Is it a weed or .....

Near the edge of the Bayou there are masses of weeds of all types that keep growing and growing. It is difficult to keep this area clear of these weeds due to the high tides that make the ground a mite soggy for the lawnmower. I have at times gotten that goofy thing so mired in the mud that it takes a heap a lot of tugging to get it out. Now, I am not talking of a riding mower or a tractor but a good ole push mower. I figure that I get more exercise using this thing, plus I have the ability to avoid the golf balls. My neighbor across the Bayou has a great swing, obviously, as he manages to hit these things all the way across to my yard. About those weeds, I have decided that all yards need some areas that are "free space". A place where plants can do their own thing, grow as large as they want and not be limited by my trying to contain them. Some people might point out that it is laziness and not "preserving nature" that led to this decision. I might point out that they, to a certain extent, could be right! But I like the "wild and woolly" look! This free range thing relates to my wildcrafting.. we should leave plants to reproduce..even if they are considered weeds. One of the weeds in question, is actually kind of pretty..maybe if you sort of squint your eyes a bit or if you look at it from a different angle?? Could be?!! We have always called this sedge grass. Looking up sedge led to a whole new bucket of worms..there are fifty bajillion sedges and none looked exactly like mine! Some were close but not exact. Perhaps it is because there are perfect growing conditions here for whatever sedge I have but these are huge in comparison to the data on sedge grass. (Or perhaps I have misidentified.) Still, I think they will be allowed to grow and reseed. The weed is not hurting a thing and when the sun hits it just so...it really is rather pretty!

It is always a good day when your supper is free! Shrimp season is upon us here on the Bay. It is time to grab a net and bucket and head to the pier. As a rule, the shrimp that are caught from the pier are small but tasty. After throwing the net for better than an hour, I had nearly a gallon bucket of the small crustaceans. It is a lot of work for such a small amount of potential food stuff, but the flavor of these shrimp far outweighs that. And..as I said..they are free for the taking! Perhaps that is the whole draw to this idea. I am not dependent on some grocery store with jacked up prices. I am learning to survive without a constant need to "run to the store". These fine specimens were headed, peeled and pan fried to perfection! A few beans, potatoes and squash from the garden and some homemade sourdough biscuits rounded out the meal. Ahh, the goodness of living on the Bayou!