Bat Shenanigans!

   Mr. Bat, the Bayou Cat, is one of the most curious cats that has ever lived at the Little Bayou House.  He is also one of the most daring.  He climbs everything but, unlike most cats, he climbs down like a squirrel.  Cats usually will back down a tree.  Bat, on the other hand, runs down the trunk head first.  So far, he has been successful in his attempts but I am waiting for the day when he gets himself in a predicament and needs to be rescued.  He almost did that today.

  I was out meandering the hillside when I noticed Bat run up the arbor post.  He was sitting about 12ft high on the post when he thought it would be great fun to squirm around in the grapevines.  So, he wormed his way this way and that through the great web of vines.  By the time he made it to the far post, he had almost become completely snared!  Hmmm...I thought this may be the time that he was going to need rescuing.  I watched as he pushed at the vines and pulled at the vines.  He bit the vines.  He clawed at the vines.  Then...he made a smart decision.  Slowly he turned and went back in the direction from which he came.  He followed his "tunnel" back to the starting point and ran down the post to greet me.

  The silly cat has no fear!  I have found him in the tiptop of an oak tree, on the peak of the shed roof and on the end of the pier.  His shenanigans are going to get the best of him one day.

Tangled Vines Are The Perfect Protection

  Again today, I worked in the yard.  There is so much to be done and, well, to paraphrase an old saying "If you want something done, you have to do it yourself."  (Notice that I left "right" out of the statement because I am not sure I am doing everything correctly but, at least, it is getting done.)  Today's chore was digging out the gravel drain that runs alongside of the house.  The torrential rains we get here wash huge ruts in the ground if something is not done.  We dug a trench, lined it with pond liner and filled it with gravel.  It worked great for years but, over time, it has become clogged with leaves and dirt.  The gravel all washed down into the center leaving a mound instead of a gully.  My job was to clear the debris and shovel out the gravel.  It had to be washed and put back in place.  I found out that an old lady has no business shoveling gravel all day!  Needless to say, I am sore tonight but happy that the job is completed.

  While out, I noticed a beautiful male cardinal on the grape arbor.  Since all of the other arbors have been removed, this was his only choice of a protected roosting spot.  The vines completely framed the bird.  I first noticed him when I filled the burn bin with garden trash, then, each time I went around to that side of the house, the bird was still there.  I pondered this fact...since shoveling does not take a lot of brain power.  Late in the afternoon, the bird was still on the arbor.  Hmmm...that bird is not waiting for the feeder to be filled (it already was), he was "on watch".  Could it be that his ladylove was already nesting?  It is far too early for little birds but with the weather as crazy as it is, anything is possible.  

  Just before heading back inside for the day, I eased my way to the arbor.  The bird scooted a bit further under the vines but stayed put.  Aha!  I know the telltale signs of a dutiful father and husband! Mr. Cardinal, you are the best!  Although I could not find Mrs. Cardinal, I feel she is quite near the arbor if not on it.  I did not want to appear to be too nosy so I let our beautiful friends enjoy the afternoon.  I did, however, notice the bald eagle fly over with several large sticks in his talons.  Spring is in the air...obviously!