The "Caring Stones"

   What started as a way of sort of keeping track of the good things that happen has now escalated into an idea of keeping track of caring.  A while back I started collecting pink stones thinking that it may be a happy, little thing to do privately.  I would keep the stones in the birdbath simply because the water kept them shiny and pretty.  Eventually, the stones became a simple gift to visitors who came to the Bayou to "de-stress".  Problems were mulled over and usually just knowing someone cared meant the world of difference.  The tiny pebble was given as a token of that sincere hope that things would be better.  "Keep it in your pocket and, if times get tough, reach in and hold the stone.  You will immediately know that someone cares."  I do care.  Over the years, I have slipped many such pebbles into the hands of troubled visitors.  Many have returned to say it helped.  My heart is happy.

  Now, the habit of collecting pretty stones (not just pink) has grown to be quite large.  My pretty pebbles are still in the birdbath but, not only do they sit there waiting for someone, they each are placed with the idea of a reminder to pray, think and otherwise care about folks.  If someone needs something special, a stone is a reminder.  It is all good.  When I head to the Small Gardens, invariably, I stop at the birdbath and "count my blessings" and think of those in need.  Not that this replaces any prayers but is there to jog the idea that caring is always a good thing.

  There are no special "powers" attached to the pebbles and they are not monetarily valuable.  They are, however, priceless if these stones can remind someone that life, although hard sometimes, is good.  A dear friend (who is as close as a sister to me) dubbed the pebbles as "Caring Stones" which I think is as beautiful as it gets!  As I said before, "Pebbles or diamonds...sometimes, one is as good as the other."  Smile, folks.  Be kind to each other.  Be the kind of friend you wish you had.  Care...simply care for one another.

Terror Looming Beyond the Bayou

  After a couple of days of unusual weather, we seem to be on track to getting back to normal.  While the worst of the stuff stayed north of the Bayou, we did experience a good bit of strong winds.  We were blessed that was the extent of our woes.  

  While out on the pier checking the little skiff, I noticed that somewhere nearby was still obviously "under the gun".  It was not even noon and dark clouds loomed over the pines and black gum trees to the northeast. This gave an ominous feeling even though the sun was shining behind me to the south.  Something just did not feel right.   I was right.  Something was not right.  In fact, something was wrong...very, very wrong.  

  After returning to the Little Bayou House, I received word that right where it seemed those dark clouds hung, a friend's grandson was missing.  Hours had passed with no word from the youngster. He was supposed to be staying with a friend and his folks thought all was well. Not so.  Even thought I do not know the full story behind his disappearance, I can only imagine the terror that his entire family endured.  Hours upon hours passed without word of his whereabouts. No answers on his phone, no word from his friends, no call home.  A 13 year old child was missing.  Terrifying.  Heartbreaking.  Sickening.  With nothing else I could do, I prayed.

  Later, as the day was coming to a close, I noticed that the sky had lightened in the east.  At that same time, I received word that the young lad had been found and was safe at home with his family.  It seems that it was all a misunderstanding somewhere down the line but the gut wrenching experience for my friend was very real. It is every parent's and grandparent's nightmare.  

  Parents...hug your kids this evening and let them know you love them.  At the same time, instill in them the need to keep in touch with you throughout their time away from you.  Be insistent that they call you. Get to know their friends.  Get to know their friends' parents.  Be the parent that cares,  Keep on their case about who, what, where, when. Set rules. Make them abide by the rules or face the consequences.  Yes, it is tough to be a strict parent but knowing the heartache that comes otherwise, it is well worth it.  

  While this incident was resolved in the best way possible, it could have been far worse.  Tonight, I will pray that no parent ever has to experience what my friend did today.  I can only imagine...I can only imagine.  

So That's Why!

  I am one of those weird people that ponder the most unusual things. Things like why did someone ever give a critter a name like "elephant" or "mouse" or "butterfly"?  What possessed the early folks to call a frog by the name "frog" or owl by the name "owl"?  There has to be some logical reason.  Sure, most of those are common names and the critter has some unpronounceable scientific name but why?  What gives? Sometimes there is a bit of logic, I guess...be it an appearance or action that dictated the name but others are just pure made up words.  Case in point.."aardvark" or "platypus".  Yep, I think those are there just to confuse us.  The name for today's critter is easily explained and you will see why in the photographs!

  Out on the back porch, there sits a small table and two chairs.  Mark had used these, today, as he boiled a bunch of crabs.  Obviously, he left a bit of "crab smell" on the tray and table afterwards because flies were quickly gathering.  I was just about to snatch the tray and give it a good scrubbing when I was halted in my tracks.  It is not good to disturb anyone in the midst of prayers.  A Praying Mantis was also on the tray and appeared to be praying for (or giving thanks for) its next meal.  As I watched, the little mantis actually tilted its head skyward and appeared fully to be praying.  At that exact moment, a fat fly landed on the tray next to the mantis!  Had God answered a bug's prayer?  Hey, why not? God made the bugs so who says they cannot pray to him?

  The Praying Mantis does appear to be praying with its "hands" folded in front of it but that action of looking skyward did, indeed, make it appear that the bug believed in some higher power.  Perhaps the mantis could teach humans a thing or two about being thankful.  It seems as if a lot of us have let that go the wayside.