Dancing on the Wind

  I know that I am under doctor's orders to not venture too far from the house for a few more days unless I am accompanied by another person.  He said "normally" he would not have to restrict a patient but since I am prone to roam in the marsh and far down to the creek bed, he was limiting my hikes.  I am following what he said and I am diligently pestering Son to take hikes with me.  He usually obliges if he is not in the midst of some job that cannot be halted on a whim.  Today, the hikes were halted due to rain.  I have the Son, I have the will, I have rain...no hikes. 

  Along about mid-afternoon, I became insanely bored.  There was just a slight drizzle so I, as "Queen of the Small Gardens" made my escape!  I slipped out the french doors and quietly stepped under the awning.  A lot had changed in just a day.  I will say this about being housebound, I do notice minute changes in my outer realm.  I stand in awe of a simple bloom or a tiny caterpillar.  In a way, this is how it is supposed to be.  Folks, do not let it take some earth-shaking thing to make you appreciate what is around you.  Life is truly amazing.  

  The tall lilies were bobbing their heads in the breeze coming across the Bay.  Any storm out in the middle of the Gulf sends us the most delightful breezes!  Wow!  Those lilies were tall!  In fact, most were well over six feet, if not more!  Most were wavering in the wind but a few were tied with jasmine vines  so they stood rigid like some tall obelisks.  I watched for a few moments before yet another rain shower chased me back inside.  It mattered not.  I had ventured out and felt the salt air on my face, had raindrops in my hair and watched the lilies dance in the breeze.  What more could you ask?

I'm Late!

  Earlier today, I was out sitting by the little Frog Pond when a sudden blip of red crossed over my shoe.  When I looked, nothing was there.  Well, now!  Am I seeing things?  Perhaps I had been in the sun a bit too long.  My time outdoors has been limited for some time now but surely a half hour of sunshine is good for healing.  I looked again.  Nope.  Nothing.  What was that?

  A few moments later, another flash of red but this time, it was under the plum tree.  Aha!  I know what you are and I am elated to see you in the small gardens!  A Cow Killer Ant or Velvet Ant was making her rounds in the gardens.  Scurrying, scurrying!  I had to giggle!  Ok, Mrs. Velvet Ant, you remind me of a certain story rabbit.  "I'm late, I'm late!  For a very important date!  No time to say hello, goodbye, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!"  The Disney version of "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll started playing itself out in my memory.  My little Velvet Ant was doing a good job portraying the White Rabbit's hurried antics.

  I find that I am delving into memories and fantasies on a greater basis as I have this extra time on my hands.  With everything pulled out from under me, I have to resort to something to keep the mind occupied.  Going from the full days (4 am to 5 pm) of hard work landscaping the place to full days of zilch, is mind-boggling to say the least.  I am bored.  There is at least one more week...maybe more depending on my progress...of this idleness.  I am limited to "light-duty" jobs like picking the scuppernongs or making jelly.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the ability to do what I am allowed but that does not make it any less boring for someone who is normally as busy as a bee...or wasp, in today's case.

  Yes, the Velvet Ant or Cow Killer Ant is actually the female of a type of wasp.  She has no wings and greatly resembles a huge, furry ant.  The male actually looks just like what we know as a wasp.  He is more docile but she is as busy as a bee!  Scurrying, scurrying!  I'm late!  I'm late!!!  I'm late!! ...While I sit...bored.

Mutant Lilies!

  With all that this year has thrown at us, mutant lilies just add a bit more interest.  At least lilies are of the friendly sort and don't put us in quarantine or make us run out to buy tons of toilet tissue.  Lilies just sit there and look pretty and bring smiles to those of us who are fortunate enough to find them during our daily walks.  As (self-crowned) Queen of the Small Gardens, I have deemed this lily as "Find of the Day" and it shall be exalted as the Crown Jewel of the Small Gardens!  For as long as it blooms, the lily shall be honored with great oohs and ahhs by all who venture forth through the garden gate!  So be it!  The Queen has spoken!

  Yeah, I am still grounded.  And I am still bored.  Honestly, I thought by this time, I would be roaming the full Bayou again but that has been pushed back by at least another week.  Maybe more.  We shall see.  But!  But as long as the garden keeps providing such beauty for me to revel in, who cares?  I could dwell in the Small Gardens forever.  

  This particular lily is the same type as dozens of others that growing wild across the hillside.  They come up and grow where they will as I have no heart to mow them.  All of the others are of normal height (4 feet) and have normal numbers of blooms (5 to 8).  I believe this one is showing a bit of gratitude for my helping hand.  When Tropical Storm Cristobal blew through the area, it knocked the lily stalk to the ground.  It was wind battered and mud covered by the time I found it.  I propped it up against the gatepost and found twine to tie it. That post proved sturdy enough but not nearly tall enough as the lily got a growth spurt.  A long pipe secured to the post gave needed support.  The lily soon soared to over 8 feet tall!  Now it is blooming with much gusto. Thirteen blooms are open and at least fourteen more buds are ready.  The whole thing is about the size of a bushel basket!  A little help can go a long way, obviously.  Either that or the Bayou is being invaded by mutant lilies!

It Only Takes A Moment

  My realm is still limited to the small gardens but, hopefully, that will soon change.  My strength is returning by leaps and bounds which means that my limitations will be exiting by leaps and bounds soon.  I have had enough!  It is time to roam the Bayou again and find my critter friends.  I am sure they have pondered my absence and may have missed me just a wee bit.  I know I have missed them enormously!  

  This morning, one of my favorite bayou friends sat patiently on a pier post.  It was quite clear that he wanted breakfast.  Moe, the heron, has been coming for almost two years to eat small mullet and menhaden that I catch in the net.  The bird has become tame enough to take fish from my hand.  That bond means the world to me and not being able to share time with the bird weighs heavy.  I NEED to be back on that pier!  Moe, I promise it won't be long!  For now, however, I have to be happy with a long-distance photograph!  

  It is funny how we take things for granted when times are good.  A simple walk, going fishing, even viewing the sunrise seem commonplace things that we are assured to always have.  Sometimes, life has other plans and things go awry.  Folks, be happy in what you have.  Be appreciative of every step you take, every sight you see, every sound you hear.  Things can change in an instance and then you long for your "humdrum", everyday life.  Just be thankful. 

Faerie Tale In The Making!

  This morning as the Queen of the Small Gardens was exploring her vast realm, a single fluffy feather floated down to land at her feet.  Caught by surprise, she stopped to stare.  She searched for any sign of a bird overhead but found none.  At that point, the Queen gently picked up the feather and felt its softness.  Turning the feather over in her hand, she examined the fine markings.  Then, she decided that the feather was from her old friend, Owl of the Woods.  Owl of the Woods often comes to the Queen's gardens to offer his protection from the rodents that raided the fruit and vegetables grown there.  The Queen of the Small Gardens was thankful for the gesture and vowed to always allow her friend the freedom to come and go as he pleases.

 Ok, so enough fantasizing for the day.  Yes, a soft, brown feather did float from the sky to land at my feet and I am quite sure it came from an owl that visits nightly.  In fact, had I been looking in the treetops instead of at the ground, I probably would have seen the owl take flight as it headed back to the creek area.  There are several owls that come to the yard to snatch the mice and rice rats that raid the garden for their supper.  I consider all of the birds of prey as my friends as they do a huge favor in keeping the garden pest free.

  There is some symbolism surrounding the finding of feathers.  Most folks are familiar with the lore around a white feather as it is called an "Angel feather".  Many claim that the white feather is a message from a relative from the beyond.  Someone who has passed is sending support, love or good wishes.  It is a nice thought and brings comfort to those missing someone dear.  My brown feather also has such a lore behind it.  Finding a brown feather relates to home, roots and grounding.  Perhaps there is an unsettled feeling within the home and family and there is a need for peace.  Perhaps stress is weighing heavy and needs to be relieved.  Perhaps illness has fallen on a family member and encouragement is sought.  Whatever the case, finding a brown feather offers peace, comfort and love.  I will take it!

  I did want to point out the structure of the brown feather and why I tentatively identified it as from an owl.  The soft "fluff" that covers most of the shaft allows owls to fly almost silently.  This stealth is needed in their search for prey.  When an owl takes flight, there is very little sound to alert rodents.  A whisper on the wind describes their stealth rather well.  A whisper on the wind...Owl of the Woods...Queen of the Small Gardens...sounds like a faerie tale in the making!  I should work on that with my overload of time for the duration of my limitations.

Gimme Breakfast!

  Since my early mornings are limited to the garden area until I get the ok to venture further, I have discovered a whole new pastime.  I watch who comes to the bird feeder.  The feeder is not actually your normal, cutesy bought feeder but an overturned glass tabletop set atop of an old wicker end table.  It works, in a fashion, and the birds do not seem to mind.  They only fret over the quantity of seed and the pillaging squirrels.  In fact, the birds will start to call if I am ten minutes late in filling the tray.  

  One of the earliest visitors is a male red-winged blackbird.  This handsome fellow will perch himself on a fence post or a low branch and screech until the seed is poured.  If I do not move quickly enough, he gives me a good fussing.  I am assuming this is the new "boss" of the blackbird world as the others will linger on their branches until he has eaten his fill.  Then, they come to dine. 

  This is not the Old General that has been here for years.  This is the New General.  The change of command took place this spring.  I was truly sorry to see that my old friend was no longer with us as he and I became quite close friends.  The bird was rather tame and, as a commander, was always fair.  The New General is still a bit leery and is ruling with severity.   Perhaps he will mellow once the others cede to his powers but, for now, he still has to declare his leadership occasionally.  There have been a few spats among the birds for territory but, as it always does, it will work out to be satisfactory on all parts.  For now, I shall be happy with having him as my first morning visitor.