Friends That Matter

   I am constantly the brunt of many jokes about my preference of being alone.  I stay on the Bayou day in and day out.  I stay for weeks...or months...on end with no desire to go into the outside world.  Most people cannot understand why I have chosen this life but it is perfectly simple.  The "outside world" is full of nosy, inconsiderate people just like those who question my life.  They insist that I "need" friends,  that I "should" go places and that life "is" better as they live it...not as I do.  Still, it is my preference so here I stay.  I go only as necessary and not to fill a void in my life.  That void is not there.  My life is full.

  As for friends, I have plenty!  I have the type that matter.  The ones that stand by me, check on me and do not question my actions.  Of course, they are mostly of the critter sort but they matter!  First, there is Bat, the Bayou Prince Cat, that has proven he would lay his life on the line to defend me.  Once he even attacked cottonmouth just so I would not get bitten.  The snake was within inches of my barefoot when Bat darted across the yard to attack.  He is a protector and confidant!  I would definitely say Bat is the type friend that everyone needs...plus, he gives good snuggles!

 There is the barred owl that waits in the branches of the black gum tree to make sure the gardening is going well.  This beauty stands guard at night to keep the vegetable plots vermin free. Most every morning, I call "Good day!" to it before it glides down into the swamp to snooze away the daylight hours.  In the late afternoon, it silently flies in to take its post among the branches to keep watch.  I bid it "Goodnight" knowing my garden is in good hands.

  The dayshift of garden protection is carried out by friend, bald eagle.  Just about daylight as the owl is readying to retreat to the coolness of the swamp, the eagle comes to relieve it of its duty.  The eagle cocks its head in the oddest way as I call to it.  "Good morning, Friend Eagle!  You are welcome here but leave the cat alone!"  (So far, the eagle has only made one attempt at catching Bat.  The cat, thankfully, was wise enough to dart under the pier.) 

  Other friends include the watersnake in the pond, the black racer under the back steps and the ribbonsnake pair under the herb shelf.  All of these are helpful friends as they keep the smaller varmints at bay.  These are good friends, indeed, and all are welcome to stay.

  So...along with the myriad of other critters around, I have friends...lots of them.  They are unassuming, trustworthy and surely NOT busybodies.  They mind their own business and I do mine.  Let others feel the need to poke and pry...to gossip and fret...to go into rages at the drop of a hat...and be everything that I do not want to be.  I shall stay (as my sister-in-law says) the Hermitess of the Bayou.  I shall continue to do things the "old way", keep being the "Keeper of Weird and Wonderful Things" and always be just who I am whether others agree with it or not. 

 

The Blue Dot

   Earlier, the sun hit one of the prisms in the window at an odd spot and, instead of the normal rainbow of colors produced, a single blue dot of brilliance hit the wall.  I was at the right angle to see the dot whereas Son sitting across the room could not.  Why did this blue dot strike a chord with me?  Simply because over the past few days I witnessed some pretty spectacular events yet no one else could "see" them.  No one cared.  Even when I tried to share the experiences, I was met with blank stares, no responses whatsoever or "So?".  To be honest, it hurt.  I am not sure why but it did.  Perhaps that bit about being alone is not bad but loneliness is terrible has come to settle in around me.  No one understands.

  First, there was the tiny ribbon snake that lives near Puddle Pond.  It is no secret that the tiny snake is there as it can often be seen slithering through the hyacinths in search of baby frogs.  What made the sighting meaningful was that the snake was the prey not the predator and it sought my help.  A black racer was also at the pond and had spied the ribbon snake.  Had the smaller snake not wormed its way next to my foot, it would have surely met its end.  The black snake was not as confident about being next to a human as the ribbon snake was so the chase ended rather quickly.  I gently moved the tiny snake to the hanging plant on the arbor and shooed the larger critter along its way.  Just knowing the wee thing trusted me was thrilling...at least to me.

  Next, a hawk alit on a limb just a few feet from my head while I was out watering the dying plants this morning. The poor bird was looking longingly at the droplets.  I ever so slowly turned the spray toward the limb and thus on the bird.  The hawk was not afraid and actually started fluffing its feathers as if to soak up each droplet.  The heat and drought was obviously being harsh on the bird and it needed cooling as much as the plants.  After a few moments, the hawk flew to a nearby oak tree and watched as I continued my chores with my heart aflutter with excitement.

  Then, that blue dot of light which meant nothing other than the insight it gave me into how others cannot see what I do.  The brilliance aptly depicted my enthusiasm over the other events and the fact that Son could not even see it from his position nailed the attitudes of those not caring about the simple yet exquisite things around us at any given time.  Son and I discussed the reasoning behind the lack of response from people.  Either it has come to the point where others have lost the ability to marvel in the simple things in life or I have gotten to the point where each event (no matter how mundane) is extraordinary.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that life is short and becoming shorter with each day.  I am determined to cram as much "life" into what remains of my time here on this earth.  Folks, never...ever...lose the enthusiasm.  Live in wonder.  Take each day and view it in awe.  Trust me when I say there is never enough time. 

Waylaid By A Snake!

  Early this afternoon, I ventured down to the pier to check the crab traps.  So far, we have not had any luck catching many but it was worth the walk to check.  This is my way of "social distancing"!  I have banned EVERYBODY from the Little Bayou House so hiking about the place chases away any boredom.  

  It was on that hike that I veered off course and wandered the marsh line for a bit before going to the pier.  Suddenly, something made me stop in my tracks!  Usually when this happens, there is something that needs investigating.  I was not sure just what was there or where it was but SOMETHING made me stop.  It is an instinctive thing with me to be curious and to sense when a critter is nearby. Sure enough, there was a slight movement near the bottom of an old, dead pine tree. Suddenly, a head popped up!  Aha! My friend, the Black Racer, had come to visit...or, perhaps, I came to visit the snake.  

  A Southern Black Racer has this odd habit of "periscoping" when it needs to get a better view.  It will raise up sometimes fifteen inches and stare at the "intruder" (me!).  A Black Racer is one of my favorite snakes.  It is curious, gentle and very docile.  As much as I am around them and even hold them, nary a one has tried to bite me.  The snake is a gardener's friend since it loves insects, a shed's protector as it eats mice and rats and a good listener as it is very patient (yes, I did talk to it!).  

  After about a half hour, I finally made my way to the pier to check the crab traps.  No crabs!  It did not matter as the walk was eventful.  I was thankful that i had been waylaid by the snake.

The Perfect Visitor!

  In view of the current social distancing order, I fully discourage any visitors to the Bayou.  I live here.  You don't.  There is no need for you to come.  After all this is over and the virus has been defeated...you are welcome.  Not now, however.  I have stuck with the idea that without a host, the virus will die.  Mark, on the other hand, still comes and goes as he pleases.  It bothers me but nothing can be done so I do not even attempt.  I spend a good bit of time outside deep-breathing our fresh air, getting plenty of sunshine and doing yard work.  Great progress is happening in the garden!  

  Today, that social distancing put me to installing some gravel guards for the roof drain.  The way our house is shaped, rain pours down with a vengeance and washes gullies as it does.  I have tried everything but it seems as if this gravel drain some forty feet long is the only surefire way of coping with the destructive power of water!  The gravel guards will keep the gravel, itself, from being strewn into the lawn and then flung about by the mower.  I was on my hands and knees when a visitor showed up.  Surprisingly...this one I welcomed!  In fact, I was overjoyed to stop work, sit a spell and enjoy a bit of company.  It was delightful!

  A Southern Black Racer decided to investigate what I was doing in the garden.  While I was working, a movement caught my eye and I turned to see the snake making its way to me.  I was quite sure that it would veer off course to avoid me but, nope, it came straight in to visit!  The snake slithered up to the pile of large rocks that I had removed from the edge of the drain and then proceeded to inch closer.  Once it was about two feet from me, it stopped, started flicking its tongue and stared.  Oh, sweet thing!  Even when I slowly reached over to get the camera, the snake kept its place.  For a good half hour, my new friend and I shared some quality time.  I welcomed it to the garden and told it that I would prefer it chose the area as its permanent residence.  How sweet would that be???

  Even though I have taken to talking to critters, I promise that this whole isolation thing has not twisted the brain.  It has always been this way.  To be totally honest, I am fully enjoying my "alone time" as I am getting so much accomplished!  And...I am meeting new friends along the way. 

A Friend With Sage Advice

  It seemed to be a fine day for making a new friend but, since I rarely leave the Bayou and since not many folks come to visit, there was a slim chance of doing so.  The morning passed with not a person in sight and all hopes of a bit of quality time being spent with anyone were quickly dying.  Well, if it had to be that way, so be it.  I value my alone time highly and should not complain if the day should include nary another soul.  That is the way of life for me.  I tend to be content with what is thrown my way.  Today would be no different.

  Along about noontime, the sun was warm, the skies were blue and a hike seemed to be in order.  Meandering about the Bayou fills me with wonder as there is never any lack of magical occurrences found there.  Usually, the hike begins and ends at the pier.  A huge loop takes me around the marsh and deep into the creek bed.  Under the dark canopy of trees, magic is sure to happen but, this time, that magic happened in a sunny spot directly down the hill from the front door.  As the path twisted and turned, a bright splotch of sunshine found my new friend.  Here was the very being that I was supposed to visit since dawn.  Coiled upon some brambles, a black racer was basking in the warmth.  It did not take but a moment for the realization that my "new friend" would not be human but was to be this snake.  Dropping to my knees, I settled in to let it know that all was well between the two of us.  The snake made no effort to move as we sat just inches apart.  At times, I would rest my hand on the very bramble where it was resting.  A mutual respect was being shared.  A good hour was spent doing nothing more than appreciating the magic of the Bayou with my new friend.

  According to some legends, snakes can represent many things such as transformation, creativity and healing.  The transformation of oneself into a better person seems to be a pretty good idea and a boost in creativity is always needed but it was the healing that was brought to mind with this encounter.  It was time to discard any "venom".   For the past few months, things around here have been sort of topsy-turvy so my brain was in dire need of a good cleansing.  It was high time to purge the negativity that had accumulated and rejuvenate the spirit that dwells inside.  I could do this...I can do this...I will do this.  Life is good only if we choose to make it that way.  There is no time to stand idle and let things slide.  

  The time spent with the snake was refreshing to the soul.  It felt as though the two of us bonded through just being.  Whether I see this friend again is not important.  The message that I gained is, however.  It is funny how critters can sometimes speak volumes more than humans who supposedly have the talent to talk.  Communication with most people is little more than inane prattle.  Communication of thoughts is the key.  The hour was well spent with a fine friend, indeed.

The "Snake House"

  Early this afternoon, there was a great need for me to escape the confines of the Little Bayou House.  While I love my little place, sometimes, the "great outdoors" calls and I have to heed its beckoning.  It is never a good idea to not bend to the whims of Mother Nature.  Since the plants in the greenhouse needed watering, I figured that would be a grand excuse.  When I finished watering, I could mosey around to my heart's content before heading back inside to chores.  

   It did not take much further than the back steps to find something interesting.  Of course, Son always claims that I am easily amused so, perhaps, others would not have been so enthused about my find.  It seems that I have a snake living under my steps!  A tiny black racer was out basking in the warm sunshine after a freezing night.  The little rascal was as thin as a lead pencil and only about fifteen inches in length.  The sighting was enough to cause me to drop to my knees and spend the next half hour photographing (and talking with) the little snake.  At one point, Son came outside to find me having a full-blown conversation with what he assumed was a pile of leaves.  It took me only a few seconds to point out his blundering ways!  There was, indeed, a very likable creature receiving my words!   Next thing I knew, Son was on his knees, too!  He has as much interest and liking for these fine critters!  "I would love to see this little guy hang around." was Son's remark about my new found friend.

  The tiny snake was most likely hatched late this summer or early fall and was hoping that it had found a safe and warm place to spend the brunt of the winter.  The old wooden steps form a perfect nook for the little one to bed down during the cold nights so I was really happy to see it slither back under after its sunbathing time was over.  The snake should be relatively safe there from any predators and it will have a ready supply of foodstuffs as I have a tendency of tossing small scraps out the back door to fertilize the pear trees on either side of the steps.  Any number of slugs, snails, bugs and lizards can be found there daily.  On warm days, the snake will not have far to wander to get its belly full!  It sounds as if I may have a very smart snake taking up residency under the back steps!  Sounds good to me!  I think I am in love with this little snaky!  (And, yes, I really did climb under the house to get the photograph of Snaky Friend in his abode!)