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?

Live...Live and be Happy

  I was on the pier watching the herons as they fed this afternoon.  One in particular caught my attention.  The bird was standing on an old post from an abandoned pier and was catching menhaden as they schooled around him.  It was easy pickings for the bird.  Obviously, menhaden are too busy following each other to ever look up at what might attack from above.  The heron's head bobbed up and down continuously all the while the school of little fish swirled below him.  Those goofy things never even made an attempt to leave the area.

  The heron's perch and easy meal made me think of how the injured heron would never be able to do this again.  The broken ankle will not provide the agility to hunt like this.  How sad the bird must be and how great of an adjustment it has made recently.  To change from fending for itself to literally being dependent on the kindness of humans has to be strange for the heron.  It will never have the freedom to do what comes naturally for herons. 

  I guess the point of all this is that we should all appreciate what we are given and not take it for granted.  It only takes a moment to make things be quite different.  Our everyday lives can be set in turmoil and change drastically to a point where we cannot do the things we always assumed we would.  So, that said, make the most of each day even if it is to find a bit of "you" time.  Look for the peace and beauty around you.  It is there waiting to be discovered.  Live.  Live every moment. Enjoy the small things, be happy in yourself and share peace, happiness and love even when you think there is none.  It is there...it is there.  Appreciate it.