Getting down to brass tacks!

Being on the Bayou gives me the opportunity to view a lot of things that city-folk call "Nature". To me..these things (when referring to the fauna of the area) are more like neighbors. The critters here become my friends..we share a special bond of survival. You can learn a lot from animals. I have come to the point where I not only see the creature itself but I watch it..I learn from it. Most of the animals on the Bayou have this survival thing down pat..they know how to find food even during the bleakest of times..they can locate fresh water during the worst droughts and have an uncanny knack when seeking shelter from the elements. On the other hand, I think most humans would not fare so well. Years ago, it was understood that one needed to learn a few basic survival skills. That is a thing of the past now with all of the so-called modern conveniences. If it ever came down to brass tacks..not many would be able to cope.

Today's subject of observation? A young Rail. A young Clapper Rail by the looks of it..I could be mistaken as most of the Rails here look similar when they are so immature. This one was not one bit afraid of me as I sat on the pier just a few feet from where it came out of the marsh. It was well aware of my presence but still hunted for its supper. I thought "Now this will be a tough job for the little bird." But it proved me wrong as it soon had its first course. The young bird had that fishing job under control! It waded into the tidepool and stopped..and stood dead still in about two inches of water. It cocked its head to one side and then made a quick plunge. Its beak was a deadly weapon! The prey was flung far enough onto the mudflat that an easy escape was impossible. Still the bird fished. After flinging several bull minnows onto the mud, it finally caught a baby crab. This, too, was hurled far up onto the mud but the Rail hurried after it. It knew that the crab would make a hasty retreat for the water. With three bull minnows still flopping around on the mud, the young Rail stabbed at the crab again and again. It was so quick that the crab had no time to use its claws nor escape. Soon the bird gobbled it down and eyed the bull minnows. Within a matter of minutes, supper was caught and eaten. The bird had its fill! Now its attention turned to me. It almost seemed to show-off a bit as it flapped its wings, ruffled its feathers and strutted about a bit. I think it was trying to tell me that it could take care of itself.

Now about that phrase.."down to brass tacks". This, like so many phrases, are said on a daily basis by most of us but does anyone know to what it really refers? I ponder these things. After a bit of research, I have come to the conclusion in my mind that it could be one of two things..take your choice. The first being a reference to the actual brass tacks used in the upholstery of a chair. The fine fabrics were, at one time, attached with real brass tacks..not the wimpy, little things used today. These tacks were usually covered from sight with gimp, an ornamental, flat, braided cording. If a person wanted to reupholster a piece of furniture, he had to get down to the brass tacks. The second explanation that I found was that the brass tacks referred again to actual tacks. This time in a shop that sold fabrics and trims. To save time measuring yardage, tacks were nailed into the counter at one foot intervals. The shopowner could then just use these to measure the length of fabric or trim without having to use a measure stick each time. The shopowner could be exact in his measurements by getting the fabric down to the brass tacks. This saying has been around for sometime and I am sure there are many other explanations but these are my two favorites!