Page 28 - Boca ViewPointe - November '24

Page 28, Viewpointe November 2024
Book Review

What The Chicken Knows: from the hunting velociraptor – an animal from which, in fact, in their precious feathered family members for its individual
personality, color or other physical feature. As she notes, some
your avian assailant is descended.
A New Appreciation Of The pounding the ground in a frenzy. There is no mistaking it; this Just like humans.
“You have been detected. The ominous feet hurry now, are shy, some more aggressive; some affectionate, others aloof.
World’s Most Familiar Bird is a rooster on a rampage – the bane of many an otherwise And they are smart! Here are just a few examples of the
peaceful barnyard.” many surprises you will find in these pages. (Some text has
By Nils A. Shapiro What to do? The answer, shockingly, is to pick it up and been omitted for lack of space):
cuddle it! • “In 2023, a study reported that roosters recognize their own
All you need to know It is from Montgomery’s several decades of her own reflections in mirrors – common … measure of self-awareness.
is that the author is Sy experience raising her “ladies,” many from chicks, plus her Previous experiments show that apes, like humans, do this.”
Montgomery. roosters and all that she has studied about her ever-changing • “Only hours after leaving the egg they are able to walk, run
For millions of readers flocks, that she has filled the pages of this deceptively slim and peck.” (An adult chicken can run as fast as nine miles an
around the world, and I do 96-page book with an extraordinary number of surprising facts hour!)
mean millions, the name Sy about the birds we all – mistakenly – thought we knew. • “Relationships are important to them. The average
Montgomery is associated Within the first few pages you will readily understand why chicken can recognize more than 100 other chickens.
with more than 35 books, more families than you might imagine throughout the nation They can remember the past and anticipate the future, and
many of which have climbed enjoy the company of chickens (how many “pets” offer the gift
the bestseller lists in 25 of eggs in return for their care?) and name each of the birds Book Review on page 30
countries around the world – most describing her exciting
adventures with some of nature’s most fearsome creatures.
It is with good reason How To Protect Your Back As You
that the Boston Globe has
described award-winning
author Sy Montgomery as Return To Working Out
“a combination of Indiana
Jones and Emily Dickinson” As the weather cools gentle stretches or low-impact exercises like walking or
for the beautiful way in down in Florida, many swimming. “It’s crucial not to rush into high-intensity
which she has written about people are eager to get activities if you’ve been sedentary. Gradually build up your
such experiences as being outside and resume more strength and endurance, and always focus on maintaining
chased by a silverback active lifestyles. But after proper posture and body mechanics to prevent strain on
gorilla in Africa, hunted long periods of inactivity, your back and spine.”
by man-eating tigers in particularly during the One key warning sign that it’s time to seek medical
India (National Geographic summer months, it’s attention, according to Dr. Cantor, is if pain lasts longer
produced a TV special important to ease back into than a few weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms
about that), worked in a physical activity to avoid like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. “These
pit with 18,000 snakes in exacerbating back pain could be signs of nerve compression or other spine-related
Manitoba, swam with piranhas and dolphins in the Amazon, or other musculoskeletal conditions that require intervention. Early treatment can
studied octopuses in their Gulf of Mexico habitat for her issues. Dr. Jeffrey Cantor, prevent further damage and help patients get back to their
classic National Book Award finalist Soul of an Octopus, was a spine surgeon at the daily activities more quickly.”
undressed by a wild orangutan, learned the art of falconry so Cantor Spine Center at Jeffrey Cantor, MD - Adult In terms of long-term spine health, Dr. Cantor advises
she could hunt as a partner with one of the world’s most feared the Paley Orthopedic and Cervical and Lumbar Spine regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and
predators … and too many more to touch on here. Spine Institute and on staff Surgeon practicing good ergonomics in both work and home
at West Boca Medical Center, offers valuable advice for environments. “Prevention is always the best treatment.
managing back pain and knowing when to seek treatment. Simple changes, such as improving posture, strengthening
“Back pain is something that many people experience, core muscles, and avoiding prolonged periods of sitting,
especially after extended periods of inactivity,” explains can make a significant difference.”
Dr. Cantor. “While a little discomfort is normal when Dr. Cantor’s holistic approach to spine care emphasizes not
returning to exercise, any sharp, persistent pain could be only relieving current pain but also helping patients maintain
a sign of something more serious. It’s important to listen long-term back health. For those experiencing persistent back
to your body and know when to seek professional care.” pain, a visit to a specialist can provide clarity and a customized
For those looking to become more active, Dr. Cantor treatment plan to restore function and mobility.
stresses the importance of starting slowly and incorporating To find a spine surgeon, please call (855) 929-5793.

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So, I was more than a little surprised when I learned that
Sy’s new book, published this month, is devoted to … chickens!
My first thought was, what could there possibly be to learn
about these birds that all of us already know so well?
How wrong I was! And how fortunate we all are to have so
knowledgeable a guide as Sy Montgomery to enrich our lives
once again in making us aware of what unrealized wonder and
beauty surrounds us, all too often under-appreciated.
For those not yet familiar with Montgomery’s background,
I should point out that she and her author-historian husband, Scott Cohen is Here to Help!
Howard Mansfield, live in New Hampshire and for decades
have shared their home’s property from time to time with an Your fellow Boca Pointe Resident is available to
assortment of animals, from their border collie dog, Thurber, help with Property Insurance Claims to ensure
to a pig that they raised from a tiny runt to 500-plus pound your insurance company treats you fairly!
Volkswagen-sized Christopher Hogwood who wandered
the town on his own getting handouts from the butcher, pet Do You Have an INSURANCE CLAIM?
scratches from the kids and became the subject of a bestselling
book by Montgomery. ● Water damage? ● Fire?
But always among her favorites have been the small flock ● Roof leak? ● Mold?
of egg-laying hens that she calls her “little ladies,” who have
their own chicken coop but are allowed free run of the backyard ● Damaged floor tile? ● Storm damage?
under the protection of several of the latest team of roosters. ● Plumbing leak? ● Kitchen/Bathroom damage?
And one could not want a better protector than a rooster, as ● Cabinet damage?
two episodes described by Montgomery make very clear: one Scott Will Get You the Settlement YOU Deserve!
in which a fox that had sneaked onto the property with chicken
dinner in mind got the shock of its life facing an angry, charging Closed, Denied, Underpaid Claim? He can help! Call for a FREE no obligation inspection!
rooster and did a rapid about-face … and another time, when
Sy’s husband, Howard, was lying on the ground repairing a No recovery? No fee!!
lawnmower. As she describes it: Your insurance company has experts on their side – SHOULDN’T YOU?
“Just beyond the narrow space between the grass and the Call Scott directly (954) 937-1224 / scohen@tpc.insure
machine’s metal undercarriage, movement catches your eye.
Scaley reptilian, yellow feet, heavily armed with long, pointed www.tpcpublicadjusters.com
claws – and, just above the toes, curved, knife-sharp spurs – Policyholders who hired public adjusters for non-catastrophe claims received 574% more money than those who did not hire a P.A, Filing a claim can
are purposefully striding toward you at face level. It feels like not legally affect your coverage. This is a solicitation if you have filed a claim and are happy with your settlement please disregard this advertisement.
that scene from Jurassic Park, where the humans are hiding