Distracted by a Shadow

   There are those who see everything just as it is.  I, on the other hand, have this warped way of viewing things that allows me to see things that are not really there.  I see...things.  Pareidolia is the ability to see shapes or figures in random things but, most of the time, refers to seeing faces.  I do that, too, but the imagination plays enough that I can envision "random things" in shapes...if that makes sense.  All things are viewed as they are not.

  With yet more carpentry work being done on the Little Bayou House, it has become my task to paint each piece of siding before it is installed.  This is because the work is being done on the dormer windows that sit high on a very steep roof.  Son has nixed my climbing around up there to paint so it is being done before installation.  Thankfully, he is doing that part.  It was while painting that I started seeing things!  The sunshine was bright so shadows were being cast on each piece of plywood that was being painted.  One such shadow struck me as being quite lovely.  In fact, it reminded me greatly of some exquisite orchid!  At first, I thought it was merely the sun filtering through the pear leaves but something seemed off.  I needed to find out what was making my shadow orchid!  When I did, I was astounded as the object looked nothing like my imaginary bloom.  Dangling from what used to be my clothesline frame was a short cable that had two clips.  This was used by Son when he was moving some huge timbers to the pier.  The cable was hung on the crossbeam and forgotten until the sun "brought it to light".

  It is fascinating how from nothingness comes beauty.  Light and darkness...shadows upon the blank wall...hauntingly beautiful...time forgotten.  The light may be noticed but shadows are far more intriguing.

Eerie Elegance!

   Being more or less confined (by choice) to the Bayou, I have to find things to do as entertainment.  One can only work so much.  A bit of frivolity is a necessity to keep the mind in good spirits.  Normally during this time of year, I am running hither and thither trying to make the Clue Hunt on the Bayou run smoothly.  To say that I miss it is an understatement.  I feel lost.  So, to compensate, I find things to ease the pain.  

  Since there is no theme of a clue hunt to follow with decorating this year, it occurred to me that I can play with Halloween decorations and do a few fun things that have been rambling about in the brain for some time.  It was time to dust off the cobwebs hidden there and pull a some ideas.  "Hauntingly Beautiful" is becoming a thing for the Little Bayou House.  While the place is not some haunted "mansion", the decorations still can give that illusion.  Decorate with whatever is here, add a few weird and wonderful items and enjoy the results.  

  It seems that the china cabinet is always a starting point for any seasonal decorations done here.  This year, as always, everything was removed, the cabinet dusted and then the fun began.  Whatever struck my fancy was stuck inside!  Black dishes, wedding crystal, a few pumpkins and some beads rounded out the collection.  In the lighted bottom portion of the cabinet, an urn of purple roses demand notice!  (I make it a rule to never use artificial flowers daily but, for Halloween, you just have to have purple roses!) 

  Now that the china cabinet is complete, I can move on to the newly repaired mantel!  Son completed repairing the water damage just in the nick of time!  The Hauntingly Beautiful theme will carry over there and then to the entire house.  It saddens me to think that no one else will see my efforts but, if it saves the sanity of being here alone, then it is worth it!  I shall enjoy living in this eerie elegance for a month!

Hauntingly Beautiful

  Words like "hauntingly beautiful", "chilly", "eerie" were used to describe photographs of the sunrise over the Bayou this morning.  While I am not sure of the chilly or eerie, the hauntingly beautiful pretty much hits the nail on the head.  The sunrise was just that.  I awoke before dawn, made coffee and stepped onto the back porch to enjoy the peace and quiet.  A heavy fog shrouded much of the hillside and thick clouds raced overhead.  Those clouds parted for a moment and gave me a glimpse of the rising sun.  Wow!  It was time to hurry down to the pier.

  Once there, the sunrise did not disappoint.  Between the fog and cloud cover, the brilliance of the sun was reduced a great deal making it look more like a full moon rising on the horizon.  Darkness still lingered even though the sun was rather high over the pines.  Hauntingly beautiful.  I could not have said it better.  Thanks, Ann, for putting the beauty into words.