Just out of reach!

   Down near where the Bayou makes a turn toward the creek, there are a number of wild persimmon trees.  One has been there since we first moved into the Little Bayou House.  For a persimmon tree, it is quite large.  It has stood there through numerous hurricanes with Hurricane Katrina completely submerging the tree.  Still, that tree stands and produces.  Seeds from that tree have been scattered by possums, coons, birds, squirrels and me!  I love to eat the marble-sized fruit just as much as the critters do.  It is a constant battle to see who can get to the ripe ones first.  I usually lose out to the critters but sometimes I can snatch a few from the limbs.  Now that there are dozens of trees, the snatching is getting much easier.  For those who have only tasted the large, cultivated persimmons, you don't know what you are missing.  I highly prefer the taste and texture of the wild ones over the cultivated ones.  Sure, they are tiny and, sure, you have to share with the critters but these things are special!

  The trees now stand just about devoid of all fruit.  It is late in the season and most of the fruit has been eaten already.  This morning's hike led me to the persimmon trees as I was in hopes of one last taste before there were no more.  I did find one.  Sadly, it was far too high for me to reach.  I longingly eyed that luscious, orange blob that dangled just out of reach.  If only I could climb as deftly as the critters, I could have my one last taste of the season but, being old, I had best not make the attempt.  The lonely persimmon will likely be eaten tonight and the seeds strewn about to make more trees!  That all makes me happy!  Life goes on.