“Stalking”, the word is kinda odd when you think about it.
In a recent study done at, “The Ford Homestead, Institute of Wordology”, many things were revealed about the word Stalking.
Before we get too deep into the study, we would like to pose a couple questions.
When is it ok, or even lawful to stalk?
Do the laws against stalking always apply or, are there exceptions.
We will attempt to answer these and other questions in this well written, fact filled and informative commentary.
The study which was completed in recent weeks, involved several professors from other institutes (names of those professors and their institutes will not be listed as full credit for this study will be given to our in house lecturer, me).
As stated in the opening statement; the word stalking is kinda odd when you think about it. If you have a stalk of something, you could have a root, branch, stem or a twig. So, knowing that the word stalk refers to part of a plant, how did the word evolve into watching or following someone?
Now days the word stalking is most often used to explain that someone was observing another, due to some perceived or real infatuation.
Our study identified that there are times when stalking is accomplished and considered as completely legal. One example cited in the published paper, “Stalking, Identified and explained”, would be; a detective private or law enforcement, observes, follows, records and photographs a subject.
The difference between lawful stalking or not, is often the fact that law enforcement detectives or, private detectives, do not want to be known to the stalkee. The illegal stalker most often wants the stalkee to not only know them but also be a part of their life.
Our published paper, “Stalking, Identified and explained”, also notes that the root word of stalk, is talk.
When we take the word talk or talking, then add an “S” to the front, it changes the meaning totally. “The Ford Homestead, Institute of Wordology”, was unable to determine who put the “S” in front of the word talk, but there is a theory. The theory is that a person who was attempting to describe that someone had been following and observing them, to law enforcement, stuttered. While attempting to explain that the person who had been watching them attempted to, “talk”, to the “stalkee”, but when they attempted to say the word, “talk”, it came out as, “stalk”, due to the stutter. Theoretically, that is how the words Stalk and Stalking came into being.
I believe the above may have been the long way of getting to the subject matter of this article. There has been a case of stalking here in the neighborhood and it was not reported to the local authorities. I personally observed the stalking and determined I should not get involved.
Sir Charles was attempting to make friends with a young fox squirrel (red). I watched for about twenty minutes as “The Charles” carefully observed the foxy squirrel all the while attempting to get closer to it. At some point the squirrel, who obviously did not want to be friends with Charlie, climbed the tree.
Charlie not wanting to give up, ascended the tree all the while hoping to get closer to and become friends with the foxy squirrel. The uppity squirrel then jumped from one tree to another and Charlie was heartbroken.
It is almost impossible for the untrained eye to see “Sir Charles”, hiding in the leaves as he 
In the above photo, “Sir Charles” is coming out of concealment, having completed his observations.
In this photo we see, “Sir Charles”, the
These photos were taken with my $5.00 cell phone. If you would like to see better photos you may donate toward the purchase of a new Smart Phone. Donations should be identified as, “for Don’s new Smart phone”.
It should be noted, after the above stalking event, “Crazy Charlie” was at it again. My neighbor and I were enjoying an almost perfect Sunday early evening (7:30 pm) when Charlie was again observed in the stalking mode. He, surreptitiously crept across the front yard at, “The Ford Homestead”, all the while observing a squirrel across the street. Charlie entered the street and he, with reckless abandon, did not look both ways. My neighbor and I were concerned that a vehicle might drive down the Avenue and run over, “The Charlie”.
The squirrel was an unusually dark colored squirrel, not black but not red either. The squirrel seemed to be aware of the approaching stalker but he continued searching the grass for things to eat. At one point the squirrel, being on the ground about ten feet from a tree, went behind the tree out of sight of Sir Charles. At that moment killer Charles made his move sprinting toward the tree. My neighbor and I were cheering “The Charles” on.
Charlie rounded the tree catching the squirrel off guard. The chase was on as the squirrel ran first away from the safety of the tree, then turning attempting to get back to the tree. Charles was close behind the squirrel executing quick turns as he pursued the perceived victim. The squirrel narrowly missed death as he made it to, and ascended the tree. Charlie went up the tree but stopped about 12 feet above the ground.
Sadly, Sorry Charlie returned home and lay in the drive way as he consider what he could have done to have made that chase turn out in his favor. I couldn’t be certain but I thought I saw a small tear in his eyes.
For a complete copy of the paper, “Stalking, Identified and explained”, please send $28.00 plus $7.00 shipping and handling to the Ford Foundation. Allow nine years for delivery.
I hope you enjoy the fine spring weather!
Don Ford
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