Friends That Matter

   I am constantly the brunt of many jokes about my preference of being alone.  I stay on the Bayou day in and day out.  I stay for weeks...or months...on end with no desire to go into the outside world.  Most people cannot understand why I have chosen this life but it is perfectly simple.  The "outside world" is full of nosy, inconsiderate people just like those who question my life.  They insist that I "need" friends,  that I "should" go places and that life "is" better as they live it...not as I do.  Still, it is my preference so here I stay.  I go only as necessary and not to fill a void in my life.  That void is not there.  My life is full.

  As for friends, I have plenty!  I have the type that matter.  The ones that stand by me, check on me and do not question my actions.  Of course, they are mostly of the critter sort but they matter!  First, there is Bat, the Bayou Prince Cat, that has proven he would lay his life on the line to defend me.  Once he even attacked cottonmouth just so I would not get bitten.  The snake was within inches of my barefoot when Bat darted across the yard to attack.  He is a protector and confidant!  I would definitely say Bat is the type friend that everyone needs...plus, he gives good snuggles!

 There is the barred owl that waits in the branches of the black gum tree to make sure the gardening is going well.  This beauty stands guard at night to keep the vegetable plots vermin free. Most every morning, I call "Good day!" to it before it glides down into the swamp to snooze away the daylight hours.  In the late afternoon, it silently flies in to take its post among the branches to keep watch.  I bid it "Goodnight" knowing my garden is in good hands.

  The dayshift of garden protection is carried out by friend, bald eagle.  Just about daylight as the owl is readying to retreat to the coolness of the swamp, the eagle comes to relieve it of its duty.  The eagle cocks its head in the oddest way as I call to it.  "Good morning, Friend Eagle!  You are welcome here but leave the cat alone!"  (So far, the eagle has only made one attempt at catching Bat.  The cat, thankfully, was wise enough to dart under the pier.) 

  Other friends include the watersnake in the pond, the black racer under the back steps and the ribbonsnake pair under the herb shelf.  All of these are helpful friends as they keep the smaller varmints at bay.  These are good friends, indeed, and all are welcome to stay.

  So...along with the myriad of other critters around, I have friends...lots of them.  They are unassuming, trustworthy and surely NOT busybodies.  They mind their own business and I do mine.  Let others feel the need to poke and pry...to gossip and fret...to go into rages at the drop of a hat...and be everything that I do not want to be.  I shall stay (as my sister-in-law says) the Hermitess of the Bayou.  I shall continue to do things the "old way", keep being the "Keeper of Weird and Wonderful Things" and always be just who I am whether others agree with it or not. 

 

Suits Me To A "T"

  Sorry, folks, but I am not ready to end that social distancing or self isolation thing just yet.  No, I never feared for my life nor felt that I was going to get some dreaded illness.  I just prefer to be alone and away from all of the drama being stirred up and spread around by "Oh, so wonderful people!"  Sorry...not sorry.  As far as I am concerned, the Bayou is still off-limits.  Since I have had plenty of time to do soul-searching and reevaluating, I find I am much happier!  This blog is enough social interacting for me.  Perhaps I truly am becoming a hermitess...or I am truly just tired of peopling.

  Today as I was out investigating what Tropical Storm Cristobal left behind, I had to laugh when I came across a "T".  It is quite apparent that this was not some accident that the storm created but rather something that was made by human hands.  Why?  I have no idea other than perhaps someone was cleaning and did a bit of a balancing act.  A cutoff chunk of wood was laid neatly across the top of  a stump.  Twined partially around it was some sort of aluminum strip.  The whole thing made me think of a crude monument perhaps akin to stone balancing!  What had I happened upon? 

  This "T" is in the middle of a small clearing on property next to ours.  There is no mysterious tale behind it other than how much it reminds me of me.  Here is a somewhat quirky item out in the middle of nowhere that is fully happy (as happy as a tree stump can be) being by itself. It just fit.  So much so that I wish my "T" was on our property.  Perhaps I should start erecting some bizarre monuments here and there just to confuse anyone traipsing around the place. It could be interesting!

The Dark Path

  Sometimes, it is a bit intimidating to walk down a dark path not knowing what may be lurking in the shadows.  Anything could be there.  Something evil may be waiting to pounce but, then again, something beautiful may be waiting to be discovered.  Facing our own fears can be quite daunting.  It is that unknown the pulls the creep factor up to the highest point and our minds refuse to temper it.  We cling to the sure and safe and rarely go down that dark path.  It is far too scary but. at the same time, our brains remind us of that "something beautiful" and the urge is real.

  I did not sleep well last night.  The body feels like some evil entity is trying to enter.  Thinking that a brisk walk in the night air might help, I headed out far before the sun rose in the east.  Things were dark, a bit creepy and, yes, daunting.  While on the pier, I was fine. Being over the water allows for a good bit of ambient light to surround you.  Plus, the pier gives some semblance of safety since there is only one entry point and anything clomping down those boards is easily heard.  Still, there was that uneasiness that lingered so I headed back up the hill.  Not wanting to go back to the Little Bayou House, my path veered to the right and around the marsh edge until it led to the woods.  Did I dare enter?  The path sure looked dark but I know this place as well as the back of my hand.  Yep.  I might as well push onward.  I might as well face those fears right up front.

 In this time of uncertainty, fear is playing a large factor in people's actions.  It is not fear that is going to get us through this chaos.  Commonsense is the best answer.  When it was put out there to hunker down and isolate from others, it was wise advice.  If everyone would use the logic behind this idea, the virus would soon die out for lack of hosts.  BUT....a lot of folks are lacking in the commonsense area.  Even here.  While I am a pro at this social distancing thing, others are not.  If the virus infects the Little Bayou House, it is because it was brought here not because I was out and about.  I am just going to go down that dark path and hunt for the beauty at the other end.  It is there...regardless of how many monsters I have to battle before finding it.  

  STAY HOME, folks!  Use commonsense!  Be strong.  Fight the urge to mingle because "I am strong and healthy".  Think of others.  If you want to play games with your health...so be it.  Don't inflict it upon everyone else.  Now...that said...pardon me while I become a hermitess for the next couple of weeks and search for something beautiful at the end of that dark path.  Do not come to the Bayou!