Caught Red-handed!

Several weeks ago, I told you that I was patiently watching the wild persimmons hoping that I would be able to pick some before the animals or birds ate them all. The fruit was just starting to get their telltale red mushiness which pointed to them soon being eat worthy! Nothing better than to trot down to the marsh edge and grab a handful directly from the tree to have as a snack. I could hardly wait! Well, this afternoon as I was enjoying the shade in my favorite chair, Mutt Ezzy raced down the hill to the persimmon tree. She was all in a tizzy..jumping up against the tree and then racing back to me. What did this crazy dog tree now??? She had definitely seen something go up that tree and was not about to let it come back down. Up out of my chair and down the hill I went to find whether there were squirrels or 'possums in my tree. No, No, No!! Whatever it was it cannot have all my persimmons! Too late! Up in the very tiptop of that tree.. granted it is a small tree..was a young raccoon. He stared down at the dog and me as I stood and stared up at him. His masked face looked innocent enough but I knew what his intentions were! He wanted to dine upon my persimmons! Again.....too late! Why you little rascal, you have already just about decimated my persimmon crop! There was only a handful of the fruit left hanging on the limbs and the evidence of earlier mealtimes was littered on the ground beneath the limbs. Obviously, this was not his first visit and obviously he was not too frightened that he lost his appetite. As I stood watching and as Ezzy bounced crazily against the tree trunk, the raccoon proceeded to eat fruit after fruit. Nothing I could do about it now..so I let him enjoy his supper. Goodbye, persimmons!

Before

the

persimmon incident, I was up and on the pier in

time for a beautiful sunrise. There was a bit of cool breeze before dawn making this the perfect time to savor my first cup of coffee. The sun peeping through the trees set the most stunning display. I slowly sipped the steaming cup of coffee, just relishing the peace and quiet of a Bayou morning. The only sounds I could hear were the occasional splash of a fish jumping in the water and the unending chorus of birds chirping their "good mornings" to the world. I truly felt that this sunrise was unquestionably mine and mine alone. It is times like these that make me appreciate life on the Bayou and just life in general.