Holiday Visitors....Critter Style!

   I have to admit that this time of year is a favorite.  This is not necessarily due to the hustle and bustle of the holidays (something I could do without and be totally happy) but rather that visitors of the critter sort come to visit.  The Bayou seems to attract ducks like a magnet attracts iron.  Seeing the wild assortment of ducks migrating here never ceases to thrill me to the core.  I am not sure why but they just do.  Perhaps it is because if wildlife is drawn to the area, that means the area is still pure enough for life to continue.  This may not be the case for long with the influx of people that have suddenly converged on the area but, for now, my friends have come...and I am happy to see them.

  On a whim, I quit baking cookies and Mark and I took a hike to the pier.  As soon as I stepped on the first plank, a surprise was noticed.  The Hoodies are here!  A dozen or more Hooded Mergansers were huddled beneath the pier!  I eased my way down the pier trying to step easy and not make the planks sound like thundering xylophone!  The birds still heard me and started gradually swimming out into the open water.  This was when I noticed dozens more to my left!  Oh, my!  The Hoodies brought family and friends!  Last year, we only had perhaps ten but, this year, there were at least twice that many!!

  Not wanting to scare my friends, Mark and I just casually walked to the end of the pier as if we did not even notice the ducks.  They did skitter across the water a bit but soon settled back down just to stare back at us.   Welcome to the Bayou, my friends.  Please feel free to stay as long as you please!  This...this is my type of holiday season!  Critter friends are the best.

"Do-less"

   Mom used to say "My get up and go, got up and went."  She used this term often when she was worn out from the day's work or if she just had "one of those days" where she felt lackadaisical. Another term she would use is "do less" as in,  "I feel so do-less." The term can quite literally be applied to the way I feel lately.  Even though, I love the holidays, I have no inclination to have it come, yet.  It seems as if the holidays "came early" this year.  I am not ready.  Nary a gift has been purchased.  Until today, nary a room has been decorated.  Also, nary a Christmas carol can be heard playing in the Little Bayou House.  I am the Grinch and Scrooge all rolled up in one.  Granted, it has been hard to get in the Christmas Spirit ever since the kids grew up and left the place.  It seems lonely.  What's the use in all the hullabaloo if no one is here to enjoy it.  

  As I said, until today, nary a decoration adorned the place.  I did kick myself in gear (somewhat) and "undecorated" the china cabinets.  It was time since Halloween was still residing there!  After removing the fall-themed items, a decision had to be made of what was to be displayed.  As I was puttering through stuff, I found some odd Christmas-themed plates and knew where I was going!  I love these plates!  There is not enough to call it a set and, in fact, there are two different types.  They are, however, by the same artist, Susan Winget. The work is unique and quirky enough to look right at home in the Little Bayou House!  Both of the types that I have are of a discontinued design and are considered "vintage" (not old...vintage).  I found these in thrift stores on occasion and decided to purchase any that I find.  I love them!  I could easily put out my few dishes and call it quits.  They would suffice as decorations.

  I am sure as I go along, the decorating will get easier and the Christmas Spirit will suddenly surface but at the moment, I am fully satisfied with a few happy dishes in the cabinet.  Perhaps tomorrow will find me decorating the entire Little Bayou House...I can only hope.  For now, however, my get up and go, got up and went.  

That's Using The Brain!

  Since my kids have grown, it seems that their gifts to each other have gotten far more fun.  Toys of some sort are the norm around here even though they are....ahem...adults.  But in all fairness, Christmas morning should be a time of fun.  They should, as we all should, find the kid hidden deep inside.  Let loose of all adultness and be a fun-loving kid once again.  

  My daughter and son-in-law made a (far too) brief visit to eat Christmas dinner with us and open gifts afterward.  Dinner was fine but it was the sibling gift exchange that was the best...at least, for me.  I giggled like I have not giggled in a long time.  It was a fine feeling.  She got her brother some fingertip hands.  These are tiny, vinyl puppet like things that look like human hands but fit each finger.  They were a big hit.  Both immediately donned finger hands and proceeded to unwrap gifts with the odd things.  The giggle fits that ensued were contagious!  He opened several more gifts from her but none were so engaging as the finger puppets.  Then, it was her turn to open his gifts to her.  One present was a mind-controlled drone.  Yep, this was a weird helicopter looking thing that she was to make fly using her brainpower!  It took some practice but all three kids actually got the thing up and flying!

  Even though their visit was far too short, I am elated that my daughter and son-in-law were able to come to the Little Bayou House.  Watching the play, hearing the laughter, seeing the interaction between them and Son did this old lady's heart the world of good.  Santa did come...in the form of my kids.  I am beyond blessed.  

Home for the Holidays...Sort of...

  Several folks came to visit the Little Bayou House this afternoon.  My sweet sister-in-law came first and is always a delight.  She and I can sit back with a mug of hot coffee and spill out any problems that may be bothering us.  The time shared can usually solve the situation and we part ways much happier than before.  Just as she and I were settling in for our chat, a knock was heard at the back door.  Huh?  Not many folks come to the back of the house but, sure enough, there were two of Son's childhood friends standing on the porch.   What a surprise to see two of my "adopted" sons!  These two young men have been coming to the Bayou since they were small lads.  Two generations of folks sat and chatted as if all was right with the world.

  One of these young men is in the air force and has wandered the world with his job.  At one point, he made the statement that "I always like coming home to this house."  Wow.  That "home" bit was pretty strong.  It made me start thinking of how so many of these young folks come back "home" here.  They have told me time and time again that this is where they found stability in their topsy-turvy lives.  The Bayou and Little Bayou House was a place of security for them when they were youngsters and, now, it is a place of happy memories.   

  It seems that my little bit of paradise, is also an idyllic setting in the minds of a lot of folks who have passed through my life.  So many folks have proclaimed that there is something here that brings peace but it never occurred to me that a good many feel that this is their only memory of what a true "home" is like.  Not a house, not a building but a home.  A place where these folks can return and find comfort.  

  As the young men prepared to leave, they both gave huge hugs and one bent over to whisper in this old lady's ear "Thanks, Other Mother, for letting me come home for the holidays."  Tears welled up in my eyes.  "Son, you are always welcome here on the Bayou."  Another hug and the two were off to see their real families.  Wow.  The heartstrings were pulled a bit tighter.  Perhaps there really is something magical about this place.  I feel it.  Others do, too, obviously.

Not Feeling It.

  Ok...so today was "Decorate the Christmas Tree Day".  I have procrastinated long enough about getting the Little Bayou House decorated for the holidays and today was the day that it had to be done.  I had threatened that if it was not at least lighted today, the tree was not going to be decorated at all this year.  For that matter, nothing at the Little Bayou House would be decorated this year.  I am just not feeling it.  Usually, I am enthusiastic for Christmas and all its trappings but since the place will be pretty much empty for the holidays, it is hard to get excited.  Part of the family is off on an island somewhere while another part will be out of state, Mark will be working far up north where ice and snow rule and Son will most likely be house-sitting.  The Little Bayou House will seem mighty large and mighty empty this year.  

  This evening as I sit here pondering the holidays past, I glance over to see the old dog, Mr. PJ, snoozing under the half decorated tree.  Thoughts of how so many things have changed in the past year for the both of us ran through my head.  This will be his first Christmas in several years without little ones squealing over Santa's visit.  He appears to be handling it well...better than I am. ` Dogs have this great way of adapting to situations much easier than we do, it seems. 

  So, the tree is half decorated, boxes of tinsel, lights and garland litter the living room, shopping remains undone and I have not the energy nor the mindset to attend any of it.  I am thinking that Mr. PJ and I will enjoy a scaled down version of the holidays this year.  Perhaps he and I will sit by the fire and reminisce of Christmases past or perhaps Old Santa will see fit to leave the old dog a special treat just for being such a good companion.  Then again, perhaps tomorrow will find me in a frenzy to get everything bedecked in its Christmas finery...who knows.