Back when this whole quarantine thing started, I noticed on social media that a lot of folks were having a hard time coping with the idea that they had to stay home. It seems that, even though we should be thankful we have a home, it is a struggle to be there for days on end. I do not have that problem as the Bayou is where I prefer to be and I prefer to be there without other people. But, back to those folks grappling with the prospect of being home-bound for a length of time. When I realized they were only seeing the downside of things, I decided to post one photograph each day of something to hopefully lift their spirits. I created "Thing of Beauty" posts and asked my friends to do the same. It went over well with several following suit. That, in itself, is a thing of beauty.
Today, I posted a photograph of an Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. The image was particularly interesting to me as I managed to catch the first sun rays of the morning illuminating the bloom. It was almost as if the yellow flower was glowing. So, I used that idea to make a point about how each day is a gift and we should try our best to "glow" in appreciation. That idea got me to thinking about how it is totally up to us how we start our days. Yes, things do often go awry but our outlook determines how we deal with whatever is thrown at us. Beginning the day with a positive attitude goes a long way in determining the path we will follow. Going back to the quarantine, I refuse to look at it as a bad thing. Folks are being forced to become family again. Folks are being made to realize that not everything they "had to have" a few months back is even pertinent now. Folks are sharing, caring and being generally nice folks. Yes, there are those "people" (some people are just not folks) who are taking the wrong road and going off the deep end. But those are the few....the many are being decent human beings. They are glowing...something folks have not done for some time now.
The cactus will keep on growing and blooming. Hopefully, folks will keep on growing, blooming and glowing right along with the plant. Life is only as good as you make it regardless of the situation. No, a smile is not going to make the virus go away. It is not going to repair financial problems. Nor will it keep you from going stir crazy because you cannot be with your friends. It will, however, make the day brighter...for you and anyone who is on the receiving end of your friendly gesture. Be happy, folks. Glow!
Springtime sees us being invaded by millions of tiny, black grasshoppers. As they age, these things change into huge, three-inch-long, plant-munching, multi-colored menaces. They eat everything in sight. We have found that it is far easier to get rid of as many as possible when they are just hatching rather than wait until they are large enough to cause major damage. Try as I might, I never get them all. Of course, it is ridiculous to think that would be possible considering they are throughout the woods and on the neighbors' property, as well. I do try to get rid of any adult grasshoppers that may evade my first attempts but a lot of them slip past unseen. It is then that I get real aggravated at the critters...which is strange as I usually live by a "live and let live" mantra. If these grasshoppers would keep themselves back in the woods, I would be ok with their presence but, no, they want to munch my garden plants, instead. These are the dreaded Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers. Ugh!
Back in the early part of the summer, I had to keep covering the lily bulbs because the adult grasshoppers were eating the new growth. Once they finished off the top of the plants, they started in on the bulbs even to the point of digging into the ground to get at them. I put some bulbs in pots and covered them with another flower pot to keep the critters out. This did well until I had to uncover the plants. They were too tall to keep covered. The lilies sent up tall shoots with buds and I was so excited! These bright yellow blooms always brighten the fall gardens.
This past weekend, I checked the bud. Alas! A grasshopper was munching away on the stalk! In fact, it had nibbled its way from top to bottom eating just about half of the stalk. The lily had bent over because it could not support the weight of its own buds. Needless to say, the grasshopper had just eaten its last meal. My lily was ruined, however. Brokenhearted, I left the bud and went inside. This morning as I watered the other plants, I noticed the lily. Sheer determination let that lily bloom in all its glory! Even though it was ravaged by the critter, bent over flat and seemingly did not have a chance in the world...it bloomed. Seeing that bright yellow flower that bloomed against all odds gave me a weird sense of strength. If the plant can survive and still provide a bit of beauty, I can lift my head a bit higher and smile a bit brighter. Things are not that bad, after all.
I found long ago that bumblebees and other flower bees sleep deep inside of flowers at night. Here, they are snug little bugs! In the morning, they have a ready source of pollen for breakfast before they go about their daily business. Most flowers, such as lilies, squash blossoms and trumpet vine blooms are sturdy and provide shelter against rains and the chill of night. However! Sometimes, the choice of bloom can be a mistake.
Last night we had torrential rains. Everything became soaked. This morning's hike proved to be rather soggy with the leaves and blooms still dripping water. One small bumblebee was quite soaked. It had made the mistake of choosing the bloom of the Althea bush as its nighttime quarters. Normally, while this would not have been the best choice, it definitely would not have been the worst. The blooms of this shrub are "one time only" blooms. They open during the day and then close...for good...at dusk. If a bee climbed inside the bloom, the soft folds of petals would gently caress it like soft blankets as it closed for the night. In the morning, the bee could still wiggle its way out of the petals. With the rains, however, the petals would almost "glue" themselves together making a tightly enclosed "cocoon" around the bee. Obviously, our little bee had sense enough to climb out of its bed and "ride out the storm" on the outer edge of the shriveled bloom. Poor, little bee was covered with water droplets but was still clinging to its bloom!
It seems that this summer has had two things going for it. It has been hot! We have had near record temperatures. It has also been wet. Rainstorms pop up almost every evening. as of late. These storms have a lot of wind, lightning and thunder. The little bee endured quite the ordeal last night so I am in hopes that it finds a safer place for tonight's slumber. Perhaps it should try the new hotel called "Madonna Lily" down the garden a ways. I hear tell that its "open all night" and is touted to have strong petals. Sweet dreams, Little Bee!
