Encountering a Parasitic Bird Species

      A few weeks ago, I left the empty pellet buckets near the bunk feeders and put out the last hay bale of the season. To my surprise on returning, a black bird with a dark brown head lingered unusually close to the stacked buckets. As the photo illustrates, I was able to approach the bird whose species was unknown to me so I  snapped the photo. Filled with curiosity, I ventured closer. I had never gotten so close in proximity to a healthy, wild creature.

The male cowbird spotted at the feeders
I don't have a very good, long lens so I 
was quite close to this feathered creature.

    The little fowl appeared almost mesmerized until it began hopping under the bunk feeder. My compassionate side took over, I thought Oh this bird may have a damaged wing rendering it unable to fly. That thought had hardly passed through my mind before the small dark bird took to wing.

    Later that evening after viewing the photo, I referred to some of Dad’s bird books. I quickly identified it as a male brown-headed cowbird. As I read further in my internet researching, I was surprised to learn cowbirds were considered birds with “a parasitic lifestyle.” One description of the cowbird even dubbed the female cowbird as the “actual devil of birds.”

    The female cowbird lays her eggs in the prepared nests of other bird breeds. The unfit mother cowbird has been observed destroying the host bird’s eggs or baby birds and replacing the destroyed egg by laying one of her own.

    I reflected on what a sheen the feathers of the small, helpless-appearing bird had. I initially thought the jet-black bird was hampered by a damaged wing. Unfortunately, I had not known the true characteristics of the brown-headed cowbird.

    The female cowbird is so destructive that some species have become extinct due to the cowbird’s parasitism. Ironically, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects the brown-headed cowbird. Three species whose numbers have been affected include the indigo bunting with its gorgeous blue feathers, the Baltimore Oriole, and the black-capped vireo.

    Researchers have observed a Yellow Warbler build multiple levels of nests to cover the cowbird eggs on the lowest level and preserve her own eggs that will be laid and hatched. Other birds have been seen "booting" the renegade cowbird eggs from their nests so they can nurture their own young. Some bird families have even abandoned their own constructed nests, moved to a new location, all in an effort to preserve their brood for that hatching season.

    How uncanny that our own human families are attacked by the devil much like the female brown-headed cowbird preys on the nests of over 220 species! Just as the brown-headed female cowbird is destructive to the nests of so many birds in Oklahoma so is the devil to our lives and families. In the gospel of John, Jesus discusses the devil and his sinister characteristics in chapter 8, verses 44, …the devil…was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 

    That little male brown-headed cowbird seemed so innocent. In the same way, God told His people how those who follow Satan’s ways will impact their children, literally "sucking the life" from them in Deuteronomy 7:4, For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

    That destruction need not happen if our families are always watchful and alert to the attacks from spiritual parasites. Moses instructed them in Deuteronomy 7:9, …Know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. Just as some nesting birds battle tenaciously against the ruinous brown-headed female cowbird, so we must be vigilant and watchful for Satan. Most importantly, love the Lord, know His Word, obey His Word, and teach your children to do the same.

Easter Sunday in the Bend in 1951

              A photo of the fledgling Baptist Mission congregation in the Bend came to my mind this week. In 1951, Easter was celebrated on March 25. The unoccupied house on the Lora Betts place (now owned by the descendants of Eloise Mitchell and Marilyn Mills) served as an early meeting location.

Children identified: Margaret Ann Forbes, Melody Evatt, Gilbert Wayne Morris, Vickie and Marian Rice, Linda Forbes, Jimmy
 Evatt, Jerry Evatt, Ronnie Rice, Ann Evatt. Young Adults identified: Lola and Melva Lynn,Dean Rice, Alphonso Littlestar.
  Adults: Calvin and Gladys Smith, Ruby and Elmer Rice, Merlene and Junior Morris, Geraldine and Harold Forbes, Garland Evatt,
Edmund Gates. (My mother snapped the photo.) Brother George Washington Megee is wearing a suit, tie, and a hat. (Nothing was
written on the back of this photo, but Grandma wrote on the front,Baptist mission at the Betts' place, 1951.

            Brother George Megee, a schoolteacher living in Little Chief north of Fairfax, pastored the small congregation. His wife, Grayce, and his children proved to be an asset to the little mission. Grayce, a hard worker and provider for her family’s table, could be found canning in half-gallon jars in the summer. Mother remembered Grayce specifically canning corn in those large glass jars.

            An interesting fact from the photo revealed the oldest person in the photo had just turned 60. That was my grandfather, Calvin Callcayah Smith. (Grandpa was younger than I am!) Brother Megee, the bivocational pastor age 44, was a career teacher. Over half in the photograph that Easter morning was under 18 years old.

            Pastors, pastors' wives, teaching and medical missionaries, Bible teachers, and many faithful servants of the Lord have sprung from the families of this group of believers united in their desire to serve the Lord. At least a dozen descendants from this “house” church, still live in the Bend today. All of them remain active in their church congregations. Mother is the only one in the photograph who continues to reside in the Bend.   

            Is there a difference in the observance of the resurrection of Christ in the 21st century, 71 years after the inaugural Easter service for the little mission? How should we respond to C.S. Lewis’s phrase  - “death working backwards” - a phrase Lewis used to describe the Resurrection of Jesus? When we embrace the truth of it, we repent and receive Jesus as the only source of redemption and salvation. Then we respond to the command of the angel to the women, “(as you) Go… tell…that He is risen from the dead.” Yes, this is the way Resurrection people truly celebrate not just on Easter Sunday but every day of the year. Not just in the Nifty Fifties but for us today.

Vickie and Marian Rice in their Easter finery.
 Looking at this photo, reminded me of the
 last time, I saw Marian. She and Dawn, her sister, 
were at the 60th wedding anniversary reception
 for my parents. Marian looked at Dad and said
with pride, "I was Ed's first pianist!" She was
quite young, but a gifted keyboardist. She and
Dad led worship for the Big Bend Baptist Church.
So often Mother will say, with fond memories,
 "They were such sweet little girls!"

 Mother snapped this photo of Gilbert Wayne Morris.
Junior, Merlene, and Gilbert Wayne were their closest
neighbors at that time. Mother dearly loved Gilbert
Wayne.
    

Substance Over Symbolism

        I heard recently that difficult seasons of our lives foster creativity. Situations such as reduced finances, limited resources, physical constraints, or perceived inadequacy have led to ingenuity. Mother frequently quoted in her parenting, Necessity is the mother of invention.

LaRene Akers, 2nd and 3rd 
Grade Teacher at Ralston
Public School

        I pinpointed activities in my early days that developed the right side of my brain or creative source. The recollection of teachers began with LaRene Akers who allowed second and third graders time to design construction paper creations. Often we depicted holiday symbols or historical items commemorating the observance of the month. What fun when scissors snipped, and glue flowed freely constructing a masterpiece that we gazed on with satisfaction!

Floris Brandenburg, close school 
chum at the Woodland School in 
the Bend in the 1920s of my aunt, 
Ella Gates Bledsoe. She taught
me in 4th-6th grader at Ralston
Public School.

        So many of Ralston upper elementary students for decades had Floris Brandenburg, affectionately called Mrs. B, who had us tackle using hacksaws to “whittle out” cutting boards in the shape of pigs. (I took a hacksaw from home for this project  - carrying it in my hand on the bus since I never owned a backpack as a kid!) Many fellow students honed with great success oil painting, sketching, and other creative expression. I loved forming the platonic solid at Christmas from circles cut from construction paper and folded into triangles. Then the triangles were glued together and sprinkled with sparkly glitter for a festive effect when the finished product dangled from the ceiling of the classroom.

        Laura Collard taught reading, spelling, language, and art during my sixth through eighth grade years. For many years, one of my art projects created during the spring of 1969 appeared in our home Easter decorations. Using a balloon, as a base, I fashioned a sturdy paper mache egg, carefully cut the top from it, reinforced the edge of the lid and its base’s edge. too. Using gold spray paint, I replicated the proverbial golden egg. In keeping with the flower power of the 1960s, I meticulously cut flowers from felt in pink, blue, hot pink and red. After gluing the black centers on the flowers, I plastered them over the golden egg. Finally,  I scavenged through Grandma’s scraps and found jumbo rickrack to adorn the edge of the lid of the golden egg.

Laura Collard taught me in 6th-
8th Grades at Ralston Public 
School.

        I was so pleased with the golden egg. It was such a perfect symbol of Easter for a 7^th grader. My sister and I anticipated coloring eggs for weeks in advance. We looked forward to Dad hiding them in the yard for us and pulled from the top shelf of the closet the same two baskets we used year after year.

        Yet Angie and I clearly had been taught the glorious Sunday in spring for egg-hunting was most importantly the observation of the resurrection of Jesus. Neither of us can remember not knowing of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. We were taught of all humans’ sinfulness and that Jesus alone could take sin away and give purpose and a new life.

The Golden Paper Mache 
Egg on Easter 1969 in my
custom-made Easter "frock"
with the matching hair bow.
Both were designed and 
made lovingly by Grandma,
Gladys Rainey Smith.

        As we approach Easter, even though we enjoy the symbols of Easter, such as egg hunts, golden prize eggs, baskets of goodies, large family dinners, new outfits to wear, and various other things, may we always dwell in our thoughts, discussion, and devotion on the substantive truth of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus.

Easter Sunday in 1991

Girls in the Sunday School class I taught
on Easter Sunday 1991 were standing -Carrie
Wills, Misty Kimbrell, Lesley Mitchell, and
Shannon LeGrand, and Lori Mitchell kneeling.

As Easter approaches, my memories are always associated with the glorious worship of the resurrection of Jesus. These pictures archive a time when the church was in a weakened state after a pastor's resignation, but as Dad liked to say, "God always has a man." Charles and Jean Welch had such a heart for our small congregation. This Easter celebration was not marked by huge crowds but by wholeheartedly realizing apart from the Resurrection of Jesus as Paul said, "...if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" May this little reminiscence, add to your daily worship of the risen Savior as we approach Easter. 

Brother Charles helps Colin
West Lowe count his eggs.
Brother Charles had coached
and taught math at Marland
 and Newkirk in the early days
 of his marriage to his beloved
 wife, Jean. He loved numbers
 and any process associated
with them!

            That joyous Easter season found us without a fulltime pastor, but not without a shepherd. Charles Welch, a corporate employee of American Airlines, and his wife, Jean, faithfully guided and lovingly cared for us until we called another pastor. To this day, Jean, now a widow, continues to hold a special place in her  heart for the small Ralston Baptist Church.

         At that time, I taught the upper elementary girls’ Sunday School class. What joy to see girls grow, learn, and mature in the Lord! The week before Easter, Barbara Rice helped me host a party for both upper elementary boys and girls Sunday School classes. My father taught the boys class each Sunday but was glad Barbara readily agreed to help with the party. The students dyed eggs to place in decorated containers with specially- made cards for a few elderly people.   

            

Background -Carrie Wills putting the
finishing touches on a basket for an 
elderly friend. Samantha Kimbrell and
Barbara Rice encourage her as Tyler 
Rice prepares to attach a sticker to the
basket.

Judy Lowe watching Brendon West
Lowe spotting an egg.

            Recently, someone asked about the era when the church held fifth Sunday dinners. The photos proved March 31, 1991, one of the fifth Sundays of the year, also was Easter Sunday. So of course, a small egg hunt followed the shared fellowship dinner.

            As I perused the 1991 Easter photos, I discovered a photo from the Sunday evening service. Following a lesson plan from my March/April issue of Evangelizing Today’s Child, I created an edible tomb of Rice Krispies and marshmallows. We had the best time celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus together and then devouring the Rice Krispies treat tomb.

Back - Cortney Keil and  Destanee Robertson
Front - Michael Widener, Caleb and Tyler Rice, 
and Brendon Lowe. with the Rice Krispie Tomb. 

            It seems perfect to end this blog post with the announcement of the 125^th

Buddy Colvin and Rusty Bentley designing 
cards for the Easter basket recipients.

anniversary of the Ralston Baptist Church. It will be observed on November 13, 2022. For all who have ties to the church, save the date for a wonderful marking of God’s blessing on Ralston Baptist Church by preserving a congregation in such a small place for a century and a quarter. Also the anniversary celebration will be a perfect opportunity to see and visit with old friends from the church and community.

Tom Britt and Colin Lowe get help
from Edmund Gates with egg hunting.

Carrie Wills and Samantha Kimbrell excited about
the Easter basket as Barbara Rice looks on.