Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker
It seems as each creature on earth either grooms themselves or as they call it, preening. It has been said that the male species is always the prettiest in the animal kingdom and that may be true in the animal species, but not in humans.
We women spend money on making ourselves look attractive by wearing makeup, getting our hair done, buying clothes and lots of shoes. A lady’s bath or shower time is usually longer than a man’s. Let’s face it though, we all want to look good.
There is an old country tune by Kris Kristopherson called, “Lord it’s hard to be humble,” and it goes on to say, “it’s so hard to look in the mirror, I get better looking each day.” Maybe Kristopherson feels that way, but I need all the help I can get.
Have you heard the saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness?” You may think it is a biblical saying, but actually John Wesley said it in one of his sermons. I often wonder how the pioneers stayed clean if they only took a bath once a week or maybe even once a month?
Being clean, taking a bath and brushing our teeth are all a part of all of our preening habits. Most of us are clean and pursue the style of life that helps us look our best. Even the animals. For most animals staying clean is just as important as eating. If birds did not have clean feathers, they could not fly fast enough to catch their dinner or they may wind up being another critter’s dinner.
Oxpeckers and egrets are two types of birds that patrol the backs of large mammals and ostriches. They pick tiny insects and parasites from their host’s fur and feathers. In exchange for the cleaning, the birds get lunch. Some birds use the same technique to remove debris from a hippo’s teeth.
The other day, I saw a bird literally getting down in a mud puddle taking a bath. Then I got to thinking about how each animal in the animal kingdom have their own unique way of grooming themselves.
We have all seen cats grooming themselves and each other. While friendly cats and litter mates often groom each other, felines may also groom their humans by licking their skin or hair. Such behavior is generally a way for cats to show affection. Just as mother cats lick their young, grooming communicates a cat’s fondness for a person, as well as a sense of belonging.
Chimpanzees pick bugs and parasites off themselves and each other. I have seen the chimps and monkeys at zoos doing this, but was told that by doing so, they keep the bugs off themselves which could cause them to be ill.
Lions and tigers lick their fur and I did read that the saliva on their fur helps them cool down in the hot weather. Elephants also preen by using their trunks to spray water on themselves, plus they too, roll in the dust.
I guess I have always “preened ” myself. I must have 25 shades of lipstick, eye shadows, and foundations. I have creams to remove wrinkles, take away bags under my eyes, remove dark spots, remove unwanted hair, and to make my eyelashes grow. I use oils that helps me to relax and makes me smell good. Does it work? Maybe not. but it makes me feel better.
Do you groom and preen? Do you think cleanliness is next to Godliness? Do you think the male species are the best looking? Well, it’s time for me to go do my “preening”for the day. Let me know if and how you groom and get ready for the day and I will give you a Penny for your thoughts.
