from the archives

24_Mar.WH05SRE.inddThis was in the March 24, 2015 Omaha World-Herald.

“I think you made the paper today…is this you?” – Jenn (texted to me at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning)

“Yes!”, I responded to my cousin’s question. “This is in today’s paper??”

“Yep! Living Section page 5E”, was her reply.

Well now…isn’t that just WEIRD! I can’t even tell you just how weird it was seeing a picture of yourself in the newspaper which was taken 42 years earlier. So, of course, I immediately had to share it with my kids, which Jamie, in turn, shared on Facebook. This led to questions and I decided it would just be better if I took the time to tell the story.

It’s been a while since I wrote on here! I’ve had so many different trips and things to do, I haven’t taken time to write like I’d like to and this was just the inspiration I needed to get started again.

This all began the summer of 1973. I was 11 years old. And…I was going to be a famous writer one day. Chirpy was my first actual story that I wrote and sent to someone else to read. And the huge write-up in the Omaha World Herald was a result of that great writing. I think I might have the original letter somewhere but I haven’t a clue where it’s at. Maybe mom still has it.

IMG_7795“You look like a hippie” – one of the comments from the girls after they saw the picture from the paper. “I WAS a hippie”, I said. 🙂  This picture is so 1973! Look at that bandana and those wire rimmed glasses! I particularly like the change purse snapped on the brake cable on my Schwinn 10-speed bike.  How about the Holly Hobby tank top? The one thing in this picture I really do like is my POW bracelet!! I oftentimes wonder whatever happened to the young man whose name I wore on my wrist. 

I had just returned from Girl Scout camp. I had been gone for quite some time – maybe a week? Maybe two, I just don’t remember. When I got home, there was this tiny, ugly creature in a box on the kitchen table. I don’t remember how much earlier (a day or so) my brothers had found this baby bird in the backyard. Details are a bit sketchy now. Apparently, though, it had fallen out of its nest during a storm. It wasn’t very old. I’m guessing maybe only a day or two and just ugly.

I turned the chore of keeping this baby bird alive to mine. What did it eat? Well, we began feeding it soggy bread with a pair of tweezers. It didn’t know any better, I guess, and it did quite well. As it grew, we substituted the soggy bread for mashed peas and hot dogs. Crazy, right?? Yeah, I don’t know why we fed it that but it continued to grow.

I remember when he first started to venture out of his homemade “nest”, he walked backwards. And when I would call “Chirpy”, he would chirp back at me. Later that summer, I went to stay with some friends at their farm. Chirpy, of course, came along with me but the intention was for me to release chirpy at the farm. I can still remember the day that I took him outside and hoped with all my heart that he wouldn’t fly away. Unfortunately, even with all the hoping (and praying), Chirpy did fly away. I knew he would be much happier where he was but it broke my heart.

Several days went by. I was really missing my little friend. He lived in a birdcage but he enjoyed his time with me or on the floor eating the crumbs left behind by me and my two younger brothers. So, every time I saw that empty birdcage, it hurt my heart just a little bit more.

Then it happened.

I was outside playing with my friends when Chirpy landed on my head. He liked to ride either on my head or on my shoulder. My hair was just long enough that he liked to crawl between my neck and my hair and then peck at my neck – not hard – just a loving peck, peck, peck. So, when he landed, it was a welcomed surprise because I thought he was gone forever. Chirpy ended up going back home with me.

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It was after that adventure that I decided I was going to write my “human interest” story to the Omaha World Herald. I didn’t have a clue that my mom would receive a phone call from a reporter asking if he could come to our home to get the story. I bet she was just as surprised to receive that phone call as I was when Chirpy landed on my head at the farm.

These pictures are the result of that afternoon.

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As I mentioned earlier, Chirpy loved being on the floor cleaning up what we left behind. Unfortunately, this was how Chirpy eventually met his death. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. My brother accidentally stepped on Chirpy. As far as I was concerned, it was the worst day in history. Poor Mark. I’m sure he felt horrible!

Chirpy wasn’t the only animal that I raised. I remember one other time while on harvest someone ran over a nest of baby rabbits with a grain truck. They killed all but one. I decided I was going to rescue that little guy. And I did. I had to leave harvest (I was with Grandpa and Grandma) for a school trip. Me and that bunny (in a box) boarded a Greyhound bus in Kansas and made the trip on our own. Would you send your young daughter home on a bus all by herself now? NO WAY!

That silly rabbit grew and followed me like a dog. I remember it sprawling out on my chest for a nap. The other funny thing it liked to do was sit in front of the refrigerator (where there was warm air coming from the vent) and clean its ears. This time, it was my mom who stepped on it. I know mom was heartbroken over it but probably not nearly as much as I was…again.

All character builders, I guess. Who would have thought someone could/would be able to raise newly born wild animals on a whim? I certainly had no formal training – just a desire to care for something and no knowledge that it can’t be done. I’m still that way – nothing has changed. I’m not one to easily give up on something or someone. God gives us all gifts. Apparently one of mine is nurturing and caring. What’s one of yours?

14 comments on “from the archives

  1. lindsaychichester says:

    Great story and photos. I remember the first bottle calf I raised. My parents decided to sell her when she was young, as she probably wouldn’t turn out to be much. I was devastated. I supposed it taught me at an early age that you love something as fiercely as you can, because you never know the fate or duration of the relationship (animal and human).

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      And you know…I’m still that way. Go back and read the story of last summer about that silly cat that I was bottle feeding. It took me DAYS to get over the hole that was left in my heart. UGH! I suppose I’ll be like this forever. Thanks for sharing your story with me.

  2. Judeen E Rikli says:

    Loved this story—-so indicative of the Tracy I know!!! Wow—a celebrity among us.

    Happy Easter to all you guys,
    Love & blessings,
    Ross & Judeen

  3. Dian says:

    We raised a bird once too. It had blown out of a nest, during a storm. We thought it might be a robin, it was a sparrow. It lived in a cage in the bathroom for the summer. My husband feed it worms. It would “talk” to him and fly through the house to find him. We went on vacation and when we got home “Birdy was dead. I’m sure we left him food, but I don’t remember what. My husband was in sad for days.

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      Thank you for sharing your story with me, Dian! Funny…I guess I figured I was the ONLY one that had ever done this. 🙂

  4. Never seen picture of anything like that, sparrow was at peace with you. A long cold winter in northern Illinois. Getting ready for spring work. Wish you an family a blessed Easter week.

  5. Tom Stegmeier says:

    A great event in your life, Yes you kind’a look like a hippie but a bit too young. You have to meet my Wife Sandi,She ‘s a real Canadian Hippy , hitched hiked from Ontario to Alberta in 1971, Spent 20 yrs. Banff AB. moved to Vancouver Island —-Hippy Central , Then fell in love with a haywire ex Alberta farmer. Sandi loves the land .

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      Well, I was a bit too young to be a TRUE hippy. 🙂 But I guess that was the style in ’73 anyways. You’re wife sounds like the true hippy.

  6. mom says:

    Tracy I wrote you a note but it did not go so I will send this ..maybe it was to long yes I have the letter and the feathers you sent in the letter to “Rudy” telling him how “Chirpy died….and how Mrs.Cutcliff was impressed with your writing abilities…”The Old Man”..story about your Great
    Grandpa Koch….she kept a copy for her files….”Mr. Rudy”that wrote the story of you and Chirpy
    told me this….His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me…..love and kisses XXOO
    mom….oh Gma D said to tell you hello…and she giggled when we talked of Eli pointing to you then me and then to her ..Ga..Ga..Ga.. so sweet she will be 97 this Nov….WOW…be safe…mom…

  7. Michelle Meyer says:

    You can certainly add writing as one of your gifts. Thanks for sharing!

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      Thanks, Missy! 🙂 I really do LOVE to write when I feel like I can work it into my day.

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