The "Disappearing Pier"!

   For about the last 16 hours, the weather has decided to pummel the Bayou with some messy stuff.  So far, our neighbors to the west have caught the brunt of it but as I write this, we are starting to receive their leftovers.  The good folks of Louisiana and Texas just cannot seem to catch a break.  Hopefully, the system will weaken before wreaking much more havoc.  

  I was on the pier early this afternoon during a break in the weather, then again, just before dark.  Our pier is the only one within view that is still "within view".  The others are all underwater.  The tide (pushed by the strong winds since early this morning) is well up in the yards of anyone living on the waterfront.  It always strikes me as a bit disconcerting to see the piers underwater.  The posts lead to nowhere.   Just before nightfall, Son and I had to go salvage our small skiff.  He had gone down earlier to secure it better but the winds and waves proved that the storm was stronger than rope.  The front tie-rope had broken leaving the skiff askew.  It was being battered by the winds and was wedged under the pier.  While he shimmied the boat from under the pier, I was in the front trying to shove it out of the marsh.  I am getting far too old for this!  Once we freed the skiff from its precarious situation, we pulled it far up in the cut to calmer waters.  There it should be able to ride out this squally junk.

  Folks, if you are inclined, the folks in the path of this system could use all the prayers you can muster.  There are going to be some pretty ugly damages come morning light.  Tornadoes are ripping whole towns.  People are going to be hurting and will need our support.  Stay safe.  Be kind.  Lend a helping hand.

Double Trouble?

   Things are a bit up in the air around the Coast.  I am sitting here listening to the drone of the huge engines of our Hurricane Hunters as they are preparing to fly over the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding area.  These folks are true heroes that go above and beyond to keep us safe.  The uncertainty of whether we are to be in the path of the two hurricanes that are threatening back to back visits has folks not knowing just how to prepare.  Do we stockpile enough supplies to carry us through two storms or do we wait and hope the storms change their directions.  Those a bit inland can get by with minimal effort and laugh at our quandary but those living near the water have a different set of rules about facing hurricanes.  We do not have the buffer zone that others have.  If a hurricane takes aim at us, we catch the brunt of it.  The winds die quickly once the eye comes ashore.  Of course, those inland do not have to be concerned about the tidal surge either.  With back to back storms, the effects are of course doubled as is the time span of the overall battering.  Even back to back tropical storms can do major damage to those of us with waterfront homes.  So, we prepare as only we know how to do!  We have learned from experience what works and what does not.  "Prepare for the worst and pray for the best" is always a good mantra.  In other words, take the ultimate of precautions then leave the rest to the Good Lord.

  Today, as I was heading to the pier, a thought struck me.  Son just this past week finished the repairs on the pier.  The damage from Tropical Storm Cristobal was extensive.  The entire structure of the pier was in shambles.  Now, we face the possibility of more damage.  When I questioned him on his thoughts, his statement was "Hurricanes are not something we can control.  Pier repairs are."  That made a lot of sense.  We won't worry about what "might" happen but will focus on the job at hand..whatever that may be.  If any readers are in the path of either storm or both storms, as the case may be, be careful.  Prepare for what may come and think safety first. 

Hold it!

  After a day of drizzling, our weather took a turn for the worse and the tornado sirens, once again, sounded on all sides of us.  At 4pm, the sky was pitch black, winds whipped the treetops and thunder rolled.  Then...the rains started.  At first, there was a nice shower but then, as Pop would have said, "The bottom fell out!"  Raindrops pelted the rooftop with such vengeance that it was difficult to hear conversation with the person next to you.  It was perfect!

  The only thing I can see bad about a nice stormy day is that the old dog, Mr. PJ, refuses to go outside.  If forced, he immediately turns and tries to bolt back in the door.  While I do not mind him being on his comfy bed, I am sure bodily functions should be attended.  Nope.  It is not happening.  Three times, I tried to get him out and down the hill.  Three times, he stalled at the door, reluctantly took a few steps out and then tried to return.  Twice, I managed to coerce him halfway down the hillside by going with him.  This worked somewhat but still no deed was done.  I found the dog sneaking back up the hill.  He was sitting at the door by the time I came through the gate.   Later in the afternoon, Son attempted to get the dog out.  He was smart and brought the leash.  Yep, Mr. PJ dutifully followed but did not "doo-tifully" do anything.  So, it is now dark, pouring rain and he is curled up on his bed as if he does not have a care in the world.  Hope he can hold it!

  As I said, hard rains are pelting the rooftop and thunder sounds in the distance.  It looks as if we are in this for the long haul and the weather forecast calls for much the same tomorrow.  This, my friends, is the start of "Winter in the Deep South".  The weather pattern will be much the same...warm, fog, rain, cold (well, our version of cold..."cool" to my northern friends).  Then the cycle starts over again.  I sure hope Mr. PJ gets over this determination to stay dry or else he will be doing a lot of "holding it".

Its Best To Be Alert!

  One sure thing about living on a bayou, you can depend on the weather changing at the drop of a hat.  Without notice, things can go from sunshiny to dreary, from slick calm to raging winds, from peaceful to threatening.  Just this afternoon, the weather did a flip-flop.  Early in the day, the sun was shining and a cool breeze wafted across the water.  Things were most perfect.  It seemed to be an ideal day to sit on the pier with fishing pole in hand so that is just what I did.  All was well with the world or, at least, with my little world.  Then things changed.  Within a matter of minutes, the weather went downhill  to the point that I thought it might be in my best interest to get up to the Little Bayou House!

  Before I could reel in the lines and "clean up" the pier a bit, an ominous black cloud made up across the Bay.  As I hurried to gather up my belongings, I kept a weather eye on that horizon.  Things looked a bit too threatening.  I just "felt" that a waterspout would be in the making.  Sure enough, as that black cloud moved eastward, a spout did form right in the middle.  No sirens, no alarms...just rough weather.  

  After I eased my way back up the pier, I could hear thunder in the distance and feel the cool air that the rain would bring but...it never came.  The whole system moved to the east and left the area before more than a sprinkle could find its way to the garden.  A few moments later, and the sunbeams poked through the clouds and I headed fishing once again.  For twenty minutes, it looked as if a storm would pound us, then it was gone leaving nary a trace.  Crazy!

Little Helpers

  With our lack of winter, the critters are already out and about.  Critters of the insect type have decided that it is time to wreak havoc on the gardens and on us.  Those dratted mosquitoes and gnats are out in droves and they have no qualms about eating a person alive. Battling these critters is a long term endeavor and not something that can be done with a simple shot of spray and since I abhor sprays, for the most part, I am searching for more natural ways of ridding the place of them. This means emptying things like the birdbath on a daily basis and planting "smelly" plants (as Son calls them) near the house.  Plants such as marigolds, lemongrass, lemon balm, rosemary and even basil help to keep mosquitoes at bay.  Since the Frog Pond seems to be a likely spot for the mosquitoes to lay eggs, I encourage dragonflies to also use the pond as their nursery.  Dragonfly nymphs love to much on mosquito nymphs!  These thing all help but, hey, I live on a bayou and near a creek.  What about those likely breeding spots?

  With the warm weather, the mosquitoes have been busy but Mother Nature has, too.  I noticed thousands of "mosquito fish" (or pot-belly minnows) swirling about the shallows in the marsh.  It seems that the overload of mosquito nymphs is a boon to these little fishies! They are happy campers at the moment.  Their bright blue scales can be seen flashing in the sunlight as they happily chase the nymphs about the brackish water.  While watching them, I had the notion to catch a few to see if I can acclimate them to the fresh water of the Frog Pond.  It would be nice to have a family or two of the mosquito fish living there to help the dragonflies.  Ponder, ponder.

  As an added note, all is well here on the Bayou for any who are interested.  After another round of severe storms thrashed about the place, things have settle down for the night.  There were sightings of at least six tornadoes in the close proximity of the Little Bayou House and at least two known waterspouts in the Bay near the pier.  The sirens sounded for a good hour but we were blessed with no damage.  The Little Bayou House held strong once again.

Storming on the Bayou

  Things look a tad bleak on the Bayou.  Today, like yesterday and the day before, severe storms dominated.  Thunder, lightning, torrential rains and high winds (at times, tropical storm strength) pounded the Little Bayou House and, for that matter, the whole South.  We have been under the gun for days now and all of this has kept me housebound.  Son and I have been running from one spot to the other battling leaks. The wind pushed rain down the chimney and under windows and doors.  One tiny leak in the roof made itself known by the tap, tap, tapping as the water hit the floor.  A pan under it will suffice until the weather permits a climb to the rooftop.  While I am not exactly happy with that, we are blessed. Others in the area had far worse troubles.  Flooding is the word of the day here and the threat of tornadoes kept us all alert and on our toes. Hopefully, tomorrow will see the system move on its merry way and we can have a bit of much needed sunshine.  

  Mark and I did make a quick run to the pier early this morning to check the little skiff.  Heavy clouds shrouded the horizon and gave us the gut feeling that we would not make it back to the house before being soaked. We did manage to sneak to the back to pick some of the navel oranges so I could fill my day making marmalade.  No sooner had we filled our bucket than the rains started once again.  A mad dash to the house led us to discover our mistake!  Instead of going out the backdoor nearest the citrus grove, we had used the front door heading to the pier.  Oops!  Around the house, I dashed.  I darted through the house to unlock the door for Mark who was carrying the heavy bucket of oranges.  Poor guy!  He was patiently waiting at the backdoor while getting soaked!  

  I am ready for this rain to move out of the area and a bit of cooler weather to settle in for a while. I have plenty of citrus fruits occupy my time.  Oranges, satsumas, grapefruit and kumquats all need to be canned, made into marmalade and butters and the peels dehydrated. The Little Bayou House will smell wonderful and the pantry shelves will be stockpiled once again.  With the marmalade made today, biscuits may just have to be on the menu for breakfast in the morning!

 

Raging Storms, Backwards Steps and GOURDS!

  For some time now, it seems as if I move backward a lot more than I do forward.  At night before I sleep, I ponder all sorts of things that I need to do come the following morning.  I have good intentions but, for some odd reason or another, I never seem to even start.  One day, the washing machine refused to spin so I worked on it a bit until my finger became smashed beyond any use, so I went fishing.  Another day, the old Bayou Queen, Ms. Put, (the old cat) fell ill and needed attention.  You can probably imagine what the day entailed with that so there is no need in elaborating.  After cleaning up behind her for most of the day, I went fishing.  Then last night we had storms.  Torrential rains, fierce winds and....a leaky roof.  Well, there went the plans for decorating the Christmas Tree.  I did not go fishing, though, as the weather was still misbehaving a tad.  The roof was tended and hopefully drip, drip, drip will not be heard tonight as we, once again, are going to be under the gun weatherwise.  The old Bayou will be a wild place again tonight. Thunderstorms will roll through right about high tide.  The south wind will push the tide even higher so things on the pier had to be secured. The possibility of even more severe weather than last night could be interesting.  No drips, please!

  All of these distractions have kept me busy to the point that nothing...nada...zilch has been done on my mental list and surely, creativity has gone the wayside.  Today, however, I had inspiration!  A very nice lady inquired about some of my painted gourds.  I was bound and determined that I should start painting once again.  Other things can wait!   The gourds were all scrubbed clean and paints, brushes and gourds assembled.  It felt good to be back again.  My artistic side was in a giant slump until this.  

  Thank you, Ms. Marilyn, your kind words have inspired me to create! Perhaps now those backward steps won't seem so heavy and I can bounce forward with eagerness each morning!  Let the storms rage....I have a project!

Stocking up of Foul Weather

  With the threat of bad weather on our horizon, things have been a bit busy here on the Bayou.  Making sure the little skiff is secure, gathering in all of the fishing gear that normally stays on the pier and taking care of critters all needed tending.  Now we just sit back and wait.  That is harder than doing the chores.  I am not one that likes waiting...for anything.  Waiting on weather to do its thing is sort of like watching paint dry.  It is pointless.

  While Son worked on the boat, I had the opportunity to do a bit of visiting with my friend the Green Heron.  The little bird seems to have taken a liking to me...or at least to my handouts of food.  The bird munched heartily on a few little mullet that I was able to catch for it.  Perhaps the bird knows that foul weather will soon be pounding the Bayou and was stocking up on provisions by eating extra heavy.

  I am sure that most of the birds can still find enough food to survive during bad weather but I figured if I can give a helping hand, I might as well.  The bird seemed to appreciate it and even followed me most of the way back up the pier.  

  I hope you fare well during this storm, Little Greenie.  Take cover like the rest of us.  Good luck!