Beautiful Music!

   After spending the morning in the kitchen making plum jam and the afternoon in the laundry room painting the trim work, I figured it was about time to make my escape from the confines of the Little Bayou House.  While I love my little house, I also love the freedom to roam the Bayou.  So, out I went, camera in hand and a need to feel the breeze on my face.  

  My hike did not get too far before I heard a weird "buzzing" or "rattling" sound.  The noise was quite loud.  It stopped me in my tracks.  What was that?  I slowly searched the ground which was rather difficult since I was on a mulched pathway in dappled light.  Ok, so something was in distress here and I could not find it.  Stop, listen...find.  Sure enough, I found.  A hapless cicada had fallen on the pathway and its wings were buzzing against the dry mulch.  The sound echoed making it much louder than I would have expected.  Reaching down, I scooped up the critter and attempted to put it on the arbor frame.  The cicada struggled to stay put.  Kerplop!  Down it went again.  Ok, so perhaps something was amiss with my friend.  Time to check the welfare of this fine creature.

  Sure enough, a fine silken web was wrapped around one wing.  Poor critter!  Bug in hand, I carefully removed the spiderweb from the wing and legs.  The cicada sat calmly in my hand while I worked.  Once it was clear, I held it back against the arbor and the creature climbed carefully up for a few inches before resting.  Goodness, it felt good to help!  This evening, the cicadas are calling loudly and I cannot help but smile thinking that one is surely my friend.  What beautiful music that is to hear!

The Helping Hand...uhh...Talon...Beak...

  Occasionally, something occurs on the Bayou that truly saddens me.  Recently, an osprey was seen acting rather strange.  The bird appeared to be exhausted from flying but with each attempt to land in the old pine, a struggle would ensue and the bird would take flight again.  My first thought that something was in the tree that was prohibiting the bird from landing.  Maybe a large snake was there as rat snakes are known to even be in the tops of the tall pines.  Since I had nothing better to do, I sat down and watched the osprey.  Again and again, it made the attempt to alight in the tree to gain some much needed rest but each attempt was aborted.  Fatigue is not a good thing when you are in flight.

  Soon, the osprey flew low overhead and I was able to view the full bird.  It became quite apparent what was ailing the poor bird.  Evidently, the bird had tried to catch a fish but that fish was its undoing.   Wrapped around the osprey's legs was a fishing line with cork still attached.  The bird could not use its legs!  My heart started breaking for the bird.  What was it going to do??  Ospreys depend on those strong legs and talons for more than just perching in a tree.  Without the use of its legs, an osprey cannot fish for food.  I sat fretting over the bird and trying to figure how it could be helped.

  It was not long before it became clear that my help was not needed.  The bird did a belly-flop on the shore on the other side my brother's pier. It screamed for its mate who quickly came and between the two of them, they managed to pull the line from the legs of the exhausted bird!  The tired bird took flight again and landed on her perch in the pine.  Soon her devoted mate brought her a nice size fish...WITHOUT a hook and line.  The love and care that the male osprey showed for his ladylove was amazing.  The resiliency and determination of both birds is something that should be inspirational to all humans.  I sure learn a lot from the critters around here and I am so thankful that, what could have been devastating, turned out to be truly incredible. I only wish the camera lens could have caught this feat but the distance was just too great. 

Friend of the Day!

  Every once in a great while, I am in the right place at exactly the right time.  It is almost as if I was destined in life to rescue those in need.  I happily oblige as I would hope that, if ever the need arises, I will be rescued myself.  Helping out is something I was taught.  It mattered not if it was a person or critter....if in need, you helped.  I still do as I hold strong to the values instilled in me so long ago.   It seems as if some of those values have been tossed to the wayside with the current situations going on in this old world so it be best to, at least, do my part.

  Early this afternoon, Son was toting the old dog down the hillside for me as I wandered about a bit.  The dog's care is a full time job now so any opportunity to get a breath of fresh air is very welcomed.  It was during my wandering that I came across my critter in need.  A tiny Little Brown Skink had just hatched and was still shiny wet and moving slow.  It needed the warm sunshine to help it gain strength so it could find its first meal.  As I was admiring the iridescence of its freshly hatched skin, a slight movement made me realize the baby was in extreme danger!  Oh, my!  Ms. Nycto (the wannabe mighty hunter Bayou Princess) had spied the baby and was quite interested.  The cat was in "hunt" mode with tail a-swishing!  Nope!  Not happening while I am around!  I shooed the cat who was none too pleased. She skulked behind the azalea bush hoping I would leave.  Well, I could not just abandon that sweet little one so I gently put my hand next to it fully expecting it to scurry beneath the leaves.  Instead, the tiny lizard climbed up on my hand!  Alrighty,  then!

  For the next half hour, the newborn skink basked in the warmth of my hand and the sunshine without a care in the world!  It was safe from Ms. Nycto and any other predator.  After it started moving a bit better, I gently held it next to a potted plant just inches away from where I first found it.  The tiny lizard gratefully, inched its way off my hand and into its new abode!  Happy hunting, Little One!  Happy life!

My New Job

  Rather than a new job, I should say that an existing job has veered into a different direction.  The old dog that is in my care is really showing his age lately.  I was advised at the last visit with veterinarian that this was to come but I was still not ready.  Do you ever get ready for things like this?  Mr. PJ started showing signs that things were "just not right" about a week ago.  First, he did something that was so out of character that even he was shocked.  His bladder let loose in the house.   Not just a dribble but full blown peeing everywhere.  Poor old fellow was humiliated to say the least.  That set in motion a new routine.  Now as soon as he gets up, he goes outside.  Usually, that was done after he ate.  This is working as far as the bladder situation goes but a new problem arose that needed tending.

  For the past two days, my sweet old friend has lost a good bit of strength and most of the control of his hind legs.  He has good intentions of standing, walking and typically being what he used to be but it does not happen.  Good news...he does not appear to be in pain.  He is in good spirits, eating well and, other than the accidents, has regular "waste disposal" functions.  My new job is to help him continue with his daily routines.  I help him walk.

  Carrying a 60lb dog is not an easy task for someone my age so a bit of ingenuity came into play.  For now, an old bath towel is folded in half lengthwise and passed under Mr. PJ's belly.  The two ends of the towel are held in one hand above his back.  This way, I can gently lift his body while he "pedals" along with the front legs.  It works well with little stress on him...or me.  It took a little while for him to get the idea that I was helping but once he did, he accepted my efforts.  If his condition does not improve, the plan is to sew a "hoisting cloth" with handles so the process will be easier.  

  There are those who would rather just "put him down"...there are those who have to give unneeded advice...there are those who find it ridiculous that I am putting this much effort into helping a dog..but as long as he and I can work this out decently, we will work through it.  I am not letting a friend in need down because I am too lazy to deal with his needs.  Mr. PJ deserves my help and will get it until it is not needed.  It is hard.  It is time consuming.  I become frustrated.  He becomes frustrated.  But, we will do the best we can...together.