There are some wild tales that attach themselves to areas like the Bayou. Some are true. The Bayou has long been the scene of a few unusual events such as plane crashes, gator attacks and "Bayou Critters". The stories behind these are fodder for a different time. Others are purely fictional. These are yarns that abound in the dark corners of the brain and come spilling out the mouth when there is a willing and gullible victim...err...visitor. I have been known to stretch the truth, create illusions or otherwise embellish a story until it suits my needs. Keep in mind, that these tales are purely for entertainment and the listener is always clued in before they leave the Bayou. Storytelling is something that has run in the family for generations so I come by it naturally. Sometimes, however, a good story is just plopped into my lap purely by accident. What makes for a believable tale is an unaltered photograph. That is undeniable TRUTH right there! Fabricating a good story about a picture is simply a matter of a few twists and turns of the imagination.
With Halloween not far from being upon us, my thoughts have turned toward decorations. One of the illusions that has always fascinated me is called "Pepper's Ghost". It is a technique named for John Henry Pepper. By using reflective material, he would create "ghosts". This was used on stage and sideshows way back in the mid 1800s. I have always longed to create my own illusions using the technique but have yet to try. Until now. Now, I have my own "Pepper's Ghost" but just not the one that goes with the name.
A few months back, my son-in-law called with a "huge favor". He asked if I would mind keeping a cat for a few hours. He and my daughter had just adopted another "throwaway cat". Robbie had taken the cat to the vet for its shots and then had to go to work. Of course, the cat could not teach dance with him so I wound up babysitting the kitty. Pepper is a sweet kitten so that was not a problem. What was a problem was trying to get her to sit still long enough for me to photograph her. (I cannot resist a photo opportunity with any critter!) This kitten is rather active and was exploring the house as soon as Robbie left. My trying to catch her image was difficult. The photographs were all "ruined" because she was antsy. Ruined for most folks. Perfect for my imaginative tales.
I figure that I can use my cat photos to my advantage. The wiggling of the kitten made for the perfect "apparition" to be caught on camera! Not many folks can claim to have photographed a ghost! A tale of the ghostly cat has been rattling around in the brain for a few weeks now, so I am sure that some day soon, I shall not be able to hold the tongue and the tale will emerge in its full glory!
Well, folks! It is raining....AGAIN! The rain gauge read five full inches from midnight to 7am. That is a lot of rain! Things are flooded and there is no end in sight. It has rained all day and is predicted to do so for the next couple of days. Then, after a brief respite of one day, the week ahead looks just as wet. All of this rain (and a sore back from cleaning the Frog Pond) kept me inside today. I was just starting to get bored when I received a phone call from my son-in-law. He was at the vet's office with yet another "throwaway" pet that my daughter rescued. Since they use the same vet as we do, he was just minutes away from the Little Bayou House. "I have a huge favor to ask....Can you watch Pepper for me for a few hours while I go to work?" Could I? Yay! I had something to entertain me for the day!
So Pepper came to the Little Bayou House and immediately claimed it as her own. While Ms. Put, the old Bayou Queen, snoozed in the entryway and Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess, insisted on staying out in the rain, the little visitor kept me company. She explored the living room from top to bottom. Every piece of furniture had to be inspected, every inch of floor sniffed and every nook entered. It was not long before she realized that she could walk the window ledge and get between the blinds and pane. At first, she was content to eye the squirrel that lives in the oak tree near the house but when she discovered that her field of view was vastly increased by standing, she was a happy camper! At that height, she could see over the fence. This opened up a whole new world of sights.
Watching the little cat explore did, indeed, make the dreary day a lot brighter. Had Robbie not brought Pepper by for a visit, the day would have been quite dull. It is amazing how our critter friends bring happiness into our lives. Thank you, Robbie, for sharing this precious (albeit curious) cat with me!
