My "Step" Plant

  The spring has been quite rainy.   We get thunderstorms nigh on every evening which is fine by me because I sleep well during storms.  I figure that my chores for the next day are easier as I do not have to drag the water hose around the gardens to give the plants a drink.  Those clouds do a fine job...better than what I can do.  Besides, there is something soothing about rain on the rooftop and wind that rattles the windows just a wee bit. So, I sleep...soundly and peacefully.  The other night, however, it was particularly rainy, rather windy and lightning was putting on a fantastic show through the south windows I had just settled in with the cat snuggling near me when I heard an odd thud.  Hmm...wonder what that was?  I sat up and strained to hear over the raindrops pelting the roof.  I heard nothing more and almost started to think I imagined the noise.  I looked at Bat, the cat. He stirred a bit then snuggled a little closer.  He did not seem concerned so all must be well.  Bat is pretty good at keeping me informed about what should be investigated and, obviously, a thud was not a threat.  The cat snuggled, the storm raged and I slept.  All was well in the Little Bayou House.

  I was busy canning plums the next morning so did not get to find my "thud".  It was not until two days later, that I discovered the source of the sound.  The wind had knocked down one of the hanging potted plants next to the French doors. The arbor surrounding these doors has a great structure that allows for hanging plants to be draped everywhere!  Well, the wind must have not appreciated the decor because one of the arrowhead plant was now a "step" plant and not a hanging one.  The small chains were broken causing the plant to plop right down on the step.  It looked quite at home there, so  it will stay.  My "step" plant is doing nicely...in fact, it looks much healthier since it fell.  This makes me wonder if perhaps the other five should come tumbling down!

Healing Rains

    The other day, I was surprised by a sudden rain shower.   While in the garden, everything was bright and sunshiny, then a few moments later, I was being drenched.  Raindrops fell with a delightful burst of energy cooling the afternoon heat...but...that sun just kept on shining!  I was caught in the midst of a sun shower.  It felt good.  It felt refreshing.  I felt as happy as the raindrops seemed to be.

  There are a lot of weird little folktales or myths attached to sun showers.  The most commonly heard is that the devil is beating his wife.  That sounds just about right for the devil but why would it be attached to such a lovely sight as the sun shower?  Nope.  Don't like that one.  Another is that a witch is getting married.  Hmmm?  Well, I guess if she wanted to spend the time to conjure up a weather phenomenon just to be crafty on her wedding day, this would suffice but that is purely up to her, I guess.  Then, there is the belief that a sun shower is the harbinger of severe weather to come the next day at the same time of day.  Since we did not receive a bad storm the next day...rain showers...but not severe, that one is discredited, I suppose.  Most of the other tales were all connected to animals getting married...huh...especially fox.  Alrighty, then.  After digging around in the wonderful world of the internet, I finally came across a "good" thing connected to sun showers.  The rains are supposedly healing.  This...I like!

  To be honest, all rains are healing.  The water heals the earth and allows for life to continue.  Without rainfall, all would soon wither and die.  It does not take a phenomenon such as a sun shower to prove this.  There is a scientific explanation, however.  It seems that sun showers occur when a single cloud jumps the gun and moves ahead of the crowd and drops some rain. The angle of the sun is not blocked by the single cloud allowing for a sun shower.  While this is all well and good, it is not as fun as being all magical and stuff!  I think I shall keep with the healing raindrops.

Mistakes Can Be Beautiful

  Most folks do not like to admit to mistakes.  I have no problem with it.  If I do something wrong or the outcome is not perfect,  I will happily say it was my fault.  I figure that mistakes are just learning experiences so looking at it as a lesson learned can make all the difference in the world.  So what?  I goofed.  I admit it.  I will attempt a "redo" and hopefully things will have better results.  There are those who see this as a weakness.  Their way of coping is to blame others or to hide the evidence.  Nope..not me.  

  In photography, there are a lot of opportunities for mistakes but sometimes not many chances for a retake.  This is especially true when photographing nature.  The bird will fly away, the otter will dive beneath the waters or the clouds will shift and the chance for the perfect picture goes with them.  Still, it is better to have tried than to give up and think it is useless to attempt.   The other day gave me the chance to admit a mistake but to find a bit of beauty in that mistake.  I was out trying to photograph the sunrise but there was a misting rain that kept putting water droplets on the camera lens.  At first, I was a bit dismayed that my pictures would all have weird reflections but, then, I gave up trying to dry the lens between shots.  This, my friends, was a mistake as each photo after that had odd little "rainbows" or irises dotted on it.  Nary a pretty sunrise photograph was taken.

  
  Once I had the opportunity to review the pictures that I took, I realized that not keeping the camera lens clean was not a good idea.  Irises everywhere!  However!  Through that mistake came the one chance to have a creation that cannot be replicated if I tried.  My mistake of a wet lens turned into an unusually interesting photograph.  Definitely, it will never win any awards nor will it be lauded as "art" but I find it quite lovely.  It is a good day when a mistake actually makes you smile.  This one does.  I call it a happy accident.

Web Roofs!

  Hiking after a night of rain makes for interesting finds.  The pine needle covered ground is saturated and that muffles the footsteps, the leaves on trees drip with jewels of raindrops and spiderwebs become diamond-encrusted lace.  It is those spiderwebs that tend to draw the eye toward them out of curiosity.  Where is that spider??  Most spiders on the Bayou are friendly enough that they do not cause worry but it is still wise to be careful of their whereabouts.  There is no need to have one climbing up the pants leg or going down the back of the shirt!

  While out on a hike to the back of the property, Mark and I found numerous ground webs.  These spiderwebs are spun on the ground and have a hole in the middle through which the spider can pounce on its prey.  The web is strung between sticks, blades of grass or fallen leaves.  They are thick heavy webs unlike those delicately spun hung webs.  While the spider is usually unseen, if you look carefully, it can be spied lurking near the center hole.  Once prey ventures onto the web, the vibrations alert the spider and it can come scurrying out to catch the critter.  Also, the web provides protection for the spider.  It is sort of a roof over its head!  Not only does it shield the spider from raindrops, it gives the spider a sporting chance of escape if it is attacked.

  The ground was covered with such webs after the rain. Each held up well under the torrential downpour and each spider was happily snug. 

Jewels in Hidden Places

  With all of the rain we have seen this past winter and now this spring, it is no small wonder that mushrooms have taken over the yard.  A lot of the mushrooms are nondescript, drab-colored and, more or less, unnoticeable.  It was one of those that made me stop in my tracks on my early morning hike.  I had already sidestepped a dozen or so clumps of the flat, brown mushrooms when I found one that a squirrel had obviously upended.  That mushroom cap was simply far too interesting to ignore!  So, down on my knees I went...oblivious of the soggy ground left by yesterday's deluge.  

  What caught my eye about the mushroom was simply the raindrops that had collected between the gills of the cap.  The droplets sparkled in the early morning sun and had the appearance of jewels carefully placed between the gills for safe-keeping.  Diamonds can be found in the most unusual of places!  Even if those diamonds were just dewdrops, they are precious.

  Sometimes we have to forget the worries of the world and simply find beauty where it is.  With humans battering our minds and bodies with foolishness that simply does not need to be, it is highly important to take a step back and look at what is good.  It is there.  Life is good.  The world around us is good.  We have to find harmony within our own hearts to be at harmony with the world.  It has to start with each of us...as individuals.  

What I see

  Photography amazes me sometimes.  The images that come from the camera are often so different than what the human eye actually sees. The eye's ability to focus on so much at one time is sort of confusing at times.  If we could focus directly on the object we are viewing and block out the peripheral images perhaps the brain could decipher all that is in front of us.  I was out hiking about the hillside early the other morning and noticed that several trees were in bloom. The alders, bays and hollies all had their tiny blooms spread out in full glory.  Granted this was right after an all night rain and things looked cleansed but the white blossoms really gleamed in the morning sun.  I spent the better part of an hour admiring the handiwork of the Creator.  What a glorious feeling to be viewing this.

  Later that evening, I had a chance to look at the photographs that I had taken.  Some were your everyday, run-of-the-mill pictures of flowers but others demanded deep attention.  I studied the photographs and was in awe at the beauty of the little blooms.  No, my photography skills had not suddenly become professional by any means but several of the pictures astounded me.  The way the camera had picked up the rain droplets still clinging to the flowers fascinated me.  The fact that I could see the veins in the leaves so well impressed me!

  Perhaps the timing was perfect or perhaps the angle of the camera made the difference.  Like I said, I am an amateur.  I do not profess to have much in the way of skill in this territory.  I just love nature and try to preserve what little I can not only in life but in photographs.  I hope that maybe one picture will inspire others to observe their surroundings and appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.  If that happens, all is good.

Mornings, Raindrops and Blueberries

  Have you ever noticed that after a heavy rain, the earth seems so clean and smells so fresh? Torrential rains pounded the hillside for a good twenty-four hours and dumped nigh on six inches of water according to the rain gauge in the garden.  This morning, however, the sun rose bright causing the lingering droplets to glisten like gemstones.  Each leaf, each flower dripped with the glittering jewels.   My footsteps softened by the moist grass, I meandered the gardens.  It is good to be alive.

  This morning's find was blueberry blossoms.  The sweet scent of the blossoms met me even before I was near the bushes.  Even though these are small, first-year bushes, they were loaded with blooms.  I knelt down near the first bush to inspect the flowers and found that the honeybees had beaten me to the gardens this morning.  This was good to see.  The bees had abandoned the old oak tree where they had their hive last year and I had no idea where they had moved.  Hopefully, they found somewhere near as I love having them in the garden.  My blueberries will do much better with the help of the honeybees.

  Blueberries are considered to be one of the healthiest foods we can eat.  They not only taste divine, but the small berries are chock full of nutrients that help with our overall health.  Blueberry consumption can help with everything from cardiovascular well-being to cancer prevention.  Scientists have also discovered that blueberries eaten on a daily basis help maintain and improve cognitive abilities especially in older folks.  So folks, be smart!  Eat those blueberries!  Better yet, plant a few bushes so you can eat fresh ones. There is nothing better than munching a handful right from the bush!

Raindrops and Watermelons

This day started most wonderfully.  I was awakened a little after four this morning by the sound of raindrops on the rooftop!  Ahhh..such a wonderful sound!  We have been in a "semi-drought" as of late.  Not dry enough to be a full-fledged problem but still dry..too dry.  I worried with the upcoming holiday's fireworks as some folks do not use a lot of common sense.  Any time a bit of spark hits dry grass and leaves, there is bound to be devastating consequences.  The Little Bayou House is pretty much surrounded by woods or marsh..both which will burn rapidly when dry.  Now with the all day rain, I can rest a bit easier.  This morning, I laid there listening to the rain.  I knew I needed to hop out of bed before sunrise but I needed just a few moments to relish the delightful sound!  Then..through the rain, I heard the mockingbird..uh, oh!  Time to rise!  My intentions of getting to the fig trees before the birds was almost waylaid by the rain!  Since I like figs more than I mind getting a bit wet, I was out with the birds this morning!

Off and on during the day, the rain showers came.  The moisture and dark clouds made it quite comfortable temperature-wise but it also kept me inside.  Needless to say, I got a bit stir crazy and along about five in the evening, I headed to the pier.  No dark clouds were going to keep me cooped up forever!  It was not long before the rains came a bit too heavy to be outside.  Hurrying up the hill, I just made it inside when I heard Ms. Ezzy sound the alarm that someone was at the door.   Now who else would be outside on a day like this?

My brother was at the door bearing a wonderful surprise!  He had cut a watermelon and brought me half of it! Oh my!  I could hardly wait!  There is nothing better than cold watermelon on a hot day on the Bayou...and this melon was icy!  I decided right then and there that I must have the best brothers in the world!  Who else would brave a storm to bring you something so delightful?

Raindrops and watermelons..two of my favorite things during the summertime!  Both are cool and refreshing!  And if you throw a brother in the mix..things are nigh on perfect!

Invasion! Or...maybe not.....

Our one sunny day was just that...one day!  Last night the rains set in again and have not let up since.  The mostly heavy downpours have left the grounds soggy and the Little Bayou House feeling dank.  At the break of day, Ms. Ez and I again headed down to bail out the boat.  That thing is beginning to be a source of aggravation!  As she sat watching me bail, I though of how I should have trained her to do this job!  What was I thinking?

Although there was a heavy cloud cover and drizzly rain, I did take the camera with me.  One never knows what will wander in to cause a chance for a photograph.  This morning it did not wander in but made an incredible entrance!  The sun tried its best to break through for a few seconds and when it did, I was ready!  Snapping the pictures was the easy part..keeping the raindrops from the camera was not so easy!  I would take a picture, wipe the lens and take another.  The split second of sun was gone before I knew it and the heavy rain ordered the dog and me to make haste for the house!

Once inside, I looked at the pictures and was sort of impressed!  Yes, the sun breaking through the clouds was gorgeous but it was the raindrops that enthralled me!  I have taken photographs before when raindrops had landed on the lens and they looked a lot like round blobs!   Today's pictures showed something a tad more interesting!  Instead of round blobs of water on the lens, hexagonal orbs of light dotted the landscape!  Each six-sided figure contained an intricate design and seemed to be floating in the atmosphere instead of laying flat on the lens.  Had I photographed some ethereal anomaly or merely water droplets?  Whatever created the effect, I was thrilled!  I suppose that sometimes even mistakes can be beautiful!  Orbs?  Water droplets?  Light reflections?  Who knows?  It doesn't matter to me!  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Of Boots, Raindrops, Black Skimmers and Liberty!

I am missing my son and daughter-in-law!  This past weekend, they came for a visit and I enjoyed it so much that I hated for them to leave!  Their visits are always too short and far apart for my liking!  I know this cannot be avoided but that does not help the little twinges of heartache as I watch them drive away.  One evening during this visit, Joanna had slipped off her boots after a trek to the pier.  Come time for us all to retire, she asked if I minded that her boots sat in our living room over night. Of course not!  Later, I pondered that question and thought to myself..those boots can stay at my house all of the time!  Not that I fancy wearing boots..but I know if the boots are here, Joanna and Mark are here!  Yep..those boots can stay right here in the living room!

After the five-minute rain shower this morning, I headed to the gardens.  There my interest was captivated by a tiny lizard creeping on one of the leaves.  The little guy was only about three inches long so he could not have been more than a few days old.  I noticed how thin the lizard seemed to be..almost too thin.  This little guy has had a struggle for survival.  I guess when you are that tiny and on your own, life has to be hard.  I watched as the lizard drank from the droplets of rain that were clinging to the leaf.  He seemed to be appreciative of those tiny pools..that life-giving rain!

Some of my favorite birds have been putting on quite a show as of late.  The Black Skimmers are out every morning and evening scooping up the menhaden that have filled the Bay.  It always thrills me to see these large birds in their graceful flight just inches above the water's surface.  They have a tendency to fly so fast that it is difficult to get a really clear picture so when this shot turned out well, I smiled with a bit of smug satisfaction!

Today, a song brought tears to my eyes.  My sweet niece, Eva Black has released her new CD titled "Liberty".  It is a patriotic collection of songs that includes the National Anthem.  Throughout my many years, I have stood hand-on-heart every time it was played or sung.  I have always been touched but never once have I been so moved as today.  Eva sings it like no other! But as moved as I was by the "Star Spangled Banner", it was not the one that brought the tears.   The the last song on the CD is one written and sung by Eva after a conversation with her little boy, Evan.  In the title song, "Liberty", she explains what true love for our country is..what liberty is and how it is obtained.  Hearing this song and knowing that here is a young mother teaching her son patriotism made me realize that even if the country seems to be in dire straits, there will always be those that will stand to defend it!  God Bless America!  And God Bless Eva for sharing her amazing talents with the world.