More Random Thoughts

Moss Land

When was the last time that you dropped to your knees and peered at the ground beneath your feet? There is an amazing world down there! Today, I noticed a beautiful little clump of green moss growing between the planks on the boardwalk that leads to the pier. This velvety soft mound is such a pretty little thing in the greyness of midwinter that I had to actually reach down and touch it. Aaaahhh.. it brought back memories of "Faerie Houses" that a favorite aunt used to help me design when I was a child! She and I would dig up all sorts of mosses to serve as seating for the faeries that attended the balls that were held in our faerie houses. Pretty stones, leaves and flowers were all added as adornments and I just knew that in the evening the faeries were dancing the night away. I miss Aunt Helen..I think she played a huge roll in developing my imagination. She always told me it was ok to dream..and I do.

Pretty Mushrooms

In the back by the woodpile, I found some of the prettiest little, brown mushrooms that you would ever want to see. They are a beautiful golden brown and about three inches in diameter. I have no clue as to the type of the mushroom and I sure have no desire to munch on any but to me they have always been a source of wonderment. Then a thought flitted through the brain.."How in the world do these things not freeze?" We have been having some really cold nights lately, but these little mushrooms still stood firm and did not turn to mush like so many of the other plants and fungi. Perhaps scientists need to do a study of the "antifreeze" mechanisms of certain fungi and then can come up with something to keep my tomatoes from turning mushy and brown with the first frost!

Table Pixie

I found another "face" today! I told you earlier how my grandpa used to show me faces in all sorts of places and how this habit of searching for hidden faces stuck with me throughout the years. This "face" reminds me of a little pixie! I think she is most adorable with her funky little hair and mischievous expression. She was discovered on the bottom of my mother's dining room table. I had dismantled this table to do some repairs on it when I discovered the "Table Pixie"! You might have to squint a great bit to see her, but with my imaginative brain, she is quite visible. It seems as if I am surrounded by these poor little imps that are trapped at times in inanimate objects. There is no shortage of faces to be found in the knotholes of planks, the woven threads of fabrics and reflections in the window panes. Still I am quite happy to have a pixie living under my table..I think she shall stay as long as she likes!

Red..the color of winter

Most of the time, we have a tendency to think of winter in terms of white (snow/frost) or grey (cloudy skies). The other day, my sweet sister-in-law came to the House on the Bayou. It was a briskly cold day and she had on the brightest red pair of gloves. As she held a steaming hot cup of coffee and I thought.."That is the color of winter! Bright red gloves!" I had to convince her that I was only going to snap a picture of her hands. She is a bit camera shy, and I fully understand this as I do not care to have pictures taken of me either. She sat drinking her coffee and I sat snapping pictures! Something about those gloves and the way she held that mug of coffee made the whole day seem a bit warmer!

Crackling fires!

Speaking of warm..the little woodburning stove is doing its job well. It burns bright and keeps the house nice and toasty. This is the little cast iron parlor stove that needed major refurbishing.I am happy to say it works perfectly! I did make the mistake of picking up a few cedar limbs that the road crew cut. I tossed them on the fire, not thinking that it would be any different than any other wood. They sent up a shower of sparks that reminded me of fireworks on the 4th of July! So pretty to watch but not to safe if left unattended! The fire was shooting sparks out on the floor so the screen had to be put in place until that piece of wood burned out. Oh well, it was a good excuse to sit with a cup of tea and prop my feet up for a few minutes until the popping stopped!

The sun is a star!

Just north of here today, there was a major fire. As far as I know there were no injuries, thank goodness, but a business burned and several others received damage. Although I truly feel for those that suffered damage as I have gone through losing a house to fire, the smoke made for a beautiful sunset. I did not use any type filter to get this picture..this is just the way the sun actually appeared. I took way too many pictures of this one sunset but every five minutes or so, it changed. Each change brought about another breathtaking view. It truly looked like a huge star and the reflection on the water was gorgeous. Maybe it was a sign that things were going to be alright after this fire. Maybe the Good Lord just decided to do some incredible painting of the sky. Maybe it was just a fluke of nature. Or perhaps I just see things a bit differently than most people..I don't know.

And finally

"Farewell"

A fond farewell was bid to Agatha. If you recall, she was actually the first of the Will-O-The-Wisp dolls that I made. She has been "adopted" and is on her way to Holland! I was a bit saddened to let her go but knowing she will be with someone who loves her made it a bit easier. hehe I had grown to love her! I am sure she will be happy in her new home and perhaps will be a great ambassador from the Bayou! Hopefully, we will receive a picture of her in her new land!