My "Step" Plant

  The spring has been quite rainy.   We get thunderstorms nigh on every evening which is fine by me because I sleep well during storms.  I figure that my chores for the next day are easier as I do not have to drag the water hose around the gardens to give the plants a drink.  Those clouds do a fine job...better than what I can do.  Besides, there is something soothing about rain on the rooftop and wind that rattles the windows just a wee bit. So, I sleep...soundly and peacefully.  The other night, however, it was particularly rainy, rather windy and lightning was putting on a fantastic show through the south windows I had just settled in with the cat snuggling near me when I heard an odd thud.  Hmm...wonder what that was?  I sat up and strained to hear over the raindrops pelting the roof.  I heard nothing more and almost started to think I imagined the noise.  I looked at Bat, the cat. He stirred a bit then snuggled a little closer.  He did not seem concerned so all must be well.  Bat is pretty good at keeping me informed about what should be investigated and, obviously, a thud was not a threat.  The cat snuggled, the storm raged and I slept.  All was well in the Little Bayou House.

  I was busy canning plums the next morning so did not get to find my "thud".  It was not until two days later, that I discovered the source of the sound.  The wind had knocked down one of the hanging potted plants next to the French doors. The arbor surrounding these doors has a great structure that allows for hanging plants to be draped everywhere!  Well, the wind must have not appreciated the decor because one of the arrowhead plant was now a "step" plant and not a hanging one.  The small chains were broken causing the plant to plop right down on the step.  It looked quite at home there, so  it will stay.  My "step" plant is doing nicely...in fact, it looks much healthier since it fell.  This makes me wonder if perhaps the other five should come tumbling down!