Always a Way

  When things are not going your way or just seem to be too hard to tackle, look for a different method.  There is always another way of doing things.  Don't make things more difficult than need be!  That old saying "Where there is a will, there is a way!" makes a lot of sense.  Step back. take a deep breath and look for an alternate route.  It is there but sometimes we refuse to see it.

  This morning while on the pier, Moe came to get breakfast.  There is nothing unusual about this as the heron has now grown accustomed to visiting and follows me about the pier as I throw the net.  He and I get along well.  Then another bayou friend came to visit.  A small snowy egret joined us but Moe was being a bit rude.  He did not want to share the minnows even though there were plenty.  I reprimanded Moe and reminded him that the little snowy was my friend, too.  Still, Moe would chase the much smaller bird whenever he tried to eat.  "MOE!!! Quit that!!  You share the minnows!" I told him but, as soon as I turned my back, Moe would be back to his bad behavior.

  After the third time of Moe being ugly, the little snowy decided that things needed to be different.  He flew up on a pier post to ponder how he would get to eat.  He then noticed that one post had a platform on top and that platform was low enough to be easily accessed by me!  The little snowy flew to the platform and softly squawked.  This was my cue that he was ready to eat in peace.  With each throw of the net, I emptied the dozens of menhaden on the pier for Moe but always grabbed a handful for the snowy.  At first, the snowy would fly to the other post until I walked away from the platform but after just a couple of times of me putting the menhaden on the board, he started staying put.  He knew I was not going to hurt him and he knew that Moe would not chase him.  

  It now looks like I may have another bird to feed each day.  This makes me happy since I adore my critter friends.  Hopefully, they will start eating in peace together.  Moe just needs to learn some manners!