the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach part 13

The temperatures have been heating up. The thermometer was pegged on 100F in the shade. The thermometer on my back deck in the sun reached 122F at 2:00pm.

Last January, only six months ago, we had temps that dropped to -15F with the wind chill factor.

Welcome to New England.

I am always amazed at the resilience of the beach pigeons surviving in the extremes of our fluctuating temperatures.

Still, you gotta love Salisbury beach.

There is a certain style, attitude and lifestyle that is a part of living by the Massachusett's coastline. Things that you don't normally think about but are unique to this area despite the globalization and massive chain store invasion amalgamation.

Yes, I shucked clams as a kid, I was on the "Major Mudd" show during the 60's, I head to Hampton beach in the summer, I cheer for the Red Sox no matter what, I listen to Howie Carr on the radio,I apple pick in the fall, I know what greenheads are, I 've been to the saint's festivals in the North End, and I go to the Patriot's day parade on April 19th in Lexington.

I don't wear skimpy clothing, I'm not a huggy feelie person. I'm a bit uptight.

Yes, I am a true Bostonian.

This is a part of my identity and yes, I'm proud of it

I remember about 25 years ago sitting in the airport down in Miami. A fellow with a dark tan wearing a tropical shirt drinking a cocktail said to me in this slow languid accent, "I can tell you are from Boston". I was wearing a Lacosste shirt and tailored pants. As soon as I opened my mouth the Boston accent came out. I laughed and said to him, "I can tell you are from Florida!"

It made me sad when I went to Texas last January and half the people did not have that distinct Texan accent. Some of the transient "Texans" even made fun of those who had the accent.

I thought that was rather sad.

I enjoyed the Texans with their distinct accent and friendly 'big' ways. I loved the cowboys hats, boots, steak houses (even though I don't eat steak) and the pretty ladies with big hair. I hated seeing a "Burlington coat factory", "home depot" and "Olive garden" in their strip malls.

Beleive it or not, I noticed the pigeons.

The pigeons were a bit bigger but a little more scroggier in Texas.

The pigeons in San Francisco were really scroggie looking but super friendly with more color variations.

The resident pigeons were unique like the resident people.

I hope the pigeons are proud of who and what they are.