Friends...all shapes and sizes

   For the past week, an osprey has been hanging about the yard.  It usually came to roost on a low limb of a pine tree that grows near the shore end of the pier.  As I make a dozen or so trips to the pier each day, I have made it a habit to speak to the bird.  He would cock his head to one side as if trying to understand my "strange" language.  Not once did the osprey act startled or afraid of my approach.  In fact, I was beginning to think he looked forward to our interaction just as I did.  Perhaps, birds and humans are not that much different as we both crave attention from where it comes.  If I was to linger long between visits, his high-pitched screeches could be heard echoing up the hillside.  Was he calling me?

  This daily routine has been a pleasant break from the chore-load that I have been having since both guys of the household (husband and son) were laid-up.  My first interaction with the osprey was when I was cutting firewood.  The bird came to the pine tree and watched the entire time as I cut, loaded and then hauled the firewood up the hillside.  For seven days, he came.  It was like clockwork.  I would head to the pier at 4am with my mug of coffee and he would be there.  Off and on during the day, I could depend on his presence so much so that I started venting to the bird about the heavy load I was bearing.  He seemed to care...or perhaps, I was hoping someone did and the bird was a handy listener. 

  Today, my friend did not come.  The limb sat empty.  It was a bit saddening and I felt a certain loneliness come across me.  Maybe the inclement weather had something to do with his absence...maybe he found a new friend who was more interesting.  Whichever...I am purely grateful that he was there when I needed him the most and I wish him well.  Friends come in all shapes and sizes.  Mine, at the moment, was in the form of a bird.

The Dancers

   There are times when I ponder things in life that make no sense.  I am not sure why these things even occur to me but they do so I ponder.  Today's ponderance...do plants have emotions?  Seriously.  Do ferns feel joy when the rains fall?  Do lilies fret when a frost is imminent?  Do trees feel love and friendship for those growing next to them?  While most folks would say a hasty "No.  That is impossible."  I wonder.  Why not?  And how would we know?  Granted, they do not have brains as we know brains but what if...what if there was some other way that scientists have not discovered?  Humans are not the only smart beings on this old earth.  (To be honest, I totally wonder if we are smart, at all.)

  Down by the marsh near the east side of the property, there are a couple of old dead pine trees that were struck by lightning several years ago.  While the trees were among the living, it was hard to tell where one's branches ended and the other's began.  They were all entwined and also had vines twisting about them making matters worse.  Since the lightning strikes, however, the trees have become devoid of needles and the vines died.  Now, a few sparse limbs remain.  The two trees look as if they were holding hands...uhh...branches.  In fact, it appears that they were quite chummy and were lovingly dancing while their world crashed about them!  Perhaps the one was trying to be supportive of the other even in their dying days.  Who knows?

  In all seriousness, folks.  Be kind.  Be supportive of those who may be near wit's end but not showing it.   Sometimes, those who appear to be the strongest are near the breaking point.  They carry on as if nothing is wrong simply because they have no one to support them or give them much needed attention. Reach out.  Life is hard enough as it is so just be kind.

  

We Are Friends

   Living around the marshes and swamps, you become quite familiar with many of the critters that dwell there.  Some are best left to their own accord but others seem to crave attention...any attention that you give them.  The relationships that I share with the critters happen to be some of my favorites.  I have often said that I have more critter friends than people friends and that I prefer it that way.  Critters don't do unnecessary drama.  They are there merely to survive the best way they know how.  They do not have time to stir up unwarranted trouble.  I like that.  It is too bad that people are not more like that.

  Along about daybreak, if I am not on the pier, I am in the gardens.  Either place gives me the perfect opportunity to be with my friends.  This morning, the trek to the pier was only long enough to photograph the big, full moon.  The Corn Moon was still high in the sky at 5 am!  Once I photographed it, I headed back to the Small Gardens as I felt that I have been neglecting those critters.  After filling the bird feeders and putting out fresh water, I settled in the big wicker chair.  My quiet time was to be in the gardens this morning.  Quiet??  Nope, there were several frogs still serenading in the small Puddle Pond.  Their "music" was just loud enough to be heard at the other end of the garden plot.  I was, however, serenaded by another sweet friend.  Every morning, Mama Wren still calls to her young.  One by one, they come to her, converse a bit then head off to start their foraging.  It is almost like she is doing roll call!  

  Mama Wren took up the checking station on the dead black gum tree.  The tree is nothing more than a tall stump with a scraggly mess of limbs now but it is the perfect meeting spot for the wrens.  They are still close enough to their childhood home of the porch arbor to be familiar with their surroundings but the tangled limbs give them protection from the marauding hawks.  After checking in with four of her five "teenagers", she flew down to sit on the arm of the chair next to me.  Yes, I did talk with her.  I always do.  We are friends.   

Gray Squirrels...Fiends or Friends?

  Every squirrel I know has a bad reputation.  Perhaps it is just those that live around the Bayou but here, they are thieving, destructive little critters.  They swipe the fruit from the trees, steal my tomatoes before they are ripe and can gnaw their way through just about any surface.  More than once has Son had to repair the roof, siding and doors just because a squirrel has decided our house is its house.  And don't think they are not sneaky enough to try entry in the middle of the night!  Son and I were out on the rooftop at 2am because one persistent rascal was ripping the siding off the upstairs walls!  Bird feeders, gardens, kitchens...none of these are safe.  We have had our battles in each case.  Squirrels...the evil ones of the rodent family.  Well, rats are not nice either...nor are shrews!  Shrews are downright wicked!  They are quite feisty!

  Now that it is settled that squirrels can do a lot of damage, I want to repair the damage done to their reputation by the previous statements.  Squirrels are not complete fiends bent on driving humans mad with their antics.  In fact, some squirrels are helpful!  Yes, you read that right and, yes, that did come from me.  Squirrels can be helpful!  Just today, an example of their good deeds came to light. I was overjoyed to be the recipient of their kindness!  Oh, lucky me!

  While I was out doing a bit of yard work, it occurred to me that I should gather a few "fire sticks" (as my sweet granddaughter calls them) or twigs.  We are to have a bit of cold weather here for the next few days and the old woodstoves will need stoking.  Twigs are a great fire starter and in the enclosed iron stoves, they last a good while.  It is my custom to gather a handful or two on each outing so it is not a big chore to get them when needed.  I found just what I needed in the lane.  There are several large squirrels' nests in the hickory trees that line the lane and beneath those, there were dozens of fire sticks.  It seems that the ideal size to gnaw a twig for use in nest-building is also the perfect size for my woodstoves.   It took only a few moments to gather a nice bundle of the 14 to 15 inch sticks.  Squirrels are great at measuring and gnawing the limbs but, apparently, not so great at holding on to each one they cut.  The lane was filled with lovely fire sticks...or nesting supplies...whichever.  So, a big shout out to the gray squirrels that live down the lane!  Your help is greatly appreciated and your status has gone up a few points in my book.  (At least, until you steal my plums come this spring.)

Friends Not Often Seen

  We usually tend to think friends are those folks who visit often.  Those folks who can drop in unannounced, linger over a cup of coffee and chat as if time is not of essence.  Sometimes, however, friends can be not often seen.  Years can pass before a unplanned event throws folks together.  Friends can pick up where they left off so long ago as if time and distance make no matter.  Then, there are friends of a different ilk.  Those are the ones that are seldom seen but make a huge impact on one's life.  It often make me wonder if those are the truest folks.  They go about life without ever expecting anything in return for the kindness they give.

  With all of this talk of friendship, you knew this writing was going to eventually turn to critters.  It all goes back to the idea that I have far more critter friends than people friends which suits me fine.  Critter friends do not dwell in drama.  Today's critter friend is one of those "rarely seen" ilk.  One may catch a fleeting glimpse of something scurrying beneath the leaves or in between grass blades but getting a long visit is often unheard of.  This morning, I had a quite lengthy visit with a Little Brown Skink.   I was honored that the critter trusted me enough to lounge near where I was sitting. It made no effort to hide nor run away even though we were inches apart.  We just sat and enjoyed each other's company.  

  What makes this a true friend is that the skink is always lending a helping hand.  This little one scurries about the leaf litter in search of small insects.  It pokes its nose under leaves or mulch seeking things such as fleas, spiders, roaches, ants and termites....all which are considered to be pests by most folks. This applies to me, as well, except for the spiders.  In my mind, spiders are good.  That said, this little friend is a friend indeed albeit one that goes unseen by most folks.  The Little Brown Skink...a hard-working friend that lends a helping hand even to those who do not appreciate it.

A "How NOT To" post

  For a few years now, there has been a huge upswing in "do it yourself" project books on the market.  It seems that folks cannot figure out the simplest of things these days without some step by step instructions.  Back in the day, folks used their brains or as Pop used to say "used the head for something besides a hat rack."  There was no "I do not know how to do it.  Let me get a book."  If something needed doing, you just did it. Useful knowledge was passed down from generation to generation like it was a priceless heirloom. (And it was.) All of that has seemed to go the wayside, though, nowadays.  Still, the folks who write all of the "How To" books are pretty smart as they are making a killing by selling what once was commonsense.  (That...commonsense...is a rare commodity these days.)

  I am not here to share a "How To" but rather a "How NOT To".  A friend came back to the Bayou today for a bit of fishing.  She and I seem to head to the pier no matter what the weather which was definitely proven today.  The north wind was icy and it had blown the tide far out from the shore.  That was not going to stop us from fishing just like the lack of bait was not going to deter us.  We were determined to fish regardless of the obstacles that kept bouncing in our way.  I showed her how to use the trap to catch bull minnows and I caught a few mullet.  We were good to go...except for the lack of water.  No problem!  We would just toss all the lines out as far as we could.  Once the lines were out, I tried to catch a bit more bait only to come back and find all of the lines in one cluster. My friend had moved the lines closer together so she could watch them all easier.  Uh, oh.  This could present problems...especially if a fish bit on one of the hooks.  No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than, sure enough, one of the lines started zipping out.  I reached down and set the hook in the jaw of a big redfish.  Not good.....not good.  That big fellow shot out across all of those other lines and no matter how I pulled to turn him, he was having no part of it.  My friend did not understand when I urged her to wind in the other reels.  I could only imagine the tangle once that redfish had his way.  Ok, so since the other lines were not being removed from the area, I had to turn that fish and direct HIM out of there.  Long story made short...I managed to steer the redfish away from all but one of the other lines.  Yep, he tangled but I still landed him!  

  So, folks, do not fish with a bunch of lines all cast out in the same vicinity.  Spread those hooks out a bit!  It is definitely not a good idea to have everything all bunched up together.  I think my friend learned a valuable fishing lesson today.  Even though only one other line was tangled by the fish, we lost a good bit of fishing time.  It took a good ten minutes to untangle the lines!

Twice the Therapy

  Sometimes folks come to the Bayou to escape the hassles of the "outside" world.  When things get a bit hectic or stressful, they can escape to the relative peacefulness of the Bayou and leave the mess behind. Most want to sit on the pier and cast a line regardless of whether the fish are biting.  I do not mind as I fully understand.  The Bayou is my little bit of paradise even if there are those who disagree.  Sure, the place may seem a bit rough around the edges and not at all "livable" to those not accustomed to this life but that, in itself, suits me fine, as well.  It sort of weeds out those who do not need to be here.  The life isn't for everybody and I will be the first to say it is not.  It is perfect for me, though.  I love it here...rough edges and all.

  Today, a friend was in need of a little Bayou Therapy.  She has been having a rough month and was not feeling too well.  She was stressed, exhausted and just needing some good old peace.  As she walked down the pier, she said she could just feel things being lifted from her.  We chatted a bit, fished a bit and then Mr. PJ worked his magic.  The old dog must have somehow felt that she needed a bit of attention.  He rose, ambled over to Darlene and lifted his head.  She started petting him and cooing to him.  Another stress instantly left her.  Come to find out, she had been missing the two dogs that were with her for the past few years.  Her daughter moved out of state and took the dogs with her.  Mr. PJ was just what Darlene needed.  

  Not only did the Bayou work its magic but Mr. PJ worked his as well.  After catching a few fish, loving on the old dog and then having a fish dinner cooked up for her, Darlene left the Bayou in much better spirits.  She promised to come back for a second therapy session this weekend and I am sure that Mr. PJ will be so willing to apply a bit of his charm to go along with that of the Bayou.  Nice!

Coming to my Rescue

  I was never so glad to see one of Son's friends come to the Little Bayou House as I was today.  The first run of the clue hunt is barreling at me like a herd of runaway elephants and with this bum leg, I am far from ready.  Son has been working like crazy to build the major props but it is the fine details that are left to my doing.  Decorating has been a pain since climbing a ladder is...well, a pain.  When Chris came knocking at the door, I knew that he would not have any qualms about helping.  I asked...he agreed.  We were good.  So, while Son built yet another huge prop, Chris climbed the ladder and poked things exactly where I pointed.  The leg was rested, the work got done and I am a happy camper now.  No, the hunt is not ready but I feel far more at ease that we will complete it in the few days that we have left before folks arrive. As much as I would love to have added weeks before beginning, Mark has to go back to work.  His group will literally be a "trial" run and I hope for the best.  They are all good sports, though, so hopefully, things will be perfect. 

  This year's theme is "Save the Alchemist" and, of course, is set during Medieval Times.  We have narrowed the "rooms" down to an alchemy lab, a blacksmith's shop, a tannery and a candlemaker's shop.  By far my favorite is the alchemy lab.  This alchemist seems to not only be practicing chemistry but has a deepseated desire to be a wizard.  That said, the lab is filled with all sorts of weird and wonderful things.  There are the usual chemistry related items but thrown in for good measure are dozens and dozens of quirky, off-the-wall, out-of-the-ordinary knickknacks.  Chris spent a good bit of time pondering just why this alchemist might have a tea kettle hanging from the ceiling.  I had no answer other than "Why not?"  Works for me!  Perhaps my alchemist is just as eccentric as I am!

  Chris promised to come back and help a few more days before the first run of the clue hunt.  He also volunteered to help with each running.  I am so appreciative!  Now that things are starting to fall into place, I can concentrate on the meal and tablescape!  Fun times will be had on the Bayou come the month of October!

A Little Old Time Technology!

  Occasionally, you just have to throw modern technology out the window and enjoy some good old fashioned methods.   While I have nothing against moving forward, sometimes moving backwards is a step in the right direction.  It gives us a break from everything that is bombarding us from all angles.  This afternoon, my friend came to visit the Bayou again.   The first words out of her mouth were  "Lets go fishing!"   I am always up for this so we headed to the pier with two brand new rods and reels.  Mark was too sweet to think of us by purchasing the new poles and new scoop net.  Of course he had an ulterior motive as we promised to catch a few crabs for him.  I had an idea!  Before we headed to the pier, I grabbed a ball of new, nylon builders' twine, some huge hooks and a few sinkers.  Darlene looked at me a bit strangely but never said a word.  She knows by now that nothing remains the same here and always expects the unexpected.  


  Once on the pier, I rigged the new poles and caught a few little mullet to use as bait.  "Here catch some catfish." I told her.   Once again, she eyed me suspiciously.  "Why?"  I informed her that we needed bait for our hand lines.  She shook her head and took a pole while I set to work on our hand lines.  A couple of minutes later, she had a catfish and I had the lines ready.  I cut a slice from the catfish and hooked it onto one line.  It was tied to one of the posts and tossed over.  This was repeated with three other lines but on the fifth line, she wanted to hook an entire fish so the mangled fish was used as bait.   We continued fishing with the poles but now had five hand lines tied to the posts.  "Just watch the lines and if you see the string move, you will have a bite."

  Nothing happened for the longest time.  Then one line started going out at a rather fast speed for a crab.  She pulled on the line and the unthinkable happened.  Yep, there was a crab but a humongous fish came out of the water and grabbed the bait.  It happened so fast that the fish was gone before we could do anything.  Then about an hour later, it happened again.  Our "crab" hand lines were getting better bites than our poles!  

  Sometime later, we had the brilliant idea to head to the Little Bayou House for a snack.  Mark had gotten a watermelon and that thing was just calling to us!  Before leaving we baited each hand line and made sure they were tightly affixed to the posts.  We figured that if something did bite, it would hook itself and do the work for us.  Our watermelon break took less than twenty minutes but when we returned to the pier, one line was stretched but empty.  three were right where we left them but the fifth had no bait but no hook either!  Something huge had broken that line!  (For those who do not know, builders' twine is nigh on unbreakable!)  She was so disappointed.  We waited for about another ten minutes.  Darkness was settling in around us so up came the lines one by one.  We carefully removed the bait and coiled the lines.  These would be used again.  Darlene picked up the last line and squealed!  "I got him!!!"  I turned in time to see her battling a monster!

  Since the line was a mere fifteen feet long, it took only a few moments before the fish was on the pier.  Uh, oh.  It was a gigantic stingray!  That thing had a four inch barb on its tail!  This was not the fish that had been biting on the lines earlier but at least she got a good pull!  AND we did catch a crab...one crab...but still a crab.  If the fish would have left the bait alone, I am sure many more fat crabs would have been in our bucket but, hey, who cares?  We were having fun with a bit of "new-fangled OLD technology"!  Who needs fishing poles anyway?  

Pizza....Garden Style!

  Once again, my friend sought out the peace that only the Bayou can bring.  "Can I come to the Bayou?  I need a little Bayou Therapy." she said when she called.  Sure, come on over.  All afternoon, we fished and she spilled her feelings.  The Bayou seems to be the ideal place to throw things out there, mull them over and then put them back in a decent order.  

  Long about 6 o'clock in the evening, I felt a hunger pang and decided that fishing needed to cease for a while.  I was hungry!  But...I had forgotten to thaw anything from the freezer.  Well, we would just have to make do with what was on hand.  As we wandered back up the board path from the pier, an idea hit me.  Pizza!  We would make pizza!  Darlene looked a tad confused.  "I thought you can't eat meat.  How are we going to make pizza?"  Easy enough!  We would make a garden pizza!  She looked at me a bit dubiously and shrugged her shoulders.  My friend is not one that experiments in the kitchen much....I do.   So, I grabbed tomatoes, onions, fresh basil and fresh oregano from the garden and set her to work chopping.  After the pizza dough was spread on the pan and lightly baked, I started layering on the veggies and herbs.  "No sauce?" she queried.  Nope.  No sauce.  Once again, I caught her with a puzzled look on her face.  After assuring her that it would be tasty, we added seasoning and loaded on mozzerella cheese!  The pizza was popped back into the oven for about 15 minutes.  Oh, my goodness!  The kitchen started smelling delightful and Darlene's expression started to change from doubtful to eager.

  Once our supper was on the table and we gave thanks, the sampling began.  Yep, that was one tasty pizza!  In fact, we almost did not get a picture of creation!  It was disappearing fast!  Fresh garden style pizza....that is supper!  Yum!  Good friends, good food....doesn't get much better!

Another Alien is in the House!

  Never...I repeat...NEVER leave aliens alone!  Especially when there are two aliens!  Those little green beings multiply.  Several years ago, a tiny lime green alien was found hiding in the corner of the living room.   I had no problem with his presence but, try as I might, my smalltalk did not receive a response.  I merely wanted to find out where he was from and why he decided that my living room was now his domain.  Since I received no satisfactory answers, I merely shrugged the shoulders and left him be.  I must admit that seeing a glowing figure in the corner of the living room was a bit unsettling at first but I sort of grew to like the little guy over time.  His presence soon became natural and I never questioned his existence further.  Then....

  About a year later, another tiny green alien joined the first.  Even though this one was a bit different, I assumed they knew each other and my first friend had sent for his "wife" (if aliens have wives.)  Her head was a bit different shape so I figured that was how to tell male from female.  Her head was slightly heart shaped and he had large green ears(?).  Ok, so now I had two glowing entities in the Little Bayou House. This was beginning to get a bit crowded but, whatever, if my friend was happy, then all was well.  Two tiny beings are not that bad and, well, they are quiet and unobtrusive (except for the glowing and the fact that their eyes are so black.)  I welcomed the newcomer and thought of how lucky I was to be the only household that had a pair of aliens!  Then....

  This morning, I arose before daylight to find that my aliens have been busy!  A third, even tinier, alien had appeared!  I have a family of aliens that have now taken up residence on the window ledge behind the reed blinds.  They seem to cherish the warmth of the morning sun and perhaps even gleam a bit brighter each night because of their basking!   Hopefully, this little family will not expand further and not take up too much room.  I was pondering if I should build them a tiny alien house but, then again, I have no idea what to build and they seem to be doing rather well without one.

  To be honest, I really have no idea how these little plastic, glow-in-the-dark aliens keep appearing.  Every few months, a new one starts glowing at night and I stick it on the window ledge with the others.  I am sure they are leftover toys from when my kids were little but it does seem a tad strange that I suddenly find them again.  It is always in the middle of the night and always when I am up investigating some strange noise.  Bump, Rattle, Bang!  Another alien is in the house!

Therapy or Good Times?

  Once again my good friend, Darlene, visited the Bayou.  She comes to fish, talk and just generally escape from the woes of the world for a while.  Usually, we do more fishing than anything else but there was nary a fish to be found today so after several attempts, we gave up and came back to the Little Bayou House.  I was not sure what we would find to do there but Darlene is not one to sit idle long.  She grabbed a couple of bags of pecans and a large tray.  Even though I protested that she did not have to work at my house, we both sat down to shell the pecans. Several hours later, twenty pounds of pecans were all shelled and ready to be bagged for the freezer. Those added to what we shelled yesterday makes for a nice bundle of nutmeats to use this winter. What a friend I have in this lady!  Although I would have eventually gotten the pecans shelled, the chore went a lot quicker with two pairs of hands and plenty of talk....or should I say singing.  Christmas music filled the house so it was only natural that we sang along with the tunes.  

  There is something relaxing about shelling pecans in the snug Little Bayou House.  Darlene called it "Boredom Therapy" so the task now has a new name.  She is right.  If you think about it, sitting with a good friend long enough to shell that many nuts can be sort of a therapy.  Add a bit of singalong music and the brain just cannot stay in a funk long.  Perhaps that is what is wrong with the world today.  Gone are the days when entire families sat together to shell pecans, snap green beans or shell peas.  What was done, matters not.  It was that time spent together...talking, laughing or (in our case) singing that made things right.  Gone are the "Good Old Days" where friends were dependable, times were happy and family was everything.  

Friends I have not met yet.

  Sometimes the nicest people are friends that you have not met yet. Yep, you read that right..."friends that you have not met yet."   I admit that I stay here on the Bayou and do not have as many acquaintances as other folks but I do consider my handful of friends as true friends or even family.  They are the type who do not say "Is there anything I can do for you?" instead, they just do.  Makes a person feel pretty special.  But, as I said, this is about the nice people who are friends that you have not met yet.  I have those, too.  They, to my way of thinking, are incredible!

  Not too long ago, I was on the receiving end of a fine gift.  A lovely lady sent me a plant in a terracotta pot and decorated for Halloween!  The plant is one she rooted especially for me!  Now, how nice is that?  To be honest, I have met her daughters but not the sweet lady, herself.  Her two daughters have been coming to the Little Bayou House for the past several years to participate in the Annual Clue Hunt on the Bayou.  They, like their mom, are amazingly nice.  This year when they came, the girls brought the plant.  "It is a gift from Mama." 

  Now, the gift was for no specific reason which made it all the more special.  Not many folks will go out of their way to show such kindness.  When I am the recipient of such unexpected kindness, it warms my heart tremendously and makes me want to share the nice act with others.  I need more unmet friends...we all do.

  Perhaps if more people were like Angie, this old world would take on a kinder, gentler persona and be a happier place. She has inspired me. I am going to try each month of the coming year to do one act of kindness or give one small gift to some friend that I have never met.  Maybe this idea will spread to be something that can change hearts.  Thank you, Angie. You have started something that hopefully will brighten the days of others as much as your kindness has mine.  I love my unmet friends!

The Many Faces of Frog

  The small Frog Pond was getting tinier by the day.  We were lacking in rain until a nice thunderstorm dumped a half inch of water on us and filled the little pond a good bit.  With the sloping hill on the side, all of the water was funneled into the pond and raised the level enough to cause the cacophony of froggy calls to fill the night.  I was glad to hear my friends...and I do mean friends.  The frogs of the pond seem to have decided that I am not a threat so they do not even get out of my way when my hike takes me to the pond's edge.  I get tickled at the critters as they sit and stare at me as if to say "Are you going to feed us?"  Nope, I have not taken to feeding the frogs....yet.

  This morning, several dozen frogs could be seen in or near the pond.  I know many more were there unseen. The ferns and other plants give plenty of hiding spots on the edge while water lilies and water hyacinths provide cover within the pond.  Nary a one was skittish!  Mark was even laughing at me as I photographed the frogs.  Each one seemed to pose for me as I pressed the camera just inches away from the critter.  After taking a picture, I would thank the frog by stroking its back.  These critters are just that sweet!

  While most of the frogs that are visible during the day are Bronze Frogs, nighttime brings out dozens of types.  Bullfrogs, Green Tree Frogs, Leopard Frogs, Brown Tree Frogs, Narrowmouthed Frogs and all sorts of toads start their calling.  That Froggy Symphony lulls me to sleep each night as I lay listening to the calls through the open windows. Yep, this is another one of the good things about living on the Bayou.

Life....and a Bowl of Cherries

  The saying "Life is like a bowl of cherries" is sort of misleading.  Life is not like a bowl of cherries in the least.  Cherries are good...always. Unless they are rotten...then they are bad...always.  But Life is not that clear cut.  We are setting ourselves up for a major disappointment if we have it in our heads that everything is always hunky-dory.   (Hunky-dory being a phrase that Mom used to say when things were nigh on perfect or use in jest when things were just the opposite.  As a kid, I could never differentiate between the two uses of the same term.)  In real life, there are days when those cherries are good and bad at the same time and it is up to us to choose which fruit to eat.  Pick out the fresh fruit and all is fine...pick the rotten and we wallow in despair.  

  Today, things were more than just a bowl of cherries even though they were involved.  Late afternoon found me exhausted and things going a bit down the wrong path.  It was just one of those days where it seemed that Murphy's Law was the rule for the day.  I could not find things, four of my jars of jelly did not seal and chairs would not fit through the doorway...just to mention a few of the frustrating things occurring during the day.  About three in the afternoon, I just quit.  I was tired after a sleepless night and did not need this aggravation.  I plopped down in my rocking chair to sit and contemplate just why I was having such a day when I heard a familiar call.  Ahh, my sweet sister-in-law was in the yard.  I yelled through the open windows for her to come on inside.  (Just a Southern thing there...."Come on in and sit a spell!  The door is open!)  Down in the Deep South, yoo-hooing is a common greeting and "sittin' a spell" is done with either a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea depending on the weather.  

  Cynthia made her way inside and handed me a grocery bag.  Inside were the most beautiful cherries!  "These are for you!  You always share everything with anybody that visits, so I brought you something this time."  Aww, my heart forgot all of the fine things that Old Murphy was conjuring all day.  Those cherries brought a smile to my lips and a bit of joy in my heart and even though it was a stifling 90 degrees outside, we had coffee.

  Sometimes life does hand us days that are not to our liking.  It is times like that when we have to make the best of things and not sweat the small stuff.  We pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and carry on.  Then things can change in a heartbeat such as when someone kind offers a bit of pleasant company.  Throw in a bag of fresh cherries and nothing that Old Murphy can throw at you is worth the worry.  Eat the fresh, delicious fruit and do not wallow in rotten thoughts.  Life is good.

The New Little "Bayou" House!

  While we are doing a lot of renovating on the Little Bayou House, the new little Bayou House is not ours.  Several years ago during December, Son found a hollow stump back in the creek and lugged the thing home to me. "Merry Christmas, Mom!" was his only explanation.  None other was needed.  He knew that I would love having the stump as an addition to the garden.  Well, the thing did not make it to the garden as I decided it would be much nicer to have IN the Frog Pond.  There the thing sat for years without much attention.  Every now and again, a frog would venture into the stump but, for the most part, the thing sat there looking pretty with its moss covered bark.  Well, since the bullfrogs have moved into the little pond, things have changed drastically.  Not only have these frogs taken over the pond but they have also laid claim to the stump.  I have to admit that they are rather adorable peering out the little "windows"!

  Speaking of these bullfrogs, I have befriended the big male.  He has lost all fear of me and will not budge an inch when I pester the poor fellow. Today, I was actually able to "pet" the critter as much as a frog can be petted.  Yesterday, just out of curiosity, I tied a small piece of jute cord to a longer thin string.  After fraying the ends of the jute, I swung it out over the lily pads.  Yep, that old frog decided the makeshift bug looked awfully appetizing.  The more I would wiggle that string, the more he would give chase.  He and I had a fine game for about ten minutes.  Yes...I do play with most critters here on the Bayou.

  I am still a bit worried about my tree frogs and toads but Son has offered to help me modify the small "bogs" that we created for the clue hunt last October.  These should suffice as nurseries for the tiny froglets if we can get the adults interested in moving into the area.  I hate to make the bullfrogs vacate their new home if we can find accommodations for the other critters!  That way, everyone will be happy!

Me and my Shadow?

  A lovely pair of friends visited the pier...a dark one and a white one. Since I am not absolutely sure about the identity of the dark one, it is possible that it is a dark phase of the lighter one.  The bill shape makes me think these are Reddish Egrets. These birds can have a morph stage where one is dark while the other is snowy white.  I am thinking this is what is happening here but with the lighting, it is hard to identify the birds.  Also, with only being able to see the back of the darker of the two, I am at a huge disadvantage!  Same type of bird but two different stages?  Who knows but, still, they seem to be best friends.  

  Back a few years ago, a similar pair visited the pier and hung around for quite some time.  I could never get near enough to the birds to identify them either.  Whether this is the same pair, once again, I cannot be certain.  I do know that both pairs have been rather skittish about my presence.  This is unusual as the other egrets and herons have no qualms about even eating from my hand.  Perhaps these birds are migratory and are not true denizens of the Bayou.  This would explain their uneasiness toward humans.

  Each time I have photographed the pairs of birds, I get tickled.  Both are always standing on one leg!  I know this is a common practice among egrets and herons but it seems strange when seeing two remarkably different birds in the same pose.  Had the birds both been facing the same direction, it would have almost been like the darker one was the shadow of the white one.  Or, perhaps, I am just easily amused. Regardless, I am glad the birds came for a visit!

Early Morning Friend!

  Nature never ceases to amaze me.  I am the type person who can see a bird every day and, yet, be just as awed by its beauty the thousandth time as the first.  It is this way with all of nature from the tiniest moss spore to the vastness of the starry night sky but birds hold a special place with me for some reason.  It is not just their outward beauty that attracts me.  They also pique an interest with their intelligence.  I have never met a stupid (or insolent) bird.  Hmmm...to bad I cannot say the same for humans.

  Near the pier, there can usually be found any number of waterfowl or shorebirds.  One of the most interesting birds (and perhaps smartest!) is the Green Heron.  The bird's fishing techniques rivals even the best of human anglers.  And...indeed...they DO fish.  The Green Heron has perfected a fishing technique of using bait to catch larger fish.  It works every time and, more oft than not, the bird can catch a bellyful of fish and still have the bait to eat as dessert!  It is just that smart. The Green Heron is one of the few critters that have mastered the art of tool usage! But with all of that brilliance comes beauty.  The Green Heron usually just looks dark or almost black.  Then, in the perfect light, the back shows a gorgeous iridescent green   The feathers actually shimmer in the sunlight!

   This "winter" (and I use that term loosely here since it is still in the eighties.), a lone Green Heron stands guard at the pier.  In the early morn, the bird can be seen roosting on a dead trunk of a small tree but by sunup, it moves to the small tide pool.  There, the bird will feed on bull minnows and tiny crabs.  I love watching the bird and, here lately, it has no qualms about me being within a few feet of it while it feeds.  It still has not gotten as brave as some of the other herons about letting me hand feed it but perhaps that will come in time.  In the meantime, I shall be happy photographing my friend and being awed by another part of nature here on the Bayou.

Friends of the Feathered Sort

  I have always said that most of my "best" friends are of the critter sort.  I am not sure why I feel more at ease with them but I welcome a visit from them far quicker than I do most people.  It is not that I do not like people, I guess I just do not like all of the whining that comes along with them.  PLUS...critters do not have the gall to come knocking at my door without letting me know ahead of time...people do.  Of course, it would be just as strange to have a critter call me requesting a visit as it would be having one knock at my door.  Still, I do feel a harmony with critters that I do not with people.  That said, I must explain that I could narrow this down a bit further and say that I bond with birds even quicker than with the furry sort of animals.  Don't ask why since I have no answer.  It seems that birds have no fear of me and know that  my presence does not give them reason to be startled.

  Down near the pier, several of the herons have decided that I am indeed "one of them".  They linger nearby as I watch the sunrises or fish.  If, per chance, I throw the net, they realize that they will get their share of my catch so the birds move in closer.  Hand feeding them is not out of the question either but I admit that I do have to watch my fingers as some of them are not too good at aiming!  That bill will just as soon snatch a finger as a minnow.

  This lovely specimen of a heron traipses about the mudflats and shallows as it hunts for its breakfast.  Once in a while, the bird will come near, cock his head to one side and appear to be taking in my every word. (Yes, I do talk to them but have yet to have one converse back other than a few squawks!)  It is probably more in keeping with the possible snack but it is nice to think that at least the bird listens to me and is not here to just whine.  Wishful thinking...huh?  I welcome their visits.

Hungry Little Friend!

  I have just about decided against adopting any new pets...at least for a while.  Agreeably, it is the way to go.  Adopt some poor misfortunate animal that has never enjoyed life and give it peace of mind and a healthy place to live. This ensures you a lifetime (theirs) of pure bliss.  Rescued animals seem appreciative of the love, security of a home and attention that you give them. In return, they stand steadfast in their loyalty, return the love and protect you. (Even cats are protective.)  But, I am just not sure that I am ready at this point in time to make that commitment. We still are owned by two cats and I wish to leave it at that for the time being.

  Still, today, I would have been tempted to feed another critter had it been willing.  I was staring out the window when I spied said critter. Aww, what a cutie!  I had the sudden urge to not only photograph but feed the critter and I knew just what it would like!  I grabbed the camera and scurried down the hill to make friends!  The critter in question?  A possum!  Yep, a possum.  I am partial to the critters only because it seems that no one else feels they are adorable.  No one thinks twice of running over them with their car, of shooing them from the garden or killing them for getting in the garbage.  Me?  I feed them.  Possums are good to have around the place.  They are sort of like nature's garbage men. They clean up the place.  Anything edible is on the menu for a possum.

  The menu today was to be persimmons.  I knew that there were a few persimmons left on the tree but that they would have been difficult for the possum to reach.  The last remaining few were on tiny stems that would not support the weight of the critter.  I wished to snatch a few to feed my new-found friend.  When I reached the spot where the possum was munching a rancid persimmon that had fallen a few days earlier, I spoke softly to it.  I reassured the critter that I meant no harm.  The possum had no idea what I was trying to relate to it so it scampered a few feet from me.  It then attempted to make a slick escape by climbing up an oak tree.  It reached an entire height of two feet then stopped and stared at me.  There was no use in scaring the poor critter so I picked a few fresh persimmons and set them down near the base of the tree. After a few pictures, I eased back up the hill to let the little critter eat in peace.  

  Yep, I think if I adopt another critter any time soon, it will be a wild one. They need to eat as well and with winter breathing down our necks, food may become scarce.  A little tidbit now and again will not hurt and maybe will make life a bit easier for some of my wild friends on the Bayou.  Oh, and all I could think about while befriending the possum was how Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog, would have loved this.  For some strange reason, she adored possums!  Go figure!