My perspective of being old has changed as I have aged. Just last week when taking my mother to three different appointments – the dentist, the medical doctor and the audiologist, I was amazed how young my mother really is. Her dentist gave her a new tooth at 9:30 a.m., the only non-original tooth in her mouth, as she has maintained her teeth for 92 years.

Then at 11:30 a.m. her medical doctor told her she was a very "young old person" and that she was probably the living age of a 72 year old. Her doctor said "I have seen very old young people who have not taken care of themselves like you have taken care of yourself."

Then, without time for lunch, we proceeded to have her ears tested by the audiologist. When completing the paperwork and questionnaire on hearing and communication, my mother, Ertle, wrote down the address and necessary information. When she came to age, she wrote the number "72". I laughed and asked her why she did that. She said confidently, "Dr. Secor said I was 72."



Of course, now we look at the meaning of wisdom, which my mother definitely has because she can outsmart her daughter in reacting to situations. The definition of old is "aged" whereas "wisdom" according to Webster's dictionary, is "discerning and judging soundly what is true or false, proper or improper." How we look to those who have mentored and guided us through the years, such as our mothers.

Speaking of mothers, soon we will honor them on their special day in May. Have you ever thought about how Mother's Day got started? According to the website www.dltk-bible.com, the fourth Sunday was always considered as Mothering Sunday because it was a time during Lent.

About 150 years ago a woman named Anna Jarvis, wanted to organize a special day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community because her mother believed in the cause and called it "Mother's Work Day".

Then when Anna Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna, wanted to honor her mother for beginning the tradition. Then she talked to leaders and even presidents to try to create a special day.

By 1914 a man named Woodrow Wilson signed a bill recognizing Mother's Day as a national holiday. Anna's mother's favorite flower was the white carnation so that is why mothers often received white carnations. However, young Anna ended up disliking Mother's Day because the day became too commercial with expensive gifts and fancy flowers.

Anna felt her mother just wanted to be remembered with a card and special treatment on her day and didn't want anything else. No matter what, all mothers, young and old, like to be remembered, so please remember your special lady no matter where she lives.



Many special women I knew in my life were not even mothers, but were my mentors and symbols of wisdom. Louese McCully and Florence Swanson were two such ladies who have since passed away who I knew in the Lutheran Church. Another lady, who I honor now for her wisdom on birdwatching and general outlook on life, is Mary Montgomery. Nancy Robinson is another lady who does have children and who definitely mothers all of us in her special way, and we do love her cooking and baking! So, if you know someone who has touched your life, let them know they have done just that.



We want to thank Vera Purdy of Centerville, who brought Tom an envelope of hummingbird flower seeds and also a copy of The Mystic Telegram. The newspaper was dated April 15, 1926, with a cartoon showing "The Backyard Farmer's Night" with all kinds of bugs, such as potato bugs, aphids and ladybugs chasing the farmer. The paper, crackled and yellowed with age, had political announcements, eighth grade examination schedule, high school notes, church notes with Christian Church, Seventh Day Adventist, United Brethren and Methodist churches listed, Etiquette by Miss Flo, and About Your Health by John Joseph Gaines, M.D. Advertising included Standard Oil Company, Birk Taxi, Iowa Southern Utilities, and Wrigleys P.K. - 3 for 5 cents. Also, Mr. Farmer – we will pay the highest market price for your cream!

Upon studying the History of Mystic (orange book), Mystic had three newspapers, the Letter, The Mystic Telegram and The Sentinel. Walter Scott was reported to be the first newspaper publisher. The Telegram was founded in 1906 by W.C. Raymond and sold to Roy Godsey and then acquired by A.R. Scott. The son, L.R. Scott assumed the management of the newspaper.

I noticed in the orange book that copies of neither the Telegram or Sentinel are on file at the Iowa Historial Museum. Perhaps with Vera Purdy's permission we will put this antique paper on file at the museum. We thank Vera for being so interested in the town of Mystic, its history and also in hummingbirds!



I have heard several people say they have seen the hummingbirds but I have not seen them yet. We have welcomed the rose-breasted grosbeaks, but have not seen the northern orioles. If you want to learn more about birds and butterflies, please come down to the Mystic Community Center from 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 3, for biscuits and gravy, french toast, rolls and juice and coffee. Kids – we will be potting a flower for mom and doing some crafts. Parents—we have a short video on Backyard Habitat, and prairie seed packets will be available from our own Brant Schmell of Wild Designs Landscaping.

Also, we may have some song-bird shrubs. So bring your appetite and a donation to the Mystic Community Betterment would be greatly appreciated so that we may continue to have events such as this in Mystic. Be on the lookout for the Mystic calendar of events in the water bill and posted at the Mystic City Hall, Post Office and Community Center. The Mystic Community Betterment would like to encourage a representative from every group in Mystic to come to a special meeting in May to plan for the July 5 Goat Races! Meeting will be announced soon.

Please, everyone is invited to the breakfast so please bring your friends and neighbors!



Thanks to all of you who have made calls and comments about birding and my articles in general, especially to Rollin Howell, the lady calling about Mystic, Mo., and Vera Purdy for her interest in Mystic. Our sympathy to the family of Pat Jones also.

Everyone does have a story so I am always looking for a story to tell you. Whether we are 1 to 100, wisdom and age is appreciated in everyone. Sometimes the wisdom of a little child can take care of situations that may be hurtful to another.

Andy, our grandson, raced his Batman car in the pinewood derby in Fort Dodge. Noelle, our granddaughter, had a pink car called "Girls Rule" to race also, but there was not a category for her to race. Breck had helped both of them on crafting their cars. Andy had won two trophies, one for second place and one for participation. He decided to give his sister the second trophy just because "she needed one too." I am always surprised how kids can turn a situation around so another feels better.



Of course, then there are the stories of many people who lived a long life, such as my mother, who cares for every son, daughter, grand-child, great-grandchild as if they are all special. Now that is a hard task as she seems to love everyone "the best.”

Don't forget to honor age, wisdom and your mother next week and each and every day from now on.