Finding Shelter From Storms

   All of us have our times where we feel the need to take shelter whether it be from bad weather, other people or simply from our own emotions.  I have been feeling like that lately.  It feels like I am being twisted by a violent maelstrom that is pulling me deeper and deeper into the depths.  I am tired.  I am overwhelmed.  I am bewildered. When I feel like this, I stroll the Small Gardens and think.  The brain can wander without constraint.  Any number of magical events can occur and bring a bit of peace and happiness to my heart.  The gardens are where I seek shelter...they are my refuge. 

  A couple of days ago, my sweet niece came to visit.  She and I seem to be kindred spirits in more ways than one.  We can see the beauty in the simplest of thing and can pray away our troubles while meandering among the botanical wonders that surround us.  After she left, I headed back to the vegetable plot to check the squash.  It had rained the night before and the leaves were still drippy wet.  Most were hanging low over the blossoms as if they were offering shelter.  As I pushed aside one large leaf, my heart gave a little flutter.  Nestled deep inside of the large, yellow squash bloom were two tiny bees.  Snuggling together, the two had sought shelter from the overnight storm.  The squash plant had offered a safe-haven for them and they were reluctant to leave since the raindrops were still dripping from the leaves.  Gently....ever so gently, I lowered the umbrella leaf back over the two tiny beings and smiled.  I had found refuge simply by observing bees that sought shelter, as well.

  Folks, be kind.  It all goes back to that old saying "If you wouldn't like something done (or said) to you, don't do (or say) it to others.  

At A Loss For Words

  So it was not enough that my sweet niece, her husband and son came to the Little Bayou House and made my whole Christmas a lot brighter, they had to outdo themselves by returning.  Well, Eva, their son and a family friend came.  Erik was not able to be here in person as he works on a riverboat but with the magic of technology, he was able to be in on a huge surprise.  And, WOW!  What a surprise!  I am at a loss for words to describe the feelings going on inside of me right now.  

  If you recall, it is a big part of my Christmas to make a special batch of cookies for Erik.  With his sweet nature, he has always bragged on the cookies so it was only natural that I bake for him.  When they came to retrieve his annual gift of baked goods, I offhandedly mentioned that my arthritis was acting up and I would have to wait before baking any more of that type.  The dough is particularly difficult to get to come together with just a small hand mixer.  Out of pure sweetness, this family opted to gift me an amazing stand mixer!  It is so beautiful and big and powerful that I am almost intimidated to try it. Son promised that tomorrow, he will get me over my uncertainty and help me figure out this new gadget.  "In no time, you will be using it with ease." he assured me.  I hope so...I hope so.  For now, it sits on the counter and I admire its beauty.  Will I actually learn to use it and churn out some wondrous treats worthy of such a machine? 

  While receiving such a gift is phenomenal, what is truly mind-boggling is the love behind it.  Erik and Eva care about me and the discomfort I am having.   They sincerely care.  It is beyond heartwarming.   Several times this evening, the love and kindness shown has caused me well up with tears.  I am so very blessed...so very blessed.  

  

Its A Leaf...It Is Love

  Sometimes, you come across something that strikes a chord with you or tugs at the heartstrings for no other reason than it is there.   It is almost as if the item was specifically placed for you to find.  My hikes about the Bayou often present me with such treasures...treasures that most would pass over without a second thought but for some reason stand out as special to me.  This morning's "treasure" was nothing more than a leaf but, for some odd reason, it "spoke" to me.  (Not actually but you get the idea.)  

  Son and I were out getting more firewood early this morning.  He was running the chainsaw and I had hauling duty.  Even though toting the wood up the hill, around the side of the greenhouse and to the wood bin is tiring, I would much rather do this than the other part.  I am getting too old to be wielding the chainsaw!  It was on one of those walks with an armload of wood that I nigh on stepped onto the leaf.  Although it was noticed, the leaf did not stand out as anything miraculous until about the fourth trip past it.  Suddenly, I saw the leaf in a whole new light...literally.  The sun cast a single beam of light through the leaves of the old oak tree and brightened the leaf.  By the time I retrieved the camera from the house, the sun had moved on its merry way but the new found interest in the leaf remained.  It was gorgeous...a perfect red heart!  The leaf was photographed and toted back into the Little Bayou House.  I knew exactly what I was to do with the leaf!

  For years now, I have often given a "heart" to my sweet niece when she comes to visit.  It may be a heart-shaped stone, a leaf or flower petal but never anything bought.  Sweet Eva was coming today so I feel the leaf was placed especially for me to present to her. Yes, it seems silly but let me explain. This young lady has held a piece of my heart ever since she was a child.  She would often come stay when she was nothing more than toddler.  Now that she is grown, visits to the Bayou are special to me.  She is the type who would rather have a simple, from-the-heart gift than the most expensive present that money can buy and fully appreciates even the tiniest of gestures.  I knew when I saw the heart-shaped leaf that it was meant for Eva.  Not that a leaf, itself, was worth anything but, still, it was priceless.  The hearts that have been given to this sweet girl show that, even though the items themselves may fall the wayside (leaves whither, you know), the love this old aunt has will hold strong through whatever may come.

  Gracious as she is, Eva accepted my tiny offering with a profuse amount of gratitude.  She understands.  She knows that even though the leaf was simply plucked from the ground, that it represented the fullness of my love.  Oddly to say, she and I are kindred spirits.  We both understand.  

Mr. PJ and the "Little Bayou House"!

  Supporting artists and crafters is a big thing with me.  These folks work hard to perfect their talents and produce wonderful works of art whether it be a painting, a hand-knitted sweater, a piece of pottery or whatever.  They pour their hearts into the creations and are often poorly compensated by those who wish to buy the pieces.  Too many times, folks do not realize the time and effort that goes into artwork.  I know first hand.  It is a struggle. 

  That said, one of the most talented people I know came to the Little Bayou House today and, of all things, she brought a gift made by another quite talented lady.  My sweet niece, Eva, dropped in for a few moments and handed me one of the most unique gifts that I have ever received.  Not only is it remarkably creative, it is home...literally.  An artist name Erin Penn-Betar painted a tiny matchbox to look like the Little Bayou House.  Having never actually seen the house, she is pretty much spot on with the image.  When you slide open the box, you find that she painted an adorable picture of Mr. PJ and the "Bayou Ostrich" (aka heron)!  How in the world she managed to get such an ideal likeness of both animals in such a tiny box is beyond me!  Seeing the tiny world that she created made me a huge fan of this lady!

  The tiny matchbox Little Bayou House now sits in the china cabinet awaiting to be admired by all those who enter.  I am truly impressed!

I Can't Pack Them!

  After Ms. Ez died, my heart was broken.  It took a long while before I could even consider getting another dog.  I did not want to "replace" her.   Well, along came Mr. PJ.  We have settled in quite nicely and it seems as if this was supposed to be.  When I lost Ms. Ez, my sweet niece, Eva, painted a picture of Ms. Ez on a Christmas ornament.  It has fast become one of my favorites and stays out all year.  Each time I see that darling face looking at me, I have to smile.  Eva knows how to touch the heart with her gifts.

  This year, she brought two ornaments.  One representing Ms. Put, the Bayou Queen.  We lost her after nigh on twenty-two years of her being in the family.  The old cat's body just could not fight any longer.  The ornament, again, tugged at the heart strings.  The other ornament is of Mr. PJ, the newest critter to call the Bayou home.  When they were younger, he and Ms. Ez were best friends and later, when Ms.Put was so ill, PJ befriended her.  Eva thought I might like to have his picture hanging next to Ms. Ez. and Ms. Put.  Now, the three sweet friends' portraits hang on the post in the living room.  The "Christmas" ornaments are now everyday decor and I can enjoy them year round.

  I know it is a lot to ask but I am in hopes that next year, Ms. Nycto's portrait will be added to my collection.  Eva has so much talent and I am always honored to have a bit of her artwork in my home.  The Little Bayou House sure looks better with all of her pieces hanging on the walls.  

That, My Friends, is TALENT!

  Sometimes the talent of a person can astound.  Early this morning, I caught a certain niece of mine hanging a gift bag on the door handle of the old screen door.  She had good intentions of leaving that bag dangling there and slipping away unseen.  I fooled her!  Just as she was climbing back in that big truck of hers, I opened the door.  Well, she had no choice but to come on in the Little Bayou House and visit a spell.  The gift bag contained a gorgeous sweater that she and the rest of her "group of detectives" (from the recent Clue Hunt on the Bayou) had gotten for me as a show of gratitude for creating the hunt.  It was not a needed thing as this group is always welcome at the house but the thought nigh on overwhelmed me.  

  It was not the contents of that bag that has to do with Eva's talent.  As she readied to leave, she pulled out some ornaments that she painted.  OH, MY WORD!!  These were gorgeous!  That girl has more talent in her pinky finger than most folks of the world combined.  She amazes in everything she does and I have not found anything that she cannot do.  

  The ornaments were made of slices of wood that her husband (who is equally as talented, by the way) cut from some tree limbs.  On each, Eva painted.  I chose three that looked as if they belonged in the Little Bayou House but I have the idea to give them to Darling Daughter.  Elizabeth adores the Coast as much as I do and these will go perfect on her "Coastal Christmas Tree".  On the small slabs of wood, Eva had painted a shrimp, a blue crab and a Red Snapper.  Yep, those pretty much describe the Coast to a T!

  I cannot wait until tomorrow when Elizabeth stops by the house.  I am thinking she will like these as much as I do!  Plus...Elizabeth will now have a piece of Eva's artwork in her house.  There is nothing better than a handmade gift and when it is as beautifully made as this, it is all the better.  

My "Flower Child" Turtle!

  It is not uncommon to find turtles and tortoises around the Bayou.  I could probably be safe in saying that it would be most rare if there were none.  I would, indeed, be a bit perplexed by their absence.  Still, it is always fun to find a "glamorous" turtle here!  Terrapins are usually highly decorated creatures with their "diamond" patterns and pond sliders are brightly colored but the turtle in question puts these guys to shame!  This, my friends, is the most bedazzled turtle that I have ever seen!  

  My sweet niece and her husband, Eva and Erik, came by to see me this morning.  I had promised them some plants for their yard and these two are always quite prompt about coming.  On arrival, Eva handed me a large gift bag..."This is nothing really.  Just think of it as a "thinking of you", Valentine and early birthday gift!"  Ok, that did it!  Eva and Erik always manage to blow me over with their kindness but it is the uniqueness of their gifts that touch the heart.  I took the bag and peeped inside.  There, looking back at me, was a turtle!  A large turtle covered with all sorts of beads and flowers!  Well....a hippy turtle!  This, dear readers, was a flower-child turtle if I ever saw one!  I fell in love!

  My friendly turtle shall reside in the greenhouse tucked in among the plants.  I have high hopes of spending the next few weeks making the little building a showplace and this little guy will definitely do his part. What a wonderfully quirky gift from two of my favorite people!  Love you, Eva and Erik!  Thank you!