With the cooler weather starting to make its appearance here on the Bayou, we have to take advantage of the sunshine when it is here. That old adage about "Making hay while the sun shines" makes good sense. While I avoid that same bright sun during the summer months, I cherish every ounce of it during the winter. While out preparing the gardens for their winter crops, it sure feels good to peel off that outer sweatshirt and work in nothing more than a T-shirt. What makes it doubly delightful is that usually the gnats have already decided enough is enough and they are not swarming around me. Here lately, I have noticed that the old dog enjoys his moments in the sun. He basks in the sunshine while on the pier but, also, craves any spot where the beams come through the windows of the Little Bayou House. I have taken to leaving our heavy wooden door open so the sun pours through the screen door. Moving his bed to the doorway assures he is comfy and warm. He also has the bird's eye view of what is happening out in the yard.
I figure that the old dog is about in the same boat as me. Arthritis kicks in and kicks butt with the change of weather. I have learned to deal with it by taking an extra dose of Bayou Fire but the old dog probably should not follow suit. I am not sure that the fiery homemade remedy would agree with the dog or even if the dog would agree with the potion. We will leave that out of his daily regimen. What has been added is a good bit of exercise and fresh air. This seems to be agreeing with him as he looks forward to our thrice daily hikes and has even taken to letting me know when it is time. At exactly 6am, noon and 4pm, he follows me about the house until I agree to head outside. Mr. PJ will now scamper down the very same steps that used to cause him trouble. His pace has picked up to a full trot for the whole of the hike. After a good thirty minutes or so, he is ready to take a snooze on the pier in the warm sunshine before we head back to the house. I have to admit that his regimen is good for me as well. After losing Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog, having PJ to join me on a hike has been good medicine. We do well together...this old dog and I!
For more years than I can count, I have been making a brew called Bayou Fire. This is my home remedy for most every malady that hits during the winter months. While a lot of folks will not find the results that I have, it works for me. Each year when folks start to come down sick with bronchitis, flu, colds or you name it, I pull out the large pot and start my brew. It is merely a concoction of roots and herbs from the garden. These are fermented in a bath of apple cider vinegar. Since the brew has a name like Bayou Fire, it stands to reason that it is a bit hot. Besides the heat that fresh ginger root gives to the pot, I do throw in a mass of jalapeno and habanero peppers. Every item that is included promotes healing. I take it at the first hint of a cold or whatever. This usually does the trick. One or two doses and I have avoided illness. Therein lies the problem with others. Folks often come to the Bayou seeking an herbal remedy but not at the beginning of their illness. They wait until they are so sick that even doctor prescribed medications have a hard time breaking the sickness. Folks...with whatever medication you take, do not wait until you have some full blown illness before seeking help and then expect to be healed instantly. It does not work that way. Go to your doctor and get help. DO NOT COME TO THE BAYOU AND EXPECT MIRACLES! If you do, I will give you a couple of heaping spoonfuls of the Bayou Fire and you may not be too happy. While the Fire will help with symptoms, it is not for everyone.
As I was bottling my first batch of the Bayou Fire today, I was figuratively kicking myself for being lax. While I have been making this concoction for a number of years and freely giving out my recipe or even bottles of the elixir itself, I now find that this stuff is being marketed as a cure all....and it ain't cheap! The recipe for the marketed "Fire" is almost identical to the recipe that I shared so freely with folks. I could have been rich!!! If only I had the foresight to see that there would be this vast interest in herbal remedies, I would have marketed my stuff long ago. Instead, because I was laughed at, called "Bayou Witch" and otherwise just plain ridiculed for my interest in and use of herbs, I withdrew into my own little kitchen and left well enough alone. Still, each year, I brew up a batch or two to keep on hand if for no other reason than folks love sharing their illnesses with me. It fully amazes me how many people will come to visit knowing full well they should be home in bed! Nope! Ain't happenin'. Here, open wide and take a dose of Bayou Fire!
Occasionally, something occurs that will irk me a bit. I guess this is normal as, after all, I am only human. What raises my ire is when folks come to the Bayou sick. I figure that if I am ill with some contagious malady, I should keep that malady to myself and not share it. I stay home. I make a remedy. I heal before.....BEFORE.....getting around other folks. Too bad others do not feel the same. Year after year, I have tolerated it. I have hinted around to others that they do not need to share their illnesses with me but to no avail. They still come and will actually deny feeling bad even though they are gagging while talking with me! It has gotten to the point that I refuse to deal with this bit of stupidity any longer. So....I armed myself.
It is back that time of year when colds and flu seem to be the norm. Get a lot of people together and, invariably, someone will be sneezing, sniffling or coughing. This is why I tend to stick to the Bayou and steer clear of crowds. It is terrible, though, when those crowds (or even a single person) invade my territory and bring their sickness into the Little Bayou House. In the past, I have been nice and offered home remedies that actually are easy on the taste buds. No longer. After this past week of being bombarded by unthinking folks who insisted on sneezing at me, I will fight fire with fire.
To battle my winter woes, I stir up a cauldron....err, pot of what has been dubbed the "Bayou Fire Brew". The name suits it well. It is hot...spicy, spicy hot like any good Bayou Brew should be. This is my take on the famous Thieves' Vinegar. It just has a few added "secret herbs" that make it a tad more effective. Most folks would complain and whine if they had to sip a bit but I find that spiciness soothing to the throat and chest. Among those secret ingredients, is a healthy wad of Habanero Peppers. This adds capsaicin (and heat!) which aids in healing.
Now that I am armed to the max with this "high-tech" weapon, a threat has been issued! "Do not come to the Little Bayou House if you are ill because you shall be treated with what I take!" Then the Bayou Fire Brew will be whipped out and folks will receive a dose. There are two options that will help me here! One...the brew will cure them and everything will be fine. Two...they will not return to the Bayou while ill ever again! Either way...I win!
