Tranquility Among The Flowers

   There is one spot in the Small Gardens that makes me smile with every passing.  While it is pretty with the zinnias, day lilies, ruby lilies and other flowers, my joy comes simply by something else that lurks under the blooms.  The old raccoon that comes to visit each afternoon, takes naps under the zinnias, at times.  She is old, tired and obviously has problems seeing.  Her visits are daily as she comes to eat the spilled birdseed.  Thinking perhaps that is all the sweet thing has to eat, I have taken to bringing her "treats" when I see her.  Cereal is her favorite but fruit runs a second best.  The sweet little thing has been attacked by the younger, more robust coons so now I sit with her until she gets her belly full.  Once she ambles back to the zinnia bed, I feel she is at least somewhat safe.

  My encounters with the old coon have become a highlight of each day.  She comes, we "visit" and then she goes on her merry way.  I refuse to make a pet out of her simply because it is important for her to stay wild and free.  My help comes only through the feeding but, if she wants to hide in the flower gardens, I am surely not going to refuse her the luxury.  Maybe she is just too tired to go back to the marshes or woods.  Maybe she is one that was pushed from her home just west of us where the tractors clear cut almost every tree.   Maybe she just finds tranquility here like I do.

  Sometimes, it is not the appearance of things that makes them beautiful.  Sometimes, it is the help rendered.  The Small Gardens are lovely simply because they have become a haven of sorts.  Be kind to the critters.  Every once in a while, they need a helping hand.