Wild Goose Chase

 

 

     Out by Gracie Pond, a few miles from Cortland, there's a first-rate family that takes care of a gaggle of wild geese year 'round. That family would be the Phelps. They feed the geese when times are lean and tough--you know, when too much ice covers the pond, and when too much snow covers the corn stubble in nearby fields.
    Winter was easy on the geese this year. Gracie Pond seldom iced over entirely, and nearby corn fields had little snow cover. About three dozen geese have made the pond their winter home.
     The Phelps have identified the geese by odd markings or peculiar habits. They gave names to each of the geese. Birthdays are special occasions. Mary Goose, on her second birthday, got a birthday cake with white icing and sprinkles of cracked corn. Old Emma and Charles, when they turned twelve years old, got a dozen bran muffins. On his fourth birthday, Tourist got a half-dozen corn muffins but had to share them with a few aggressive young ganders, led by Pirate.
    Sometimes it's impossible to separate hungry geese. Seagulls are worse, I think. That's nature's way or God's way. Take your pick or settle with both.
    The Phelps get their sacks of cracked corn from the old Space farm on nearby McLean Road. All the baking for birthdays is done in the big kitchen at the Phelps' house.
    I suppose you want to know why you can't find the Phelps' address in the telephone book? Can't answer that. It's James and Mildred Phelps, you'd be looking for. Folks say it's the big yellow house with the bright red roof--if you care to drive out there and look. They say you  can't miss it.
    I'm just telling you what I know. No need to embellish it with facts.