“Sugar and spice, and everything nice.
That’s what little girls are made of.”

Our featured guests in this month’s Kid’s Korner column are pictured (L to R) Shiloh and Olivia Smith. Their proud parents are Seadrift residents Matt and Megan Smith. Even prouder still are their grandparents Tim and Beverly Smith who pastor Seadrift’s First Assembly of God Church and grandparents Pat and Dana Durham. Both girls attend Seadrift School. Olivia is seven and in the first grade. Shiloh is five and is in Pre-K.

When asked about a range of topics here is what the girls had to say:

Parents:
Olivia: “Mommy is special because she helps us clean our room.” Shiloh: “I love my daddy because he gives us candy and he lets us go outside to play.”

Favorite Foods:
Olivia: “My favorite food is fish and taquitos.” Shiloh: “My favorite food is mac and cheese.”

Pets:
Olivia and Shiloh have two dogs Remi and Ruger who are German Shorthair Pointers. Olivia: “They chase cats and sleep with us.” Shiloh: “They come on our trampoline and jump with us.”

Favorite Things to Do:
Olivia: “We like to go to the park with Gigi (Beverly Smith) and I love to sing. I also love going to the beach with my Gammy (Dana Durham). Shiloh: “I like to go to the playground and slide on the slide and I like to play the drums. I love to watch dinosaurs with my PawPaw (Tim Smith). I love to watch my Papa (Pat Durham) in the Texas Mile.”

Jesus:
Olivia: “Jesus is special because He died on the cross for our sins.” Shiloh: “Jesus is special because He protects us.”

Favorite Bible Story:
Olivia: “My favorite Bible Story is Adam and Eve.” Shiloh: “My favorite Bible Story is when they put the crown of thorns on Jesus’ head.”

In the book of Psalms in the Bible it reads: “You (God) have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” (Psalm 8:2)

The June meeting for Calhoun County Democratic Club will be held Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the Calhoun County Library, in the community room, 200 W Mahan St., Port Lavaca.

Social/potluck is at 5:30 p,m, and the meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.

Got questions? Concerned about democracy? Come and join us
.
You can RSVP for our monthly meetings here:
mobilize.us/calhouncountydemocrats/event/457242/

Convention:
Texas Democratic State Convention will be June 6-8, 2024 in El Paso.
More info:
CalhounTXDemocrats.org

I often use a phrase that I have come to dislike, and that phrase is ‘move the needle.’

At first glance it seems innocent enough, a phrase that should not really be causing anyone any harm or anxiety.

I believe I found it through media about basketball, such as when my favorite team made a trade but the package they received was not enough to make a real difference to the teams fortunes.

It didn’t ‘move the needle’ on the virtual meter of affecting wins and losses.

Today I find myself using it to gauge how much improvement I’ve made in the terrible life situation I’m still stuck in despite my efforts, usually out of frustration when I feel stuck, when I perceive nothing moving forward.

Sadly it probably is an instrument of self abuse, as I do make progress it just doesn’t change the main pillars of my life that seem most difficult.

For example: Since January I have lost thirty pounds or so, which although it is only a small drop in the bucket towards my weight goal is pretty significant for the time frame of just over five months, and also is a healthy amount of weight to have shed.

But as it does not ‘move the needle’ in making my body work like it did even three years ago or change my prospects for progression, I get upset that it doesn’t seem enough.

Often I ruminate over the fact that despite making changes to my mind, body, and even the soul there always seems to be more work to do, always seems there are more prerequisites I must acquire before I can have the things that would make me feel better about where I am and where I’m headed.

It’s a fools game to be sure, but when you are doing disciplined tasks, when you are going outside your comfort zone to do things like surgery, when you’re trying to be the best version of yourself to others but you still feel stuck in the same place with the same hunger in your belly, it starts to wear on your outlook.

Especially when you feel your wants are just really needs others take for granted or come by pretty easily.

Worse, it makes all the progress you do make feel pretty worthless and unrecognized, as if it was not worth doing in the first place, especially when it comes to the inner changes that should have made the biggest difference as I was always told they would…in time.

That’s where the real salt lies in the waiting.

Everything is on this timer and it just seems to tick on and on and it never seems to reach zero. It almost feels like someone keeps adding more time to it, the constant ticking getting in your head and wrecking havoc.

In the end, I know what I’ve accomplished and how much I’ve survived and endured through the past few years if not longer, but it still leaves my pockets empty, my heart feeling the same, and the sense that either my efforts are still not enough or that I myself am not enough.

I know the truth but that needle remains idle and I stare at it all the time.

Female Belted Kingfisher observed perched near a small pond during the Brazoria Bottomlands Christmas bird count.
Photo taken on Dec. 30, 2023 by Taylor Bennett.

This time of year marks the start of our beach-nesting bird monitoring season and also spring migration. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will be monitoring for nesting Wilson’s Plovers and Least Terns within Brazoria County and Matagorda County. Both of these species are protected by the Migratory Bird Act and are considered species of high concern due to habitat loss and disturbance. Along with our beach-nesting birds, we observe other species as well such as the Belted Kingfisher.

Belted Kingfishers are stocky birds that can be seen from Fall to Spring along the Texas Coast. Some even stay here year-round. They prefer to be near any source of water such as creeks, bayous, estuaries, and even backyard fish ponds with a perch close by. We typically see them in Matagorda perched on the telephone wire along the main road next to the wetland habitat.

Belted Kingfishers are easily distinguishable from other bird species. They have a small blue-gray body, a large head with a crest similar to a mohawk, a white collar, a blue-gray belly band, and thick, dagger-like bill.
Usually in the bird world, the male is more colorful than the female. But in the Belted Kingfisher’s case, it’s the opposite. Females have a chestnut belly band that extends to the sides of their body. The males lack the chestnut coloring and just have the blue-gray belly band instead. Immature Belted Kingfishers also appear different than their parents. They instead have a rufous and slate-gray belly band instead of blue-gray belly band. The adults also have a distinct rattle like call which they use to protect their territory.

If you haven’t already guessed by their name, the Belted Kingfisher’s main prey is fish. They mainly feed on small fish such as sticklebacks, mummichogs, and trout. They are only capable of feeding on fish that are small in size. When fish are not abundant, Belted Kingfisher can also feed on crayfish, crabs, insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, young birds, small mammals, and even berries.

Belted Kingfishers mainly hunt by perching on a branch, telephone wire, or pier piling near a body of clear water. When they spot a fish, they swoop down head-first towards the water, eyes closed, and bill slightly open. Their bill acts as a pincher holding on to the fish. They then return to their perch and stun their prey by pounding it against their perch before swallowing it head-first.

The Belted Kingfisher’s stomach chemistry actually changes over time. When they are young, their stomachs are more acidic, and therefore, more capable of dissolving fish bones, scales, and exoskeletons of insects. As they begin to fly, their stomachs become more alkaline and they start to regurgitate pellets instead.

Belted Kingfishers nest in burrows within dirt banks along streams or rivers. During breeding season, both the male and female use their bill to dig the burrow. It can take up to three weeks to complete and ends up being 3 to 6 ft. deep. The female then lays 5-8 eggs and using fish bones, scales, and exoskeletons to insulate the nest.

Belted Kingfisher are common and widespread, so their conservation status is of least concern. They are; however, protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. On behalf of Gulf Coast Bird Observatory thanks for reading.

Weekly Events:
Wednesdays: 8:00 am-9:00 am Coffee & Conversation at POC Library
Wednesdays: 9:30-10:30 am Bingo followed by Loteria
Wednesdays: 4:30 pm Boy Scouts meet at Scout Hall in Seadrift
Wednesdays: 1:00-3:30 Mah Jongg, POC Library
Thursdays: POC Bridge at Library 1:00-3:00 pm
Saturdays: 7:00 pm Friends of Bill W at First Baptist Church POC

Monthly Meetings:
2nd Monday Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce
6:00 pm Port O’Connor Library
3rd Wednesday Seadrift Chamber of Commerce
6:00 pm Seadrift Train Depot
3rd Thursday POC Water Board Meeting
1:00 pm 39 Denman Drive
1st Saturday Roll Off Bin
8-2 or until full Behind the POCID office

Mon., May 20 Powderhorn/Mat. Island Hunting Info
6:00 pm Port O’Connor Library
Sat., May 25 Kid’s Fish Tournament
7:30 am King Fisher Beach
Sat., May 25 Kite Flying Contest
12:30 pm King Fisher Beach
Tues., May 28 Run-off Election Constable & Tax Assessor
7 am – 7 pm Port O’Connor Library
June 3-6 Vacation Bible School
9:00 -Noon POC First Baptist Church
Mon., June 3 Republican Club
6:00 pm Drifters Hall, 5287 FM 3084, PL
Tues., June 4 Democratic Club
6:00 pm Calhoun County Library
Tues., June 4 Bunco
6:30 pm Port O’Connor Community Center
June 7 & 8 Seadrift Shrimpfest on the Seadrift Bayfront
Sat., June 8 Farmers Market
8:00-Noon King Fisher Beach