4am Is Calling!

   Folks are constantly questioning why I rise so early in the morning.  My answer is always "I feel better."  That is the honest truth.  My day starts at 4am and, if I linger any longer, my body starts wondering what happened.  "Hey, Woman...why are you not up yet?  Lazybones!"  Then, I guess in an effort to make me rise, aches and pains start setting in and then the brain starts shifting gears from "Let's get it done!" to "I don't wanna."  So, to avoid all of that, I rise early.  This must be a throwback to my childhood on the farm because Pop would rise at 4am and make sure that all the kids were up early to do their chores.  Mom would sleep in a bit while he "handled" things.  Once we heard that old hand-cranked coffee grinder going, we knew it was time to roll out of bed.  I smile every time I see that thing hanging on my wall!  Time to rise and shine!

  Another reason for my early rising is that I can get the indoor chores done before sunrise.  Once that time nears, I head to the pier for some peaceful "me time".  Some of my best thinking is done while watching that giant ball of fire rise up over the pines on the far side of the Bayou.  I get ideas for art/craft projects, figure out how to better the garden spots and ponder on the use of herbal concoctions.  This is the me-time that allows me to start my day in a halfway jovial manner instead of letting the worries of the world pile upon me.  Pop always told me that fretting doesn't do one bit of good so I should let go of it and just go about finding a solution to any problem.  Make sense and those early mornings give me time to hunt solutions.  Not to mention, there are some mighty pretty sights out there on the water when that sun makes its entrance.

Seeking Serenity

   Sometimes, you just have to slow down and take things as they come.  You can literally work yourself into a frenzy attempting to accomplish all that the brain tells you to do.  When that happens, it is time to step back, think if all of the hustle and bustle is worth the end result and then make a decision that deems itself worthy.  Mine, today, was to sit back and enjoy the jasmine and roses which are in full bloom just outside the front door.  I dragged the wicker chair from another part of the yard, poured myself a second mug of coffee and breathed deeply.  The coolness of the morning, the scent of jasmine and roses and total relaxation was good for the soul...not to mention the mind.

  Lately, I have been feeling that I have been slacking.  It seems that I am far behind where I should be by this season.  Perhaps that comes with not seeing a garden flourishing but it was my decision to not overplant the spot.  Five tomato plants and five pepper plants are all that were planted this season other than herbs.  It was my plan to dote on those herbs and replenish my waning stockpile.  Sure, I could just head to the store and buy the outrageously expensive stuff but, with all the recalls, as of late, I am hesitant to do that.  So, herbs it is!  Those shall be dried and stored for future use.  

  In the meantime, however, I shall continue to putter around in the garden spots if for no other reason than to enjoy the blooms and glorious aromas.  Gardens...they are good for you...sometimes simply by being. Bask in the serenity that only nature can bring.

Bayou Tranquility

   Sometimes when I view the photographs of the day's happenings, they bring back vivid memories of other times.  This morning, the rising sun streamed through the pines on the opposite shore casting shadows on the water.  Several years ago, I took almost the same photograph...then, last year, the image was nigh on identical.  The only difference is the grove of trees is getting vastly thinner with all the "progress" on new houses.  No one seems to understand that we actually NEED trees but, what they do across the way is none of my business, I suppose.  So, I turn a blind eye to the ruination of the woods and try to find a positive side of it.  This is a fault of mine.  Let others fret over what is being done since I am old and possibly won't have to deal with the outcome.  They can deal with their own mess. 

  I do not turn a blind eye to everything, however.  I am one of those weird people that just looks at things a bit differently.  I figure there is beauty in all things if we only search for it...hence, the photograph of shadows on the water.  Life is too short to go around viewing ugliness.  That brings forth only despair.  It is far better to seek out beauty and fill the spirit with tranquility.  In this old, angry world, look for serenity and happiness.  Find your peace wherever you can.  The Bayou is where I find mine.

Losing the Garden Path but Finding Paradise

   Lately, with the yard cleanup taking place mainly in the back part of the property, the Small Gardens have run amok with new growth.  I have had neither the time nor the energy to do even minor maintenance there. The Small Gardens now greatly resemble some wild and woolly rainforest!  Not that I mind as the prior work put into this area has proven to be worth the effort.  It gives a sense of serenity to wander through the overgrown tropical plants even in their unkempt state.

  

This morning, I took the time to transplant twenty hibiscus shrubs from their tiny six-inch seed pots into the border gardens before heading to the back cleanup.  As I was digging holes for the seedlings, the sun was just peeping over the pines on the opposite side of the Bayou.  As the rays started shooting down one of the garden paths, I was fully in awe of how secluded the area seemed.  The lush, healthy overgrowth nearly made the path unpassable.  Each nook and cranny held a different bloom or fruit.  Taking a few minutes from the task at hand, I breathed the sweet aromas of flowers and early morning freshness.  I listened as the birds chirped happily as they feasted upon the remnant blueberries and a few remaining figs.  I felt the morning dew and the cool breeze coming from the Bay.  I thought (and relished the thought) of how this was paradise.  This was how life should be.  This is what takes me from the stress of dealing with people's greed and drama to being perfectly blissful.  This is the magic of the Small Gardens.  This is where I belong...where I find tranquility.

The Tranquility Door

   On a whim, I bought some simple, colored cellophane and "stained" the window panes in the front doors.  The large, old french doors each have 15 panes of glass and each of those is slightly different size.  (This is often the case with antique doors as they were usually handmade.)  The "staining" first came into play with one of the Clue Hunts on the Bayou.  The french doors and similar greenhouse doors all received a pattern of colors.  Well, I liked the look so much that I kept it and as the cellophane faded with the sunlight, I simply added more colors until Darling Daughter bought me some actual glass clings. What a difference!  

  Well, the other day, someone mentioned that I should take the stuff down.  "It takes away the view."  No, the view is still there, I just added a bit more interest to the room.  If you wish to see the pier, go outside.  I live here, my fake, stained glass windows make me happy so they stay.  It is simple as that.

  I mentioned this encounter on social media and immediately got responses that echoed my feelings.  It was the consensus that stained glass windows bring calm and tranquility.  To be honest, I did a bit of research and it seems that we are not alone in this feeling.  Several noted resources state that this is one of the reasons that the windows were so popular in ancient churches.  The windows illuminated the inside of the building with ever changing patterns of  color.  The eyes could wander with the colors and patterns and become relaxed so that spirituality was profound.  A feeling of serenity enveloped those who entered.  They immediately "felt" peace which must have meant that God was within the building. 

  I have often thought that I should probably remove the colored cellophane and window clings simply to move on to something else.  Now, I am not so sure.  Perhaps more folks need to be doing this to their homes and businesses.  The world could sure use some tranquility about now.  Peace could go a long ways with our worried minds.  

Serenity at its best

   My favorite time on the pier is just before daybreak.  Then, the air is still cool and crisp.  The night sounds are settling and the day is bursting forth with new music.   This is my time, my space and my peace.  The morning starts with a hot mug of black coffee, a regimen of stretching exercises and a bit of meditation.  After that, I am rearing to go meet the day.

  This morning, I was a bit surprised to see several large flocks of cormorants coming in to the Bay.  The birds are early this year as normally, they come in October or even November.  Perhaps this is the sign of an early fall and winter for us.  That sure would be nice!  Very few of the cormorants stopped near the pier.  Most hesitated in flight but then went further west.  Most flocks had nigh on fifty birds which is not nearly what will be here by late November.

  With one straggling group of only about ten birds, I was confused to see a single bird drop from the group and alight in the water near the Bayou.  As soon as it changed course, I realized that this was no cormorant causing even more confusion.  Why was a duck traveling with the migrating cormorants?  The little duck has been around the pier for most of the day now and seems to be in no hurry to rejoin its odd flock.  As I was watching the lone duck, a golden glow from the sunrise softly settled about the creature.  I wonder if it was how the Bayou was welcoming its new friend.  The whole scene made me feel a bit warm and fuzzy!

Good For the Body, Mind and Spirit

  In the late afternoon, the sun throws some pretty interesting shadows about the hillside overlooking the Bayou.  While the marsh and waters usually stay pretty bright, the heavy oak trees and tall pines start casting shadows as early as mid afternoon.  By the time the sun starts to set in the west, the woods on that side of our place pretty much blocks any light.  I am happy with it actually.  Otherwise, I would continue the chores until much later and, as an old lady, I do not need to be pushing it that much. So, the work that starts before 7 am, usually ends by 3 pm.  That is enough for me.  The yard work, gardening and shed cleaning is taking a toll on this old body.

  This afternoon after quitting for the day, I noticed the shadows on the yard.  Even though I was exhausted, I had to take a peek.  Well, this time the peek was merely through the window on the east side of the house.  It only took that one peek to make me fully appreciate where I live.  It is a good feeling to look out over the water whenever the whim strikes me.

  It is not just me that feels the power of the water.  Scientists have proven that those who can hear or view water on a daily basis are more relaxed and more creative.  It seems that watching and hearing waves puts our brains in almost a hypnotic state.  Being near water of any kind can lower stress levels and help with our mental well being.  Well, I could have told them that!  This effect is what I have long called "Bayou Therapy" and it has powerful soothing properties to all who come to seek it.  Trouble minds can be settled merely by sitting and staring out over the Bayou.  Take a hike near the marsh edge and down to where the creek empties into the Bayou and all sorts of magic can happen.  My long-held beliefs are now scientifically proven.  Bayou Magic!  Bayou Therapy...it is good for the troubled spirit.

Purple Mornings

  Often, I speak of the Magic of the Bayou.  To me, it is a very magical place.  There is an inexplicable serenity that engulfs you as soon as you step foot in certain spots.  This is most evident at dawn and just before nightfall.  It is as if the very essence of the place enters the soul and proclaims that strife should be lifted.  The mind becomes calm, the body relaxed and all seems right with the world.  

  Due to things beyond my control, the night had been sleepless other than short "cat-naps" caught in between a billion thoughts.  The mind felt cluttered even though I had a "conference" with the Black Racer yesterday.  I have found that many times pouring your troubles out to some critter really helps. The conversation with the snake did momentarily but, then, nightfall with hours to think and fret.  Come daybreak, an odd purple color tinted the window curtains on the east side of the living room.  This was not like other sunrises that beamed dark red.  Something was different and that difference called to me.  As soon as I stepped out the door, I was slammed by the beauty wisping about the hillside.  A light fog had laid in across the marsh overnight and the sun coming up over the pines tinted most of the yard purple!  Ok, so this was unusual but REALLY magical!  The Magic of the Bayou was in full force this morning!  Who would imagine a PURPLE yard??  

  Wandering about the hillside made me completely forget the unrest of the night.  My peace had returned!  All was good.  The Bayou and its mystical, magical ways calmed the anxiety and steadied the nerves. With that, I headed back to the meeting place of the Black Racer.  I wanted to thank the snake for being such a good friend.  Ahh, yes...bayou therapy is a grand thing.

Good for the soul...

  I was up all last night but not because I wanted to be.  Circumstances demanded that sleep was not to be had so it only seemed natural to wander to the pier early in the morn.  That is where I find solace in things out of my control.  That is where I find the peace that settles deep within the soul.  That is where my cares leave with the darkness as the sun brightens the eastern sky.  That is my little piece of paradise. This morning, all of that inner peace was needing replenishing and the Bayou did not fail me.  The bit of sunrise therapy worked wonders on the emotions and allowed me to face the day undaunted.  

  It has often been said that there is one place and one time that belongs to each person.  Obviously, I am a very old soul that roams the inner parts of the Bayou.  It draws me as does any other swamp.  I belong there.  The mystical, magical air of the Bayou is all it takes.  Tonight, I shall rest easy knowing all is well and I have done my best.  

I can handle the day...

  Yesterday morning, Mark and I traipsed to the pier in hopes of finding a few minnows to use as bait.  He has been catching a lot of mullet lately but I was in hopes of a redfish or large trout.  I do not mind eating mullet but grow tired of the "muddy" taste.  To my way of thinking, mullet are best eaten fresh.  As soon as they are caught..clean, fry and eat.  A distinct flavor of bayou mud permeates the fish after it sits for a few hours in the refrigerator and especially after the fish are frozen.  I am not a fan.  Yesterday morning, however, the fishing did not happen so they were not on the menu for our meal.

  I was duly impressed by the scenery from the pier.  A heavy cloud cover made the sunrise invisible but, along about 8am, the sun tried to poke its face through the overcast skies.  It tried but could not quite burst through to brighten the day.  The effort made for an amazing view, though, and the still waters were reflecting just enough light to make it interesting.  

  There has to be something said about how still waters can bring forth beauty.  Leading a calm, peaceful life reflects upon all nearby.  I am seeing that more clearly, as I age.  Things are just not worth the turmoil.  It is best to live in peace with the world and let beauty be a reflection of all that is good.  It has to start somewhere.  I may as well be with me.  I CAN handle this day and find the beauty therein.

A Good Sunrise Can Mend A Lot Of Things

  When the brain hurts from too much stress, it is my nature to cut myself off from the world for a bit.  I head to the pier before sunrise to contemplate what can be done to remedy the situation at hand.  More oft than not, just a bit of time in solitude pondering the sights around me is enough to mend my frazzled state.  I figure that some things just cannot be changed no matter how hard I try so accepting them is the next best thing.  Perhaps not accepting the worrisome part but accepting the fact that it does no good to fret over the inevitable.  We all have times that are not to our liking but, hey, life is not easy.  It is not supposed to be easy.  If it was, we would all sit back on our haunches and become nothing more than a bump on a log.  It is necessary to have things that kick our butts now and again purely to keep us on our toes and striving forward. 

  This morning, the sunrise did its job in rectifying a few of the hiccups that got in the way yesterday.  Listening to the birds awakening in the back woods, watching a redfish as it played the mullet along the shoreline and seeing the sun slip up over the pines on the opposite side of the Bayou was all the medicine I needed to face the day with renewed energy. After about twenty minutes of Bayou Magic, I headed back up the hillside.  There was work to be done and I had no time to be muddling around in despair.  Life is good.

Musings at Sunrise

  It is my nature to rise with the sun each day.  This is a throwback from growing up on the farm.  The day's chores would start early so as to beat the heat.  Pop would usher us out to the fields to hoe the long rows just after breakfast.  Usually, the sun was just peeking over the horizon as we started our work.  Today, is no different.  My outside chores are usually done early so I can relax during the heat of the day.  It is those early moments before the chores begin, that are my favorite of the day.

  This morning as I walked with the old dog, the sun was rising over the pines and sending happy beams across the yard.  The contrast between the sun-dappled areas and the deep shadows was striking and sent me into complete serenity.   This must be why folks have always claimed that there is something magical about bayous.  The peace and quiet seeps into your soul and gives strength.  Hopefully, I will never grow too old to hike the hillside as I would truly miss sights like this.  I am sure glad Pop instilled it in me that it is good to rise with the sun!

A Love That Lasts Through The Ages....

  Just before dawn, I awoke and could not return to sleep.  So, there was nothing else to do except hop out of bed and make coffee!  There is nothing like a good cup of coffee at the break of day when no one else is awake.  It was just me and the world sitting on the back step.  Not a bad way to start the day.  From there, I headed to the garden to plant two more rows of green beans.  Hopefully, the squirrel will refrain from dining upon the seeds this time. 

  While there, I had a perfect view of the east arbor of the rose garden.  Just a few weeks back, this arbor was snow white with the blooms of the Cherokee rose.  This week, the first blooms of "Grandmother's rose" are starting to open.  Grandmother's rose is what I grew up calling this particular rose.  In reality, it is named "New Dawn".  The blooms are the palest pink and are a good five to six inches in diameter when fully opened.  This is one of the old type garden roses that were found in just about every cottage garden of our grandparent's and great-grandparent's homes.  The rose rambles about arbors and fence lines and is usually covered with hundreds of blooms.

  The name "Grandmother's rose" has nothing to do with when the rose was prominent but everything to do with Grandmother.  My grandfather had the perfect yard.  Nary a weed could be found in his gardens and, at any given time, blooms of some sort could be found.  He worked tirelessly to keep his place pristine.  It was a sight to behold but he did not take credit for the beauty.  "These are Grandmother's gardens!" he would proudly proclaim.  Now let me tell you a little secret here.  Grandmother never planted a single seed in that garden!  Nor did she weed, trim, fertilize or water.  Her "yardwork" consisted of putting on her pretty gloves, toting her large flat basket and picking a few blooms for a vase that always stayed on the dining room table.  That was it.  The fact was that theirs was a true love and Granddaddy did little things to show his love for Grandmother.  He would bring her a single daisy from the lane or maybe a pretty pebble he found in the creek.  She cherished each and made him feel so appreciated for each tiny act.  The rose was one of the many little ways that he showed his love.  He worked hard to help that rose bush bloom to its fullest and when the very first bud opened, he would take Grandmother by the hand and lead her out to the garden.  There, he would tell her to close her eyes and he would take her to the large trellis where the rose grew.  Then, he proudly would ask her to open her eyes!  She would always squeal with delight and tell him that it was the prettiest that the rose has ever been. Hence, this is Grandmother's rose...always was...always will be as long as it is in my garden.  It is a tribute to their love.

  It is things like this that can make the day perfect.  After working in the garden and then finding Grandmother's rose, I knew the rest of the day would be grand.  My grandparents played a huge part in my early years and even the tiniest memory brings a smile.  Grandmother's rose!
 
 

By The End Of The Day

  My day begins before the sun rises in the east and ends long after it slides behind the pines in the west.  For my way of thinking, there are just not enough hours in the day to do all of the things that need doing.  I have no complaints about this other than it would be nice just one day to think that I accomplished all I set out to do that day.   Nope, it will never happen.  In a way, it is for the best.  Folks who loll about all day seem to have far too much time on their hands and that old saying "Idle minds are the Devil's workshop" may just come into play.  Nah, not always.  My busyness comes from having a work ethic pounded in the brain at a young age but a good hike to refresh the body and soul is always welcome.  On the farm, there was little time to sit idle even for toddlers.  As soon as we were able to be up and about, there was a number of chores assigned to us.  Shelling peas, snapping green beans, feeding the hundreds of chickens and picking the eggs, bundling turnip greens for the market, weeding the rows of vegetables, gathering firewood or what have you, kept us quite on our toes.  What little time we did have for play was spent running around the yard, woods or fields.  There was no sitting inside "twiddling our thumbs" as Pop used to say.  

  Lately, I find refreshment of the mind while on the slow hikes with the old dog.  His legs do not carry him like they once did so we, more or less, meander the hillside with him stopping to rest often.  It is then that I am able to do a bit of photography without the worry of the dog wandering off on some daring escapade.  This is my relaxation time.  The time at sunrise and then again at sunset.  The leisurely stroll is good for the both of us and, by the end of the day, I am ready to wind down and settle in for the night.  

 

A Little "Bayou Peace"

  Recently, a friend came to the Bayou wanting a bit of "peace".  She proclaimed that the Little Bayou House is her "happy place"...a place where life can be lived without stress.  While a few find the place not to their liking, most find it as a refuge.  To my way of thinking, if you cannot find serenity here, then the problem lies within you not with your surroundings.  

  Of course, after being here for a few hours, we wound up on the pier.  Fishing is always a good stress reliever!   Even though the weather was trying its best to throw a kink in our plans with high winds, we managed to get bait and even catch a few fish. Just as we were about to call it a day, she hooked into a regular "fighting fish".  This delighted her to no end.  The fish pulled on that drag and darted this way and that.  It hit the water's surface then dove down deep.  First, a major rush out to deeper water then a sharp turn to shore.  As a last resort, the fish headed under the pier.  Knowing that the line would most likely be cut on the barnacles that coat the pier posts, I told her to steer it out again.  She did and after a good fight, Darlene pulled the tired fish to the surface.  A loud "Whoop!  Look what I caught!!" burst forth.  Yep, she had a doozy!  The fighter turned out to be a small gar.  I grabbed the line and flipped the fish onto the pier.  

  After a few photographs documenting her catch, I set the camera down, grabbed the knife and turned to cut the line.  At that moment, the gar gave one last thrash and did its own cutting.  It laid loose on the pier.  Well, that made it easier!  I picked up the gar and tossed him back into the water.  Like a torpedo, the gar shot southward to deeper water.  I guess he was glad to be away from these two crazy ladies!

  With the fishing trip successful, my friend and I headed back to the Little Bayou House.  "I like it here.  It is so calming.  When I am here, my troubles all disappear." she murmured as she wandered from room to room.  Yep...my thoughts exactly.  If you cannot find peace and happiness at the Little Bayou House, then you do indeed have deep-seated problems.  

A Little "Bayou Therapy"

  A good friend of mine has had a tough ride these past few months.  I hated it for her but had no idea of how to help.  Words never seemed to be the right ones and never enough.  All I could do was offer my time to listen and to care.  We all need someone just to be there whether a single word is said or not.  

  Early this morning as I was out watering the garden, I heard a familiar voice.  My friend wandered around to the back of the house.  She knows me well enough to come hunting for me if I do not answer the door.  When she saw me, she said "I need a little "Bayou Therapy". Enough said.  I knew exactly what she meant.  She needed a bit of the serenity that can always be found here.  I turned off the water faucet and we headed to the pier.  It is easy to find placidity when on the water.  It sounds strange to say but sometimes being on the water can be the perfect shelter from an inner storm.  I knew it...she knew it.  

  At first, we just sat.  Nothing needed to be said.  Then after a bit, we talked.  Then, we fished.  As soon as the first trout was landed, her spirits lifted and she began to enjoy herself.  The Bayou was working its magic.  Peace was returning, troubles disappearing.  By the end of her visit, she went home in much better spirits, I had enjoyed my morning and she toted home a lovely bag of cleaned fish.  All in all, I would say that the Bayou Therapy worked once again.  

Magical, Mystical Glade

  Way down behind the canebrake where the hillside slopes down to the back of the Bayou, there is a spot that never seems to fail in enchanting me.  Whether it be during the dim hours at dawn or the sun dappled time just before dusk, there is something almost magical about the spot.  Or, maybe it is just my imagination.  Could be but I still find the place fascinating.  It is here that you can hear the towhees rustling in the palmettos and the squirrels scolding you from the tall oaks.  From the midst of the canebrake, a rain crow (or yellow billed cuckoo) coos softly and the scritch, scritch, scritch of a pine warbler's sharp toes can be heard as the bird searches the pine bark for bugs.  There is a soft breeze blowing from the north and with it a scent of sweetspire wafts through the air.  The place is perfection making it easy to become lost in the wonderment.

  Son and I pushed our lawnmowers for nigh on four hours today as we trimmed up the place a bit.  Tomorrow will be much the same.  Four more hours and the mowing should be complete.  After cutting, I eased my way back down to the "secret" spot and sat on an old log enjoying the solitude. Sometimes, refreshment can come from no more than just listening, smelling and watching what is around you.  After a good day's work, it is satisfying to be able to communicate with Mother Nature.  I so appreciate the beauty around me. This magical, mystical glade is one of the spots where I can find serenity from the hubbub of the world.

Lost in a Surreal World

  This morning's sun was completely blocked by a thick blanket of fog.  A total whiteout of calm had taken over the Bayou after the severe weather that had ravaged the area last night. Once again, high winds, hail and torrential rains pelted the Little Bayou House but, once again, it held strong and kept us safe.  The fog brought with it peace.

  The morning hike served as a good time to reflect on things as nothing could be seen further than about twenty feet ahead.  The footsteps were soft on the wet leaves and drips could be heard echoing through the woods.  Once on the pier, things felt strange.  Calls from mergansers and geese were the only things that broke the stillness.  The damp air over the Bay proved to be too much for my light jacket so I headed back to the woods.  There, the overhanging branches provided at least some shelter.

  It was here that I found spiderwebs suspended between the branches of many of the low lying branches. As usual, the simplest things enthrall me.  Each web was strung with droplets of water that had accumulated overnight.  These droplets sparkled like jewels even in the low light beneath the canopy of tree limbs.  The strength of the thin webs was remarkable.  Even with dozens and dozens of droplets on a strand, the web held.  Yet, with the whisper of a breeze or the gentlest of touch, the droplets would shower down to the ground like pearls from a broken necklace.  The web held yet the jewels fell and were broken into a thousand pieces. I was in deep thought about the spiderwebs when the sudden bark of a coyote sent my thoughts whirling back into reality.  Time to head back closer to the house.

 

 

Just What I Needed

 The past several days have been spent at my daughter's house.  We had plans to visit the bog again but the weather did not participate well so, instead, the days were spent inside.  As usual, we discussed just about everything under the sun "and put it back to suit ourselves" (to quote my late Uncle Alfred!)  We talked of the world's problems, pondered paint colors for her living room walls, bantered over our ideas on clothing and our preference over the color black, delved into the next Clue Hunt on the Bayou and discussed in depth the idea of opening a business.  It was great!

  All of this chatter led me to realize that new ideas are like new beginnings.  There is always the opportunity to start new projects at any age.  Being with Elizabeth has renewed my interest in a lot of things that have been thrown the wayside.  At the same time, being with her has made me realize that I need to stop being hindered by what other folks think I need to be or to do.  Other folks' approval, their advice, their ideas can just go in one ear and out the other.  She has given me the boost that I have been long needing.  I am eager to begin.  Spending the weekend with Elizabeth is just what I needed.

  Once I returned to the Little Bayou House, I started thinking how the renewed spirit in me is a lot like the sunrises on the Bayou that I so dearly love.  Each morning is a new chance to change what I do not like.  Each new day brings hope.  

Haven from Stress

 My friend, Darlene, came to visit the Little Bayou House today.  She calls this place her "Haven from Stress".  Whenever things start to cause a bit of anxiety, she heads to the Bayou and all of its serenity.  Whatever works.  I have long said that there is something most peaceful about the place. Obviously, others feel it, too.  As usual, we wound up on the pier. She likes fishing about as much as I do so it seemed to be the perfect place to toss a line and talk out all of her worries.  Works like a charm!

  Anyway, while we were there we both caught a nice trout before she noticed a strange wake coming across the water from the east.  At first, she thought a snake was wiggling its way to the pier but I assured her that this had to be a fish.  Since she was trying to catch enough fish for a meal, I decided that a surefire way of catching whatever fish was making the ripples was to throw the net over it.  When our fishy friend was near enough to the pier, it was easy to recognize it as a sheepshead.  Ok, so they are good eating...I threw the net.  The sheepshead darted under the pier and made a beeline for open water from the other side.  I figured I had missed my chance but as I hauled in the net, I could tell that I had something in there!  Pulling it up on the pier showed that my fish was a huge mullet!  Ok, mullet are good so into the bucket with the two trout it went.  Fish for supper was looking pretty good at this point.  There is more than one way to catch fish and if the net has to be put to use, so be it! 

  Needless to say, Darlene went hope with a nice catch of fish and a lot less stress.  Once again, the Bayou had worked its magic.  A good day of fishing can make all sorts of things seem better.