Faeries Exist!

   Sometimes I have to wonder about the those who get all up in arms about the beliefs of other folks.  What does it matter?   If I want to believe that the world is a giant snow globe or that there are actually purple snakes that spit darts, what business is it of yours?  To be honest, the snow globe thing was an awfully real dream of mine one time but purple snakes?  That said, if you really stop and think about a lot of things that seem impossible, there is usually a plausible explanation.  I tend to ponder things and can honestly understand how things become believable at times.  Still, it is of no concern of anyone's so if my ideas do not suit you, kindly move along.  Most everything here is for pure enjoyment anyway and not to be touted as evidence of any sort.

 My plausible ponderings of today revolved around tiny beings that are said to inhabit the woods, gardens, bayous or any spot anyone wishes to claim.  Faeries, sprites, elves, whatever you wish to call them, were flitting around in the brain today as I weeded the gardens.  There are those who fully believe that these creatures exist...and who am I to say contrary?  There are a lot of unexplained things on the Bayou so faeries may as well be real here.  These beings are a lot like Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster.  A lot of folks claim to see them but any "photographs" usually just show a blur.  Does it take photographic proof to deem something as real?  Nah.  Some things are just camera shy.  The lack of clear pictures does not dull the interest in the tiny beings of the Bayou, however.  Plus, I have proof!  In photos!  For sure!  Ok, but the photos do sort of explain how some folks may come to have the idea in the first place. 

  While photographing butterflies in the Small Gardens, I found it highly difficult to catch any in flight.  I have a very old camera that does not do well with "action shots" so the wings are skewed and blurry (think Big Foot here).  Still, when looking at the photos, if one sort of squints (or has bad eyesight), the images could be of faeries...maybe?  If nothing else, the photographs lend themselves to be the basis of fantastical tales to amuse small children or easily entertained adults like me. (Also, look at the bottom colorless photo.  If you use the imagination, a faerie appears!  They exist!  Proof! hehe!)

  

  The point is that all of us have beliefs that could possibly be proved false.  We are human.  We are not infallible.  Get over it.  We are not made to be all carbon copies of one another.  That would be boring, to say the least.  So, if my purple snakes, snow globe theory or butterfly faeries are not your thing, I am ok with it.  Just like I am ok with whatever you wish to believe.  Life is too short to fret over others. (You do have to admit that Bayou Faeries and Swamp Nixies are rather intriguing!)

Magical Mornings

  There is magic to be found in just about everything.  Life in itself is magical.  It is my thought that magic is anything that is unexplained or unexpected.  I have learned a long time ago that you cannot go about life fretting what others think as it is up to you to make life magical.  I live that way now.  Each day proves that my idea is correct.

  At daybreak this morning, I ventured out into the gardens.  The air smelled fresh due to the recent rains and the ground was still wet enough to muffle any footsteps.  The pair of cardinals were patiently waiting for breakfast and the frogs were still in the midst of their serenading of the night before.  It seemed to be a perfect morning and that all was right with the world...at least, it is all right in my little paradise.  Just outside the garden gate, the Althea bush had lovely blooms that were opening with the rising sun.  Their bright lavender petals and burgundy centers were absolutely breathtaking.  These blooms have always been special as the bush has "family ties".  It started as a cutting from my grandparent's place.  I eased my way to inspect the blooms and, to my surprise, found a dragonfly wing inside of one blossom.  Well, that was strange!  Of course, there was probably an ordinary explanation but finding the wing placed so perfectly inside the petal made it magical to me.

  Had Aunt Helen been on this stroll with me, she and I would have immediately proclaimed that a faerie had gotten new wings and left the old one as proof of her existence.  Maybe?  When Aunt Helen was alive, she and I could let our imaginations run amok.  Fantastical tales could be woven on a mere find as the one this morning.  

  Folks, sometimes it is important to let go of the worries of the world and find your own magic. It is out there.  Look for it.  Perhaps the "magic" was not in finding a dragonfly wing nor the lovely Althea bloom.  Perhaps it was in being free enough in my own mind to view it as such.  Finding beauty in mundane things is a gift.  Finding magic in everything is, too.

A Handy Stairway?

  On the stroll to the pier this morning, one of the groundsel bushes seemed a bit off.  Several of the main stalks were bare of leaves and had what appeared to be a hefty growth of oyster shells going up the side!   Nope, not oyster shells at all but a type of mushroom.  The shelf mushrooms had formed a virtual "ladder" up the tree trunk as if to give an easy escape from high tide for any faeries that may live under the pier.  I figure that is probably a good thing since we do not want our pier faeries trapped by high water!

  Actually, this is not the best news for the groundsel bush.  When this type of mushroom is seen growing on the main trunk of any tree, it is quite a dire situation for that tree.  These usually only grow on dead or dying trees. Even if they are found on a live tree, somehow that tree has been weakened to the point that it is about to die.  The mushrooms are sort of Mother Nature's cleanup crew as they slowly draw any nutrients they need from the dead tree causing it to decay much faster.  In a weird sort of way, I find that a comforting thought.  At least, the tree did not die in vain.  Life goes on in the form of the mushrooms.

  As I walked passed the small shrub, I reached out and snapped off the tip of the branch.  Yep, the bush had already died.  Happily, the other shrubs seem to be healthy and happy.  They soon will be covered with the groundsel bush beetle larvae and many other insects.  This will cause the birds of the area to go into a feeding frenzy on the bushes.  Marsh life...only for the hardy.