They Are Back!

   As is his habit, Son heads down the lane to the mailbox each afternoon.  Anyone who knows Son will be quick to tell you that he also has a habit of moving about quite silently.  More than once, he has walked up right behind me without my knowing.  It is not that he tries to sneak but, rather, that he learned this type walk as a child and has stuck with it.  He is just not a noisy man!  It is that mode of silent walking and the fact that most wild critters have full trust of him that he gets to view all sorts of wildlife that few others ever do.  

  The other day, he came in from his daily trek down the long lane and asked for my old camera.  That could only mean one of two things.  Either he needed to repair the thing or he found something highly interesting that he wanted to share with me.  It was the latter.  He slipped out the back door and headed back down the lane.  After a few minutes, he came back and handed me the camera.  "Guess who are back?" he asked.  Well, that could have meant any number of critters or even people.  I viewed the photographs he had taken and was happy to see that his new "friends" were three tiny armadillos that were living down the lane under an old truck of my brother's.  Aww, they are back!  Son said that they ran out when he was on the lane but by the time he got back with the camera, they were returning to their den.  I am sure he will see them again as they are curious creatures.

  By saying the armadillos are back simply refers to their choice of a den.  Years ago, my oldest son took photographs of some little armadillos that were (at that time) living under an old car.  My kids were still young enough to want to play with the critters and were elated to find their new "pets".  Yes, I did allow this despite of the many misconceptions of how these animals carry diseases.  I figured then (and now) that people carry more diseases than a critter so it was all good.  I played with them when I was a kid and my kids played with them as youngsters.  Now Son has new friends to entertain him on his daily walk to the mailbox.  Sweet!

The Wind Did It!

   For the past week or so, the lane has been breathtakingly beautiful.  The azaleas have been in full bloom and putting on quite a show!  The heavenly scent made me want to pause with each walk about the place.  These bushes are as full of memories as they are blooms.  Each one was carefully dug from under the existing azaleas from the old homeplace, from aunts' and uncles' places and from any number of neighbors. The bushes are old...from back in the day when plants were shared and not hastily bought.  Everyone shared!  Even folks you did not know were more than happy to "give you a start" if you admired their yard.  Those were the days, folks.  Those were the days when everyone was kind, giving and helpful.  

  Now, however, like the days gone...the azalea blooms are gone.  For the past two days, stiff southeast winds have plagued the poor flowers.  Most are piled in heaps beneath the bushes instead of gleefully hanging on their stems.  A carpet of pink now lines the driveway.  

  These winds are to be around for a few more days so undoubtedly more blooms, leaves and limbs will come tumbling down.  The yard will need cleaning yet again.  Folks, enjoy things while you can...nothing is permanent and will soon become a memory that will rattle around in the dark, cobwebbed corners of the brain.

Azaleas...Not Just A Bush...A Memory!

  The weather is quite perfect....if you are a plant.  The warm, foggy nights keep things at just the right condition for plants to grow and grow they are.  As I was out walking the old dog, Mr. PJ, I came across the one part of the yard that is not cluttered with construction material from our ongoing battle with termite damage.  The lane that leads down to the main road is lined with azalea bushes and these appear to be nearing their peak bloom time.  As we meandered in the midst of the bright blooms, it almost seemed to transport us to some mystical, magical place.  Of course, the entire Bayou is sort of a mystical, magical place but when you throw in a whole slew of azaleas that tower above you head, it is perfectly exhilarating.

  Azaleas are often thought to be strictly a thing found in the Deep South.  Our places are dotted with the bushes or lanes are lined with them.  During the springtime, nigh on every yard has at least one bush and most have dozens or even up to hundreds depending on how old the homestead is.  Interesting thing is that these are mostly nonnative plants!  The azalea was first brought to the United States from Asia around 1830.  Word is that a plantation in South Carolina was the first known place to use the bushes in their landscaping.  From that time on, the popularity spread like wildfire and now the azalea has become synonymous with the Deep South.  Granted there are a few native azaleas but none look much like the showy blooms we now know.  

  Another interesting fact is that most locals are quick to share their plants so there is not a lot of need to "buy" bushes.  If you want some, ask.  Someone will definitely have "a few layered".  Most locals know to throw a brick, log or shovel full of dirt on a low lying branch to root them.  If a need arises, there are plenty to share.   In fact, every bush on the place here has come from an old homestead.  My grandparents and parents gave us some as did several aunts and uncles.  Sharing plants used to be the thing to do when a young couple married and set up household.  It is sad that the custom has almost gone the wayside now.

  My mystical. magical place in the midst of the azaleas brought back many happy memories of the folks who supplied our yard!  The sweet scent of the blooms will definitely draw me back down "Memory Lane" a few more times before the blooming wanes.

The Forgotten Path

Sometimes things are pushed to the back of our minds and there they linger just out of reach of our present thoughts. We know they are there somewhere but it seems that try as we might, the recollection is futile. This begins to be more prevalent as we age..only sort of in reverse. Memories from years ago seem to be far more vivid than where we laid our glasses or car keys just moments before. I read where to improve the memory, we should try to petition new thoughts and ideas into our daily lives. Hmm. That is provocative..new thoughts to revive the old memories? Or could it be the other way around?? Old memories to create new thoughts?? Anyway, today as I was out enjoying the Fall-like weather, I wandered over to what used to be my aunt and uncle's home-site. I love this place. I spent much of my childhood here playing with my cousin. I suppose you could say we were much closer than just cousins, I saw her as my best friend (and still feel just as close even though we are miles apart). As I walked, I came across the place where the driveway led to the house..it was so different ..so overgrown. This forgotten path lured me further..I knew there was nothing at the end but still I could not turn away. Each step I took invoked memories..each memory nurtured anticipation. This went on until I could see beauty in everything. There was a certain beauty about the unkempt surroundings that was almost ethereal. The setting sun cast shadows but also caused the brambles and weeds to glow as if in a spotlight. It was almost mesmerizing the way the sunlight changed the appearance of even the most mundane of things. The giant of the old oak tree loomed overhead while the goldenrod gleamed like torches. The birds chattered announcing my being there to all within earshot but they seemed equally at ease with my presence. The rabbits and squirrels accepted my intrusion with just a mere glance. There was an amazing peace among all beings. With memories of the place flowing freely in my head, I wandered aimlessly about..not wanting to leave. I had become so enthralled with the tranquility of the place that time passed way to quickly. The sun had almost slipped behind the trees before I turned to retreat down the forgotten path. It was dark by the time I reached home but it was as if a light had been turned on deep inside me. Happy memories danced through my mind.. memories of old times that were long forgotten. Memories that are now burned into the mind and are sparking new thoughts and ideas. Ideas of things to come..of memories to be made..all because of this forgotten path. Or could it truly be labeled "Memory Lane"???