I'm delighted to learn that people who remember reading poetry in school will now be on the rediscovery trail.

Nancy Boyea Baker read my column on James Whitcomb Riley and was reminded of an old box of books in her attic.

She says, "My mother, who is 91 and still going strong, had a book by this author. She received it on Christmas 1929. It is called 'Riley Fairy Tales.' It had one of the poems you mentioned in the paper called 'Nine Little Goblins.' You brought back some memories and also that I must clean my attic maybe in the next 15 years."

Former Clinton County resident and dear friend Jane Lawliss Murphy wrote from Long Island saying that she reads the column each week and by that means she can regularly "hear your 'voice,' Gordie. I think it leaves me with a sense of being in touch." Her book of growing-up memories entitled "Sugar on Snow" has been a huge hit around here. She has now written a delightful book of her own poetry with the title "Groping For the Ground" that made me laugh and cry.

Another friend read my column on hats and said, "Two of the most famous ones that come to mind are those worn by Bear Bryant, coach of the Crimson Tide of Alabama, and Tom Landry, coach of the Dallas Cowboys for so many years."

Joanne Bodah commented on old toys. She says, "When I was little, it almost didn't matter what else I got for Christmas, as long as I got my big box of Crayola Crayons and coloring books. When my kids were little, I helped them color in their coloring books. Now I help my grandsons. A month or so ago, the seven-year-old noticed one of my collector tins and asked why I didn't open it. I took that as a warning and went to the store to buy him a box of 48. At their house, my daughter is always throwing out broken crayons (heaven forbid) but it's not a problem. Nana goes out and buys more when she finds out. People tend to forget that kids don't need expensive toys as much as they need an adult spending time with them."



FLUTTER PIGGIES
I told Jack Glasgow what he started when I wrote about how his wife, Chris, refers to their hummingbirds as "flutter piggies." Richard Gregoire from Cadyville suggested that I try different feeders to attract them. I bought two new ones and filled them with Kaye's sweet nectar. A single hummingbird stopped by for a short sip and flitted away.

Many readers added their own stories. Criss Bass from AuSable Forks explained how a tiny bird once got its tongue stuck around an ant in their hummingbird feeder. They managed to free the bird, which was no doubt most grateful.

A similar thing happened to Kaye and me. A goldfinch caught its head inside the hole in a tube feeder. I was unable to free it with my gloved hand. I tried to dismantle the feeder, but the screws and bolts were rusted. Just as I was about to cut the end of the feeder off with my hacksaw, Kaye tapped the end of it on an outside chair and freed the finch, which flew quickly away.

My friend Cornell Rowbotham wrote from Las Vegas, saying, "I was once looking at some pretty flowering trees — not sure what they were — and noticing the hubbub of activity around the flowers. I thought they were tremendously large bees or California bugs! Well, lo and behold, there were seemingly hundreds of thumb-sized hummingbirds flitting about. I had never seen so many at one time."

Barb Harris said, "Loved your Sunday article. Okay, how do you keep the ants and bees out of your hummingbird feeders? You didn't share that secret."

I told her that I just clean them regularly.

Suzanne "Shan" Moore who edits this column ably every week, had her own experience to relate: "I once had to transport an injured hummingbird to a specialist. It had hit a window and was out cold for hours, then suddenly came to life. That exquisite, shimmery bird was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen, especially as it awoke so suddenly from what appeared to be certain death."

Keep those letters coming. Thanks so much for your support. Have great day and please, drive carefully.

Gordie Little was for many years a well-known radio personality in the North Country and now hosts the "Our Little Corner" television program for Home Town Cable. Anyone with comments for him may send them to the newspaper or e-mail him at gordandk@aol.com.