867-1918) were Victor’s three tenors whose records sold in the millions. Caruso not only had phenomenal vocal control and musicianship but also an enthusiasm for making records and a shrewd business sense of their potential for profit, despite the primitive sound. And, unlike others, he had a voice that recorded well, as did McCormack and Williams.

Caruso’s widow Dorothy was 20 years younger than her husband, outlived him by 34 years and wrote two biographies about him.

Ray Donovan

Liev Schribeer

Showtime Anytime is the channel for my current favorite TV show, Ray Donovan, starring Liev Schreiber in the title role as a problem solver for the rich and famous in Hollywood. Among the supporting cast is Jon Voight as Ray’s father Mickey, a Boston gangster who consistently messes up the lives of anyone he comes into contact with.

I am presently immersed in its fourth of seven seasons. Highly recommended first class suspense.

 

 

 

 

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Three tips to help Medicare Advantage enrollees choose a no-cost or low-cost gym membership

A happier, healthier you can start with a quality fitness program.

(NAPSI)—It’s still Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment season and many fitness-minded folks are choosing to sign up for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans because they appreciate the extra benefits such as subsidized gym memberships. If you have one of these plans, or you’re thinking of enrolling in one, then you may be ready to take the next step in your exercise journey by joining a new fitness center. Here are three tips to help you select the best fitness center for your needs:

1. Learn which gyms are subsidized through your Medicare Advantage program. Whether you currently belong to a gym and want to remain a member there, or if you want to try a new fitness center, Medicare Advantage may have you covered. Thousands of top-name gyms, fitness centers, YMCAs, and boutique fitness clubs across the country belong to fitness networks that honor Medicare Advantage memberships. You can call your Medicare Advantage plan directly to learn what fitness program they offer and what gyms near you participate. Options such as the Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise program offer access to 18,000+ fitness centers across the nation. Programs like these also offer member benefits such as health coaching and a library of on-demand video workouts. Plus, members can enjoy Facebook Live workout classes or YouTube streaming classes. Whether you want to work out at home, get fit at the gym, or attend classes online, the Silver&Fit program offers something for everyone.

2. Choose the right gym for your exercise needs. Ask yourself this question—what are the most important things that will keep you coming back to the gym in 2022? Do you have a yearning for yoga, a passion for Pilates or a goal to gain muscle? Then make sure the gym you select offers those options and more. If you love strength training, check that a gym offers various weight training machines and free weights. If you crave structured workout sessions, ask the gym for a class schedule so you can scout the options available. If you’re an older adult who enjoys low-impact water aerobics, seek out a gym with a pool. Today’s gyms offer many workout options, so investigate several. You can research gyms online by visiting the websites of programs such as the Silver&Fit program to see what gyms are in their network. Just enter your zip code and you’ll see what gyms are convenient for you.

3. Choose a gym that will motivate you to work out. Research shows that people stay more motivated to work out when they can do it with a spouse or friend. Find a gym your spouse or friends will also enjoy, then work out together. Or join a gym that offers social events, such as lunches or coffees. Or meet new friends in your in-person classes. Another important motivating factor is location. Choosing a gym close to your home can help ensure that you go regularly. It may be especially helpful if you find one within walking distance. Your walk to the gym can serve as a warm-up and cool-down to start and end your gym session. Other amenities to keep in mind are access to showers and locker rooms and the cleanliness and safety of the gym. Many gyms provide hand sanitizer and equipment sanitizer stations as well as other COVID-safe protocols. Call the gyms you are considering to learn what their specific policies are.

Always remember to consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine and to discuss what types of exercises are safest for you.

You can use the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period as an opportunity to plan how you’ll get back into your fitness routine—or to set new fitness goals. It’s never too late to get started. To learn whether your Medicare Advantage plan offers the Silver&Fit program, check: https://www.silverandfit.com/health-plans.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: A heart warming cardinal rescue

Julie, holding the male cardinal she nursed back from an injury.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This week, I’m going to give up my space to one of our regular contributors, Gary Kennedy, who has a heart-warming story to tell about he and his wife’s encounter with an injured male cardinal:

“Everyone knows that February has evolved from the fourteenth being Valentine’s Day to a week of love and its wonderful array of display hearts, candy, cards and flowers. I am considered old now but I have very vivid memories of exchanging Valentines cards with the heart throbs in my elementary classes. Of course, Mrs. Anthony who resides with God now had to receive a card, also. She was a wonderful teacher in my third and fourth grades.

“I was a naughty boy a lot of the time and had to be punished but I often wonder who was hurt more by the punishment, Mrs. Anthony or me. I firmly believe it was Mrs. Anthony. I remember she was beautiful and I was eight or nine years old. I have always said she was the turning point in my life. She was a wonderful teacher and a beautiful person. God bless those who teach us along the way. For the most part school is our second home for many years and those who guide us from one step to another are the major point in the direction of our lives. I will always love and miss Mrs. Anthony and many others who left their mark on my life and gave it meaning and direction. The love of our parents, pastor and friends are so very important as well.

“Maine is very fortunate to have the best of everything. God gave us a wonderful environment full of wondrous living things of which to enjoy. We might not be a rich state monetarily speaking but we raise some very wonderful people. I always say, “It’s a matter of the heart and perception”. I thank our creator every morning when my eyes open realizing I am still here to enjoy another day of the wonderful life around me.”

Whoops, I think Gary got a little off subject there. Here is what the heartwarming story is about:

“Yesterday Julie and I visited a dear friend, Les, to share some veteran information and to seek some advice. It’s always a joy to drive to Gardiner and visit a friend! After we left Gardiner, saying goodbye to our friends, Les, Brenda and, of course, Grammy Frannie, we proceeded to Augusta. As we were passing through Hallowell and our favorite seafood store, my wife Julie spotted something that was bright red standing aimlessly on the center line of the roadway. At a second glance my wife shouted “honey turn around there is a bird in the middle of the road.” I hit my brakes and turned around, and sure enough there stood a beautiful male cardinal. He was a little wobbly but remained steadfast to the center line.

“I placed my truck in the center of the road and turned on my hazard lights. Julie jumped out and picked up the bird, which was dazed and bleeding in his right eye. Julie grabbed a tissue and gently applied pressure to the area.

“We had a line of traffic behind but when they saw Julie they understood that she was attending to a problem. The bird seemed confused but didn’t resist Julie’s loving touch and care. It was like it understood.

“We drove directly home, aborting our original plans. Julie prepared a box with windows, made a bed with a soft towel and prepared some peanut butter and sunflower seeds along with water. We placed the box in our bow window overlooking our numerous bird feeders. Julie felt that visual affect would be helpful to the well being of the injured bird. The bird ate some and rested through the night. This morning he indicated he would like to try flying home. We took the box outside and Julie picked up the bird from the box. The bird gave her a gentle bite and then took to flight. The bird voiced something, which Julie recorded. Julie believes it was “good bye and thank you.” Julie being a sensitive person had shed a few tears and thanked God for allowing the beautiful red cardinal to live.”

It’s a remarkable story in that a small bird like a cardinal can be injured, in the middle of a road, and survive that, without considering the care and nursing Julie gave him, to send him on his way.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Name the four NFL teams to never appear in a Super Bowl.

Answer can be found here.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, February 10, 2022

To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

NO SKATES NEEDED: Jayne Winters, of South China, snapped this bald eagle on the China Lake ice.

GUARDING THE BERRIES: Joan Chaffee, of Clinton, captured this male cardinal guarding the berries.

FALL SCENE: Susan Thiem, of Texas, a summer resident of China, captured this fall foliage scene last fall.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Because I said so

by Debbie Walker

Since I grew up right over the hill from Winnecook Lake/Unity Pond it seemed like I was attracted to it in all seasons. I grew up with a bit of a cocky, self-assured attitude when it came to that lake. It seemed like I was born knowing how to swim. I was always in a debate with mom and dad about the lake and it would usually end with “Because I Said So”.

I also grew up over hearing stories of dad’s escapades at the lake. I heard these stories late at night when dad and his sister were talking and they thought I was asleep. I heard about how they used to dive off the railroad trestle and how he and his brothers used to swim before the ice was out of the lake. No. Permission for this activity was not granted. However it was discovered they were sneaking these swims in when their father found their underwear hanging from the trees, drying. Seems my grandmother couldn’t figure out where all their underwear was disappearing to, but my grandfather found it all and found out their little secret.

Beware of talking about your past escapades when a child is anywhere in earshot of your conversation, asleep or awake, because you just never know for sure. I am reasonably sure those were not stories they intended me to hear.

There were several times when I got grounded by following in dad’s footsteps (seemed reasonable to me). I got caught going to the railroad trestle to swim with my cousin Kenneth, got busted on that one. I also talked a couple of the girls into going down to the lake with me before the ice was out, to go swimming, Busted once again. My mother was good, I’m telling ya.!

Well, once I was grown (?) it was always known that I was going to be the first one in the family to get in that lake each year. It was always a big joke, even into my married life. What I didn’t realize was by now I had nephews and a niece who had listened to my late night stories.

My love for the water had not changed over the years so I had added to my skill and education by taking all the Red Cross and the YMCA courses; I was a registered instructor with both. Although we had done swimming lessons with my niece and nephews as they came along, and had some water safety talks, we had missed the “black ice” talk.

It seems this one day one of my nephews decided he was going out onto the ice, “black ice”, this is “late in the year ice” and is not safe. (Called black because it really looks somewhat black by this time.) Again long story short, my nephew fell in and had it not been for his little brother and sister quickly getting help, our story might have turned out different.

The heart breaker to me was his first comment on being retrieved from the water was, “I beat Aunt Deb into the water this year.” I was devastated. I realized we had used the old, “Because I said so” with the kids instead of teaching them how the lake and the ice works. So please before another child wants to be the first or thinks, ice is ice, please have a serious talk with them and explain what the fall/winter/spring dangers are, not just the summer ones. If you don’t truly understand find an instructor who does and in a language the kids will listen to. Spring, summer, fall or winter, your children do not belong anywhere near the water (ice) unless you are close by. Please don’t use the old, “Because I said so”. It doesn’t work, education does. Take it from someone who knows.

There are so many more things I am just curious about. I try to replay this column every year. Consider it my “Public Service Announcement.” Reach me at DebbieWalker@townline.org. Thanks again for reading and all your comments, they are appreciated.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Conductor: Takashi Asahina

Takashi Asahina

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Takashi Asahina

Japanese conductor Takashi Asahina (1908-2001) achieved renown in his native country throughout most of his lifetime but was little known elsewhere until the early 1990s when he was 85.

I found out the general details during a phone interview with former Chicago Symphony manager Henry Fogel. He was visiting friends in Japan and invited to attend a symphony concert. He told of witnessing an elderly gentleman hobbling to the podium and figuring that the concert would be nothing special.

He quickly found out that this presumption was erroneous. The scheduled work was the Alpine Symphony of Richard Strauss, a piece demanding not only the usual 100 musicians, but also extra brass and percussion including a wind machine, and an organ.

And the moment the elderly gentleman lifted his baton, sheer power and magic occurred. Henry told of being so unexpectedly stunned by an unknown conductor that he went to a record store in Tokyo and spent $250 or more on every recording of Asahina that was in shock.

Daniel Barenboim

Upon his return to Chicago, he told then- Music Director Daniel Barenboim of his experience and suggested Asahina for a guest conducting gig; to which Barenboim smiled skeptically. Pulling out a CD of one of the Bruckner Symphonies, he then pleaded with that Maestro to just listen for 20 minutes.

After 10 minutes, Barenboim told Henry to engage Asahina for three weeks of guest appearances. Those concerts were a hit with orchestra players and audiences.

A CD of Mahler’s hyper intense and gorgeous 6th Symphony features Asahina conducting the Osaka Philhar­monic, one of several orchestras he regularly appeared with in Japan. He gave a performance that built from beginning to end with an astute balancing of rhythm, dynamics and subtlety of detail.

At the Symphony’s first performance during the early 1900s, the composer was a nervous wreck before it began, wringing his hands and crying like a baby.

YouTubes abound of Asahina’s broadcasts and are well worth exploring.

MY POINT OF VIEW: Valentine’s Day usually means sweethearts

St. Valentine

by Gary Kennedy

When we think of Valentine’s Day we think of sweethearts, roses and candies. For most of us it implies love and how we can show it, thus the beauty and the sweets. Some people display this special day in other ways such as, Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day and ends on February 14 as Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s week is the most celebrated love week of the year.

However, St. Valentine’s Day started as a Christian feast day honoring one or two Christian martyrs name Saint Valentine. Biblically speaking we refer to 1st Corinthians 13:4-8, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, and it is not one sided keeps no record of wrongs. (Song of Solomon 8:7), many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us. He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. The trick is to not read anything into the process but to accept it as the greatest gift you shall ever receive, God’s love through his son. Remember, this is a Christian view.

The name Valentine was actually named after a third-century martyr. This holiday has absolutely no roots in or from the Bible even though we can equate appropriate biblical passages from the Bible. In all due respect we must remember that there are many religions which are not Christian. By that I mean there are faiths that don’t believe or worship the same.

To be more explicit some faiths don’t believe in Christ but do believe in God. Christians believe that God has a son and others who parallel the Christian religion believe that Christ was a prophet, but not the son of God. Holy wars have been fought all over our earth for as long as religion has existed.

So it has always been wise to handle Valentine’s Day from a sweetheart/lovers perspective and not a religious one. This problem has gone on for many centuries. I am just giving you a vague other view for our celebrating a holiday which seems to imply religious overtones. So respectfully, let’s keep it as it was originally intended and buy those chocolates and roses for someone that we hold dear. This could be your sweetheart, a close friend in your classroom or even your mother.

For those of you who want more information from the religious point of view, St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus at about 270. He was buried on the Via Flaminia and Pope Julius I reportedly built a basilica over his grave.

Valentine’s Day is banned in several countries such as Iran, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan and even regions of Russia. This St. Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian Feast Day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Valentine. This most likely is how this holiday received connection with religion, especially Christianity. So, I guess we just have to remember the true roots of this sweet love filled holiday is the commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

As for myself, I probably will head for the florist shop and design a nifty bouquet of flowers and put them together with something sweet, besides myself and present them in some romantic fashion to my loving partner. I being a man of letters and words will probably design a sweet display in card form in order to receive my reward, a hug and a kiss, if I am lucky.

Whatever your choice will be, we here sincerely wish you and your loved ones a very happy Valentine’s Day. Even though some of you may have been mislead by the meaning of this holiday, love is in the air and as we know God is love, so he automatically comes with it. God bless you all and have a very happy and safe Valentine’s Day.

The views of the author in this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

SOLON & BEYOND: The time I let Percy write the column in my absence

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

This week I’m going to use a April 1, 2020, that was in The Town Line called, “The time I let Percy write the column in my absence.”

Now I would like to thank Roland from the bottom of my heart, for leaving Percy’s picture beside mine on our column; for all these years. For those of you who don’t know, Percy died quite a few years ago, and I still miss him every day, he was a very remarkable animal! I came across a small clipping that I found recently dated The Town Line, January 3, 2008, with only Percy’s picture (Percy was alive and well at that time, and I had let him write our column that week because I was down in sunny Florida!).

Good morning , dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

This is Percy wishing you the happiest of New Years! I am missing my human, she has been down in sunny Florida since before Christmas. I am thrilled beyond belief that she is letting me write this column again, since so many of you have told her that you prefer my writing instead of hers. Since I don’t have any real news to share, I have been reflecting on what subject to write about, think perhaps Happiness might be a good topic to delve into. Our byline each week being, “Don’t Worry be Happy, and she’s been using it for years before I started helping her. Does that make you stop and think just how happy you really are?

Some quotes I can think of are, “Cheerfulness greases the axles of the world. “Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.” True happiness consists in making others happy.” But the one I like the best is “There are two essentials to happiness: something to do, and someone to love.”

It gives me great pleasure to behold the sappy look on my humans face when I lavish her with love, ( I curl up in her lap and put my paw as far around her neck as I can and sing at the top of my lungs!) That is pure ectasy, and makes me happy, also. As I have told you before, the first thing she does when she gets up in the morning, even before she gets her breakfast, is to give me my dish of tuna fish, such love is beyond measure. Do I appreciate it ? You betcha ! She gets pretty upset when I do things I know I’m not supposed to, but she comes around when I make up, unconditional love is the greatest! Are you gaining insight about finding happiness from my words? I do hope so, but to continue, with more wise words. When you do the things you do with love, you give life a gleam that most people only carry a glimpse of. Your attitude affects the outcome of so many things. Smiles inspire smiles. Reaching out brings people in. Looking on the bright side doesn’t entail being naïve and donning rose colored glasses. It simply means leaving the cynicism and complaining to someone else, someone who will spend their whole life wondering why good things don’t come their way.

Anyway, my human and I would like to wish you the Happiest New Year ever! Signed by Percy.

Percy got many of these quotes from different books, and just to let you know, to those of you who have been reading this column for years, Roland has let me get away with lots of mushy stuff over the many years he has been my editor.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Choosing the Perfect Personal Trainer

As many people have discovered, it’s a healthy idea to have a personal fitness trainer.

by Gini Grimsley, MS, CSCS

(NAPSI)—Exercising with a personal trainer has transformed from a luxury amenity into a highly effective lifestyle routine in many people’s health and fitness journeys. One reason may be that, according to a recent report by International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a global health and fitness association, 83 percent of consumers who exercise in-person with a personal trainer are on track to meet their fitness goals.

Personal trainers not only focus on the workouts inside a gym, but influence habits outside the gym and have become an essential part of their clients’ wellness team. If you’re thinking about hiring a personal trainer, there are many things to consider.

Goals

Set clear goals and search for trainers who specialize in your area of focus. All personal trainers know the basics but if you’re looking for something specific—competing in a race, for example—you may need to work with a trainer who has a more specialized skill set.

Credentials

Never hire a trainer who does not hold the minimum standard qualifications to practice personal training. Certifications from these reputable associations are considered the gold-standard:

  • The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  • National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
  • American Council on Exercise (ACE)
  • American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM)

Inquire about other specialty certifications, too, such as pre- and post-natal, corrective exercise, or Olympic weightlifting.

Fit

Interview your prospective personal trainers and get to know them. You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person, so it’s important you enjoy being around them. Have them share their training philosophy: Personal trainers should be able to articulate what they do and why, helping you understand their thoughts around fitness and how they’ll help you reach your goals. Don’t forget to ask about availability to ensure the trainer can fit you into their current schedule on your preferred dates and times.

Tailored Programming

A great personal trainer will be able to take what they learn about you during an introductory session and build out a program structured specifically for you. The program should be holistic and focus on activities and lifestyle habits conducted inside and outside the gym. Have them outline a plan for you, detailing mini milestones you can achieve during the process.

• Ms Grimsley is a Personal Training expert at VASA Fitness. Learn more at www.vasafitness.com.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Finding a dead crow on your steps; a sign of positive or negative change in your life

A crow found dead near the stairs to our house. (photo by Roland Hallee)

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A black cat crossing your path; walking under a ladder; breaking a mirror: take your pick of long-standing superstitions. Most of us have some kind of superstition, although some don’t want to admit it.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

My wife leaves for work before I do, and one morning last week, she informed me there was a dead crow at the bottom of the stairs to the porch at our house. So, I went out to investigate. Sure enough, there he was, stiff as a board. I didn’t know whether it was frozen, or rigor mortis had already set in.

Now, all kinds of thoughts went through my head. There is another superstition about robins appearing at your window. That one goes like this: Robins are often seen as a sign of visits from our deceased family members or loved ones in the spiritual world, and many people take a visit from one as a sign that one is on its way. In addition to representing a fresh start in life, the Robin is seen by many as a lucky charm.

So, if a robin is some form of good fortune, what can a crow mean, especially a dead one.

Few birds are more misunderstood than crows. They are commonly associated with death and misfortune, but the dead crow meaning is thought to suggest the opposite – potentially bringing good news and positive change to those who see it. Though different people and belief systems hold many varying ideas, it is the crow’s connection to transformation and change – of a good or bad kind – which seems to remain a common theme.

So, to the computer I went to see what I could learn about birds in our lives. This is what I came up with.

Many of us have seen a dead crow in our lives, but what does the symbolism of this creature say about you? Dead crows are often associated with death and mourning. If you come across one during your day, it might be time to reflect on what is important to you. Dead crows also symbolize loneliness and despair.

Crows are commonly associated with death and misfortune – a black-colored bird that portends doom. However, this is the crow symbolism when alive. The dead crow meaning is thought to suggest the opposite, potentially bringing good news and positive change to those who see it.

Now, I am an optimistic person, always seeing the bright side of things. So, seeing that dead crow more than likely means something positive is about to happen. I’m not sure what that might be.

So, what remains to be seen is what is going to happen, and how long it takes. I’m sure there is an expiration date on superstitious activity.

Birds are geniuses and bird symbolism is a vast topic but it seems to be agreed that the meaning behind seeing a dead bird depends on what type of bird it is. We’ve already mentioned the fact that a crow’s death might suggest positive outcomes for those who see them, yet there is also a belief that dead blackbirds, including crows, point to an unresolved tension deep inside someone. This is because the color black represents that which we cannot see.

A white bird depicting purity, peace, and goodness – such as a dove – is tragic and ominous in death. They might forbode the loss of something special, or an approaching conflict, depending on the happenings in an individual’s life. If the bird has positive associations when alive, it makes sense that its death would have a negative meaning.

Since songbirds represent communication, their death should encourage us to ask ourselves if we’re hiding something: perhaps we’re not speaking up, or we’ve lost touch with someone in our lives.

Another factor that changes the meaning of seeing a dead bird is the location. If a dead bird falls on your doorstep or in your garden, you must expect that change is coming soon, whether you want it or not. It’s best to change your habits and not resist this change.

If the bird hits your window, this means you are confronting an obstacle that must be overcome or removed. Lastly, if it comes inside your house, you need to look inwardly since the change going on is inside yourself. The consistent theme is one of transformation and change, whether that’s in a positive or negative way. The important thing is to not resist the change that is happening but find a way to adapt.

Crows are believed to guide us towards change – to prepare us for a transition in our lives. Their adaptability is an example to us, showing that we too need to change to survive. When one appears before you, it is encouragement not to resist that change that is coming and inevitable. Since dying is perhaps the biggest change of all, their role in the process of death is unsurprising.

The crow is a bird that has been deeply entrenched in the mythology of many different cultures and religions. It’s believed to be more than just an animal, but rather some kind of spiritual messenger or omen for change. In Greek Mythology it was considered sacred, while Native American tribes have viewed them as guardians and healers. The crow has also been revered in other parts of the world for its clever nature and intelligence.

In many cultures, the crow was seen as a messenger of death. Crows have often been found near battlefields and they were once believed to be the souls of warriors who had not yet crossed over from this life into the next.

As recently as World War II, people interpreted dead or wounded crows in their own way but it is generally accepted today that they are not considered an omen of death.

An occurrence in which one sees dead crows is typically not a sign that something bad will happen, but rather an omen of change. Dead crows are often seen as messengers, specifically heralding the coming of a new era or event in one’s life. Dead crows have been known to represent death and transformation.

Dead crows are also seen as messengers, specifically heralding the coming of a new era or event in one’s life. In some cultures, they also signify being free from bondage or restriction. Seeing dead crows can be interpreted as a sign of change on the horizon.

There is a Biblical meaning of dead birds. A bird’s ability to fly puts them closer to the heavens and elevates them above the human world, giving them a special role in religion. Some types of birds came to represent parts of the Christian soul and the Saints themselves. The white dove was particularly significant, representing the Holy Spirit and indicating a blessing from God.

On the other hand, dead birds were considered to show failure – a warning to prepare someone for the challenges ahead. They might also be a sign of a loved one passing away.

After reading all of this, I think I will take the high road, and say the bird prophesized a positive change. We were recently told we will become great-grandparents for the second time.

Did I mention that I am not superstitious?

Roland’s trivia question of the week?

Name the six NFL teams that have won only one Super Bowl.

Answer can be found here.