The weather on the Bayou sometimes is not as agreeable as we wish. With family here for the holidays, it would have been nice to have sunny days so the kiddos could play outside. Instead, we are having storms. Not winter storms by other folks' means but Deep South Bayou winter storms. Storms with rain and strong, gale force winds....and warm temperatures. While I love a good storm, this mess could have waited until I could sit back and enjoy it. Silly storm, what were you thinking?
The good side of this is that Old Santa brought enough toys to entertain the kiddos for months. They are fine. They are squealing, running, jumping and playing until they drop. The adults are mostly wishing they could nap the days away...except for me. I am going stir crazy and this is only the first day of many of predicted storms. A week!! Yep, a week of storms should be pounding the Little Bayou House so I guess I will have to slip out in the rain if I want to keep my sanity.
The weather has been a bit unsettled for the past twenty-four hours or so. A stiff easterly wind has pushed the tide far up into the Bay. Most of our neighbors' piers are under water. Their boats sit moored unreachable. A weather system has moved across the Gulf and is bringing rain, wind and high tides. This is nothing to cause worry other than for those who have to travel flooded roads. Since I pretty much stay on the Bayou, I can purely marvel at the Bayou at is fullest. The only threat we have is that critters from the marsh are now seeking higher ground. It pays to be watchful when traipsing about the hillside. Any number of snakes may be out and about but the only worrisome ones are the cottonmouths. Others may give you a fright but the moccasin may give more than you bargained for. I also have to keep close watch on PJ, the newcomer dog, as he may not be aware of the dangers of said snakes.
Pop always used to say that an east wind never brought anything good. He was referring to fishing, of course, and claimed that "good" fish did not bite during an east wing. I figured that since fishing was out other things should be done. The inclement weather gave me the opportunity to work more on props for the upcoming clue hunt. Our debut run is this Friday whether we are ready or not. Mark has to go back to work so we rallied together a group of his brothers and sisters. They will be our "trial" team. Hopefully, things will run smoothly for them. I have not been able to work as much on the props as I would have liked due to an injured leg but Son and one of his buddies have taken up the slack. They have the "working" parts ready but the decorations are still not complete. Today's work put me closer to finishing my parts but there is still a lot lacking. Three more days to get things completed is pushing it. Wish me well!
The storms that roll in off the Gulf always inspire me and get the wheels in the brain turning. There is just something about the excitement of a good storm to shake up things a bit and I definitely need a good shaking!
The winds shifted from the north to coming from the east, today. I was in hopes that that north breeze would hang around for a while since with it came some cooler weather. Perhaps this east wind will bring us much needed rain so all is well. With this east wind (or with south, for that matter) comes a delightful music. Since the windows open to welcome the crisp fall air, I can hear a tinkling of wind chimes as the gentle breeze wafts under the rose arbor. The music makes me happy as both wind chimes were gifts from family members years ago.
Wind chimes are some of those things that we all seem to recognize but rarely does anyone know the history behind them. They have been around for thousands of years. In ancient times, especially in South East Asia, the wind chime was used to ward off evil spirits and welcome benevolent spirits. These chimes were usually strung bells whose tinkling could be heard in most gardens. Ancient Romans used them as a symbol of good fortune and would hang them from porticoes Later, the chimes/bells had a more purposeful use. Farmers would hang the devices in their fields to scare birds and animals that would come to devour the crops. Fruit trees soon had the chimes dangling from limbs to do the same. Now, wind chimes are more for aesthetic purpose. Their melodic tinkling can be soothing and meditative.
Wind chimes come in assorted styles and tones. Depending on the material used to make the chimes, the music can be a simple clattering of wood to gorgeous notes produced by finer metals. The more exquisite chimes have an actual formulas for tube size and hole placement to produce a myriad of musical tones. These have recognizable notes and can be classified as actual chance-based musical instruments.
I enjoy the chimes in the garden...not only for their tinkling wind-produced music but of the love that came with the gift of chimes. It is highly relaxing to hear the music that is made purely by chance. Music of the Wind...happy thoughts.
