Something Other Than A Pretty Face

   I admit that mycology is not my strong point.  In fact, I do not trust my identifying skills of mushrooms any more than I do a cottonmouth in the marsh.  There is just too much that could go wrong.  Oh, I can name a few of the stinkhorns merely by their stench but I leave the others to the experts.  This is probably a throwback to my childhood days when Pop would tell me to never eat a mushroom that I found.  So...I never have eaten a mushroom that I found.  Never.  Now I find that foraging for mushrooms has been and is now a rapidly growing hobby for many folks.  I admire them.  I purely admire those brave, knowledgeable folks.  I stand in awe of those who can confidently identify one from another.  My interest in the fungi is merely from a photographer's standpoint.  They are pretty, interesting and easy targets for the camera.

  I have a friend who is highly interested in learning this fine art.  This beautiful, young lady has taken to studying the mushrooms and even teaching her young daughters which are safe to eat.  So it was a no-brainer for me to ask her the name of a clump of mushrooms that I found growing in the yard.  They were pretty.  They were yellow.  Something ate them...not me.  That was about as far as I got with my idea of what they were.  Amy, on the other hand, told me that they were chanterelles...but "ask an expert before eating them!" she carefully added.  Then, she proceeded to recommend a group on social media that was full of these fine folk.  So...I posted my photo.  Amy was correct and urged me to grab my mushrooms and eat them.  Well, the torrential rains made that an undesirable quest for an old lady but I promised to look for more once there was a break in the weather.  Once collected...I shall try them since all these experts assured me they are, not only safe, but delicious.

  To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised at the genuine niceness of everyone in the mushroom identification group.  They honestly seemed to appreciate my request and, also, showed great interest in my pretty, yellow mushrooms.  Some went so far as to inform me how to prepare them and actually urged me to share more photographs.  That...I can do.  That...is what interests me.  So, I shall continue to photograph the Bayou and share with those who are keen on seeing it.  Thank you, Amy!  You have started something.  Always keep learning, folks.  Always keep learning.

Craft Stash To The Rescue!

  When you hurt your ankle grinding mulch and the following day is supposed to be rather stormy, it is a good time to pull out some crafty type projects that have gotten shoved on to the back shelf.  Since I am supposed to stay off the ankle for the next few days, crocheting seemed to be a grand idea.  That would keep me occupied while the weather rages outdoors.  Bat and I shall snuggle down on the sofa and he can purr while I try to create a fanciful afghan pattern that has been stirring around in the brain for some time now.  We shall see how that works!  Cats and yarn usually do not mix.  Or...rather...they DO MIX and make a huge mess!

  I am one of those people that tend to have enough craft materials on hand to pull me through any situation.  Need a snuggly blanket?  Got the yarn!  Have a blank wall that needs a picture?  Got you covered...paint and canvas!  Need some new bling?  Let me pull the beads, wire and chains!  Most folks tend to think I am a hoarder but I tend to believe I am prepared.  Take this sprained ankle, for instance.  Had I not had my stash of yarn, I would have been hard pressed to sit still.  Plus, it is a sad time to think about needed something AFTER you are hurt!  Going to the store to get anything is a no-go.  Let folks think what they may but I am a happy camper with my craft stash.  It will help me to while away the hours while the ankle heals and the storms rumble through the Bayou.  

Puddle Pond and Rainy Days

   For the past few days, the weather has been perfect for the garden even though it has been not so perfect for outdoor work.  Between the thick fog and drizzly rain, it was pretty miserable being outside for any length of time.  Early this morning, I slipped outside to put out a bit of birdseed for my critter friends,  As I sprinkled the seeds on the ground under the flower benches (hawk protection), I noticed that Puddle Pond was nigh on dry,  Strange considering the rainfall, as of late.  I made a quick dash for the water hose to fill the little pond.  There was no reason to let the recirculating pump struggle so.  As the pond filled, I stood under the arbor pondering the situation.

  The coons definitely play in the little pond and can be found there nightly.  Surely, they did not drink that much!  Another thought is that the deer came to visit last night.  They do come occasionally to check if any seed had been left by the songbirds.  Several deer may drink enough water to run the tiny pond shallow but it was still perplexing.  Then, a thought!  If it was the deer, my cabbages were probably gone! 

  I turned off the hose and meandered to the garden plot.  Nope!  Cabbages were still there!  Everything looked intact so I headed back to my dry spot under the arbor.  The baffling problem of disappearing water had to be muddled over and then fixed.  Puddle Pond needs its water!  The frogs will not be happy with a dry hole in the ground!  And...the rains started again.

Broccoli/Cheese Rolls and Rainy Days!

   Since we are in the midst of a few rainy days, I figured there was nothing better to do than bake.  It relaxes me but, at the same time, makes me feel not so lazy on days like this.  In fact, I have been baking every day for the past week (lots of rain!).  Son sort of sighs when he comes into the kitchen and finds the table filled with baked goods.  At the moment, he is the only one here to eat it all!  Thankfully, it stopped raining enough for me to slip over to my brother's house and unload a huge plate full of goodies.  Brothers are the best!  They never complain about too many baked goods!

  One of Son's favorites is Broccoli/Cheese Rolls. This is a simple treat that I rarely follow a recipe to bake but decided that today, I really needed to write one.  Son helped by photographing my steps so bear with the flour-covered kitchen!  I will post this in Cooking on the Bayou shortly but, as requested, here is my simple recipe!

Broccoli/Cheese Rolls

Basic Yeast Dough Ingredients

2 cups milk

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon dry active yeast

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

5 to 6 cups sifted all purpose flour

Filling Ingredients

4 cups shredded broccoli

4 cups grated cheese (blend of your favorites)

2 cups bacon crumbles

Cajun seasoning (or your favorite seasoning) for sprinkling on top

Directions

In a small saucepan, place the water, milk and butter.  Warm until butter is melted and mixture is at 110 degrees.  Add sugar, salt and yeast.  Gently stir and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.  After the wait time, pour mixture into large mixing bowl and add the flour a small bit at a time.  Mix until blended.  I use a wooden spoon to do this.  Combine until a smooth dough forms and then turn out on a floured board and knead for five minutes.  Place dough into a warm, greased bowl turning once to oil the top of the dough.  Cover with a handtowel, keep warm and let rise for about an hour.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees and grease mini-muffin pans with cooking spray. Set aside.

Cut the dough into four equal parts.  On a floured board or parchment paper, roll out dough shaping it into a 4 to 5 inch wide strip about 18 inches in length. Measurements are approximate so whatever you do is fine.  Generously sprinkle with broccoli (about 1 cup) making sure to leave about one inch of the dough free from filling.  Cover the broccoli with about a cup of cheese.  Add bacon crumbles evenly across the top.  (I omitted the bacon in the rolls pictured at the request of Son)  Roll up the dough starting at the long side. I fold in the side edges to keep the filling from spilling.  Once the "log" is rolled completely, use a dough cutter to slice it in one inch pieces.  Place each individual cut roll into the bake pans cut side up, lightly sprinkle Cajun seasoning on the top of each roll and let rise for about 15 minutes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 14 minutes.  Remove from pan and let cool.  

This makes about 72 mini rolls (bite-size).  

I hope you enjoy these!  They seem to be a big hit with Son and his friends.  The 72 rolls last just one afternoon when several young men are here at the Little Bayou House.  I have to sneak a few before they all disappear!

A Bit Of Red On A Gray Day

  While my mood has not lifted, I am going through the motions of the holidays.  The Little Bayou House is as decorated as it is going to get, hundreds of cookies have been baked and the few gifts wrapped.  It is going to be a very....very....quiet Christmas here on the Bayou this year.  Family members all have other plans so Santa will not be filling stockings at our mantel this year.  Instead, the time may be spent thinking of how to go about improving myself a bit.  I might as well get a jump on those New Year's resolutions!

  The weather, however, is a different story.  Most folks would say differently as we have had a cold, drizzly rain for the past two days.  Personally, it made me feel better.  Hearing the rain pelt the rooftop made me stop and smile at least a dozen times today.  If it could rain every day this week, perhaps my disposition would improve.  No one has ever claimed that I have a "sunny disposition" anyway so I might as well go for it!  Gray suits me fine.

  Early this morning, I braved the drizzle to go check on the small skiff moored at the pier.  There were a few ducks out in the middle of the Bay but none close enough to photograph.  Even my sweet little marsh rail was laying low and could not be found. Perhaps she had taken shelter beneath the heavy marsh mats and was keeping snug.  There was nothing interesting to be found so I made my way back up the pier.  Then!  A bright splash of red made me think of the Season being celebrated.  A small Yaupon tree grows at the foot of the pier and its berries were finally ripe.  The berries were dripping with water droplets from the mist causing them to look as if they were wearing jewels.  I was tempted to snap off a few branches to add to the pine boughs in the entryway but decided against it.  The berries were better suited as food for the cedar waxwings that should be on their way to the Bayou.

  ~As an added note, Yaupon berries are toxic and should not be eaten.  Using the berries as seasonal decorations should be done with care if you have small children or pets in your house.  The berries have a tendency to drop rather quickly and can be a temptation due to their bright hue.  

Tossing and Turning!

  The weather was a bit stormy all day here on the Bayou.  This suited me fine as it kept me inside.  Normally, I do not like being confined to the Little Bayou House but there were baskets of plums that needed to be made into jam.  Once again, Son and I chopped and jammed!  Another three days of this and we should be finished.  The two plum trees were loaded this year and, even though we had to pick the fruit early to prevent the coons from ruining them, we will have more than enough jam to restock the pantry shelves.  

  There was one time when Mark and I slipped out to check the small skiff moored at the end of the pier.  Being stuck inside, I had no idea the severity of the storm that was pounding the Bayou.  My goodness!  This was not unlike a tropical storm!  Waves smashed against the pier and sent water flying over the top.  Our pier, being a bit higher than the others nearby, was still usable.  The others were completely under with the high tide.  The small skiff bounced fiercely with the waves but the moorings were holding fast.  Our normally calm bay was being churned by the winds.

  Mark and I watched the waves for a bit then headed back up the hillside.  We both pondered if this was some sort of harbinger of things to come.  Would this be the year of severe hurricanes?  Would there be many tropical systems hitting the Coast?  Would the Bayou see many storms raking over the marshes?  No one knows but we shall prepare just in case any of the scenarios come true.  In the meantime, those plums are calling me!  Back to work.

Gray is a Good Color

  Well, imagine that.   It was another dreary day here on the Bayou.  Rain threatened to pour down upon us at any given minute and, in fact, did a good job of soaking us several times.   Late this afternoon, a terrific storm pounded the area with high winds, lightning and torrential downpours.  Then it was over and the sun made a feeble attempt to make up for its "no-show" status of the day.  This was nothing new, however, since we have had more than our share of rain for about a year now.

  All of these gray days have a lot of folks complaining.  The drear is just too much for some people to handle.  It is a proven fact that the lack of light can do some mighty strange things to the brain and I suppose that gray skies can be considered a "lack of light"...well, maybe a lack of sunshine anyway.  Those living in darkness can be prone to bouts of depression caused by changes in the brain.  I can remember being told stories by Granddad about how the coalminers back in his time had to be careful if they worked the day shift.  It seems that working with the small carbide lanterns did not provide suitable lighting to help with the mental state of the workers. Then, when they left the mines, there was little time before sunset.  It did not take long before the workers attitudes were not desirable so it became the custom to "swap shifts" periodically.  Granddad had worked the mines as a lad and saw firsthand how this worked.  He stressed to me at an early age how important it was to get a "healthy dose of sunshine" each day.

  Granted having so many cloudy days pales to compare to the hard work and terrible conditions of the coalminers but people are whining about the dark, dreary days.  I, on the other hand, have no problem with the dreary days.  As a matter of fact, I find them inspiring.  The days make me feel creative, imaginative and energetic.  Perhaps this stems from growing up on the farm where rainy days meant a day off from working in the fields or doing other farm chores.   Or maybe my brain is just wired a bit differently than other folks' brains and I need darkness to function properly.  Whatever...I really do like my gray days and rainy nights!  Complaining about the weather never has changed it anyway.  So I might as well enjoy whatever the day brings.

Warm, Crusty Bread...A Little Slice Of Home

  Warm, crusty breads have always been a favorite of mine.  Their texture and taste remind me of the homemade loaves warm from the oven back on the farm.  Then, the thick slices were used to sop up gravy or syrup depending on the meal.  This is a far cry from the fancy-smancy "herbed oils"  (and I am teasing there.  I love the herbed oils!) used for dipping and, guess what...our way tasted better.  What is the point in eating more oils?  Nope...slather a bit of home-churned butter on the slab of bread and dunk it in some fresh made sugarcane syrup and things are right with the world.  Maybe that is what is wrong nowadays, folks have forgotten the down home goodness of things.

  Today was a rainy, rainy day.  There was not much use in trying to escape the confines of the Little Bayou House so my thoughts turned to baking.  Since it had been a while since I made sourdough bread, I figured today would be a good day to experiment.  A crusty seeded bread sounded right nice but nary a recipe could be recalled at the moment.  When that happens, I just start tossing things in the mixing bowl and hope for the best.  

  The sourdough starter was at its prime this morning so things were easy.  A little of this, a little of that and a good bit of resting time and the dough was ready for the oven.  I am pleased to say that it turned out really well.  My expectations were met.  I sat, ate a slice of warm bread and reminisced about times back on the farm.  The only thing lacking was that cane syrup and I think I have a smidgen of that left from a jar my cousin gave to me.  The second slice will definitely taste like home.

  In a few days, I will try to repeat the bread-making process and, this time, write down the recipe.  I have a tendency to plop things in a bowl with no measurements so I cannot pass this recipe on to you just yet.  Hopefully in a few days, I can tweak it to perfection because this is just too good not to share.  Crunchy, crusty on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.  Plus!  It is full of flavor!  Perfect for down home style dipping....or, if it is to your liking...herbed oil dipping.  Whatever suits your taste.

Rainy Days and Fake Windows

  Since it was a nice, drizzly day here on the Bayou, it was the perfect day to be "do-less".  This was a phrase that Mom used whenever she had the "not feeling like accomplishing" attitude which was not often.  It is the same way here but, for the life of me, I just could not find things to do after the daily chores were done.  So, the old dog and I headed to the greenhouse to piddle around doing nothing.  He piled up on his old rug and I sat in the chair pondering anything and everything.  In reality, this was more an escape than an actual desire to be in the greenhouse during the rain.  Still, it was nice...doubly nice because there was no phone, no people, no anything...just me, an old dog intent on sleeping the day away and the clue hunt decoration "Lady DeadMadam".

  As I sat watching the rain, it occurred to me how peaceful it was being shut off from the world for a while.  I could get used to this!  It also occurred to me that I have no ordinary greenhouse.  Son built the thing for me using a bunch of old windows, some discarded bricks and a load of boards.  I. being me, decorated it.  Yep, it is filled with an eclectic bunch of oddities.  One of the things that made it to the greenhouse just did not fit in too well with the Little Bayou House.  The greenhouse, on the other hand, seemed to be the perfect place for a faux stained glass window.  Faux in this case meaning fake glass, fake stained glass and fake quality work.  It is something I did long ago for a elementary school party decoration.  It stayed in the classroom for the remainder of the year and then came back home.  Until the greenhouse was built, the panel stayed hidden in the back of a closet.  Then!  Out it came to adorn the greenhouse window and it looks perfectly at home,  Today, especially, the window looked nice.  

  There is just something about hearing the rain on the rooftop, being with the old dog and knowing the world can do without you for a little while.  A greenhouse is the perfect place to be.

When The Sun Doesn't Come

  What happens when the sun doesn't come?  Of course, it rises in the east just as it does every morning but what happens when it doesn't come out to bring its warmth to the world?  Nope, this is not some deep, theoretical pondering nor is it some "end of the world" threat.  It is merely a question of what am I to do when the sun refuses to brighten the sky in the morning.  This morning was that morning just like so many other mornings of this summer.  This has to be the wettest summer on record for our area.   Truly...the number of rain-free days in the past month could have been counted on one hand and the number for the entire summer probably would not go far beyond counting on both hands.  Rain has been the rule for the entirety of the season.  It is a good thing I love rainy days and rainy nights!  But...what should I do with another rain-filled day.  There are only so many things one can find to do indoors when you are usually an outdoorsy type person.

  After Mr. PJ (the old dog) and I meandered about the hillside in the misting rain, a trip to the pier was in order.  With him back safely in his bed, my job was to clear the pier of any fishing gear and benches as we may be on the receiving end of a tropical storm this week. This chore was completed just as a torrential downpour started so, from that point onward, I was trapped indoors.  So...I clocked!

  My interest in repairing and otherwise restoring antique clocks is something I find fascinating but what do you do with numerous clocks?  Well, I will tell you!  You create a "clock wall"!  Years and years ago, a neighbor of ours took my oldest son into his garage to show him his clock collection.  Mr. Jone's collection fascinated me far more than it did my son.  The clocks were all set to chime one after another so it was a cacophony of chimes (but in a good sort of way.)  Mrs. Jones had insisted that the clocks did all of their tick-tocking out in the garage instead of the house but, to me, the sounds were almost magical. The memory of the clock wall brought smiles as my clocks were hung.  Tick-tock, tick-tock...ahh...sweet!

  Since I have yet to collect enough antique clocks, Son convinced me that it would be ok to include a few modern clocks on my wall.  As he was building shelves for the mantel clocks, I collected whatever timepieces I could find about the house.  There are still a few antique ones that have not been repaired so the newer ones will be replaced eventually.  A portrait of Edgar Allan Poe by Elizabeth and a purple raven sets the wall off nicely, if I do say so myself.

  So...when the sun refuses to come out and play and rain rules the day....do something fun.  Create a bit of whimsy and let the imagination free.  If anybody asks "Why?" merely turn the question on them and ask "Why not?" 

Staying Hydrated

  Pondering the weather's desire to douse us with lots of rain over the past week and its continued wishes to keep doing so for at least another week, I am counting my blessings.  So far, July has not been overly hot (by my standards, at least).  The daily rains and extensive cloud cover have kept things at least down in the low 90s.  That, my friends, is nice and cool here in the Deep South.  Some folks do find the mugginess intolerable but locals are so accustomed to it, that we barely notice.

  The constant rains have had their downsides, however.  One being I forget to stay hydrated.  Drinking water seems to be a moot point when it is pouring from the sky and I am getting drenched with each hike.  Still, it is necessary and I literally have to remind myself.  Another irksome side effect of the nonstop showers is that my yard now closely resembles a rain forest of some sort.  There is no mowing, trimming or straightening in weather like this.  The rose bushes have a mind of their own and their long canes are drooping to the ground on either side of the arbor.  Where these touch the ground, they are sprouting roots.  The jasmine vines and wisteria vines are covering the house, trees and fences.  We managed to rip out one wisteria but the others are acting akin to the dreaded kudzu that has engulfed entire cities in the South!  Then, there are the gardenias and willows that are sprouting roots inches above the ground! 

  One willow is a rooted cutting from a friend. The young lady brought the cutting all the way from her folks' home some fifty miles to the north.  This sapling is still in the pot where I first stuck it.  The young tree rooted well but has not flourished...until now.  A Corkscrew Willow pretty much  loves to have its feet in the water.  As long as the rain keeps filling the pot to several inches above the dirt line, the willow is slap happy.  New roots are sprouting up the small trunk which will give it great stability if I add a bit more soil to the pot.  These willows are notorious about being a bit flimsy during rough weather so any extra roots could come in handy.  

  So, the rains will continue, the plants will grow by leaps and bounds and soon you may not be able to find the Little Bayou House!  I promise it is there...somewhere hidden beneath all of those leaves and vines!  Its a good thing I love rainy days!  This is my kind of weather.

Going Camping!

  Sometimes you just have to pitch a tent and go camping.  When the woes of the world come crashing down upon you, taking a brief respite can be all it takes to get you back on track.  The grandlittles had intentions of taking a swim in the pool this morning but before they could get dressed in swimsuits, I heard the distant rumble of thunder.  Uh oh.  That was not good.  I am one of these folks who respects the weather and all it has to throw at you so the dip in the pool idea came to a screeching halt. Needless to say, the grandlittles were a bit...umm...disappointed at the outcome of their plans.  MawMaw had to think and think fast!  What could divert their attention from the devastation they were facing.  Hmmm??

  I headed to the craft room and pulled some rope, a painter's tarp, a large cardboard tube and a couple of large screw-eyes.  Yep!  We were going camping right in the middle of a thunderstorm!  Mary Ruth trotted herself upstairs to fetch the "guys" as she called them (aka her dad and uncle) and I made plans of how to erect said tent.  "Just throw the rope over the beam, tie a slipknot, pull it tight and measure it.  Then drill a hole here to install a screw-eye.  Slip the tube over the rope and tie off the end in the screw-eye!"  I had it pictured in my head and just knew it would work....the "guys" were not so sure of their mom's tent building nor of her sanity in coming up with the idea in the first place. Erecting a large tent in the living room and camping out sounded to be a bit more trouble than it was worth.

  Come to find out....I was right!  It did work and the kiddos had a blast crawling in and out of their new abode.  Toys from the playroom and about ten thousand balloons were carted in to complete the campsite.  What fun! A couple of scavenger hunts complete with lanterns in the darkened rooms added to the experience!  Needless to say, the grandlittles had a blast pretending in their own tent  especially when PawPaw joined them in the fun. The pool was soon forgotten and the rainy day carried on without a problem.  MawMaw to the rescue!

A Hoppin' Good Day!

  This morning started off with squalls on the horizon.  While Mark told me that "they will pass over", I had this sinking feeling that was not to be the case.  I have learned to never believe him when he utters those words!  There have been far too many times that we have returned soaking wet from fishing trips out on the Bay.  "The cloud will pass over!" is not something I want to hear from him!  I know better!  Water will pour from the sky just minutes after the statement leaves his mouth! Sure enough, those squalls decided to hang around the Bayou for the entire day.  Only quick dashes outside were possible and then were usually to gather tomatoes or rush something out to the compost pile.  

  

  It was on one of those rushed outings that frogs could be spied everywhere!  Those little guys loved the drippy day!  Of course there were the assorted bullfrogs, green frogs and bronze frogs in and around the Frog Pond but I was more excited about the tiny toads and baby green tree frogs that had just morphed from tadpoles.  Most were no bigger than a pea and were so adorable!

  Mark and I found hundreds of baby toads hopping about the yard, dozens and dozens of baby tree frogs on lily pads, and any plant near the pond and lots of adult frogs just lounging about the grass and pond edge.  Am I the only person that loves seeing the yard just hopping mad with frogs of all types?  Probably.  But, hey, at least it brightened a rainy day!

All Snuggly!

  It was another rainy, chilly day here on the Bayou making it one of those days where it is best to stay inside.  I did and I admit that a lot of chores were accomplished!  These chores were things that never seem to get done if the weather is pretty.  It was also one of those days when the critters decide to stay inside as well.  This is usually not a problem as long as they stay in different rooms.  Back when Ms. Ez, the old Bayou Dog was around, I never had to worry which cat stayed with her.  She got along well with both.  It is the two cats that do not seem to tolerate each other's company.  Ms. Put and Ms. Nycto will hiss and howl at each other if they are within spitting distance.  So the Bayou Princess, (Ms. Nycto) stays in the living room while the Bayou Queen (Ms. Put) has free roam of the rest of the house.  Works fine. 

  In one corner of the living room, I have an old workbench from Pop's shed.  I use this as my desk.  Behind it sits my nice comfy chair complete with a fleece throw.  Until today, Ms. Nycto has preferred sleeping on the sofa.  She has always curled up on a soft fleece blanket and snoozed the day away.  Until today....those are the key words here.  Today, the Princess has decided that my chair is her new bed of choice...even when I am sitting in it!  She has no problem being behind my back and, actually, I am benefiting by her presence.  She is warm!  I now have my very own, snuggly heating pad!

  It sure seems to me that cats can make rainy, cold days seem much better.  I am not complaining.

What??????

  With all of the rain of recent days, strange things have been happening on the Bayou.  One in particular sticks out sort of like that proverbial sore thumb.  The other morning saw me up with the birds.  I was having to get outside chores accomplished in between the rainstorms and it seemed that right at daybreak, the weather was clear.  As I stepped outside the front door, I immediately knew something was amiss.  Right there on the board path was a crab.  This was not some small fiddler crab that wandered up from the marsh but rather a nice sized blue crab.  It is not likely that this fellow wandered all the way up the hillside just to pay me a visit!

  As I poked at the poor (dead) crab, I pondered just how in the world that thing wound up practically on my doorstep.  Had some critter thought to share its supper with me?  Perhaps the heron that I nursed back to health decided to repay me.  Maybe a large predator such as a coyote or fox caught the poor, hapless crab and then dropped it when Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog started barking furiously at it.  On the other hand, a large predatory bird such as a hawk could have snatched up the crab and flew over the house.  Maybe the crab reached up and clamped down on the bird's leg causing it to drop its catch.  That catch (the crab) just happened to fall right in the Rose Garden with the impact killing it.  So sad.  Whatever, I now had to deal with a dead crab.

  I still must say that finding a usually water-based crab inside the confines of the garden fence was a bit confusing.  Well, I figured that it deserved to be returned to the Bay so I toted it to the pier and gave it a proper "burial at sea", also known as, chunking it into the water.  Goodbye crab!

Rainy Days and Sailboats

  As the rain poured down upon the rooftop of the Little Bayou House, my fingers were busy, busy.  I had a mission and I was bound and determined to complete it today.  My mission?  I wanted to crochet a baby afghan for my new grandson.  This afghan needed to be finished today so I could get it in the mail by tomorrow.  I am happy to say that I fulfilled this mission!  Late this evening, the afghan is folded neatly awaiting packing and shipping to a mighty special little fellow!

  I had actually started the afghan while in Georgia on "Baby Watch" but since this sweet baby decided to come a few weeks early, the plans to complete it were thrown amiss!  Not once did I have time to pick up the yarn and hook while watching my Sweet Princess.  Sweet Princess is my granddaughter and she was in my charge while her parents were in the midst of baby birthing.  MawMaw and PawPaw were kept on their toes the whole time entertaining this near to be two year old.  She is adorable, sweet, smart....and, oh, did I mention....FAST!  (Never underestimate the speed and ingenuity of a toddler!)  But now, I have had an opportunity to work those fingers into a frenzy!

  The afghan is an ordinary granny square base but I had the notion to crochet an applique for one corner. Since the baby's wardrobe consists of a ton of "boat" related items, I figured that a sailboat would tie in well with the rest.  Problem is, I had never crocheted a boat before.  I gave it a go and after one try...TaDa!..a sailboat adorned the corner of the afghan.   This rainy day did not sink the boat!

Old Dogs and Firm Rules

The weather is still not cooperating with my health!  We have been having quite a bit of heavy rain and just generally messy weather which is something that I would just as soon avoid while being ill.  I just cannot seem to shake this nasty cold.  So while I sprawl out on the sofa or plop myself in the chair next to the window, I can only dream of hiking the hillside.  Ms. Ez dreams of it, also.  This causes her to "run and bark" as she chases some hapless squirrel in her dreams. Thank goodness, I have not reached that stage yet!  It might come soon if something does not break one way or the other.  Either I had better get well or Old Mr. Sun had better shine because "Cabin Fever" is about to take hold of me!

Earlier today, Michael decided he had better go check on the old boat that is moored at the pier.  This is  just a small skiff that Mark uses when catching mullet.  With all of the rain, the boat might be nigh on sinking.  He had gone out the back door but Ms. Ez noticed his every movement.  She looked so dejected seeing him walk down that hill with her being trapped inside.  Aww...poor puppy!  I knew she would return soaking wet and smelling..well..like a wet dog, but I could not stand it.  I flung open the door and told her to have fun!  She bolted out the door and plowed right through the closed gate.  It was a good thing that Mark had forgotten to latch it last night!  Ezzy barreled down the hill to Michael's side!  She was the happiest that I have seen her in days...no..a week!  She raced circles around him!  Each time she passed him, he would reach out and pat her head.  Oh, I can only imagine how much she was loving this!!! I watched as they reached the pier and wondered if she would remember "The Rule" or if her exuberance would cause a momentary lapse in memory.  One of the rules that I strictly enforce is that she walk (not run) BEHIND me on the pier.  More than once, I have been close to being knocked off the pier by an unruly dog!  This was not going to happen with Ez! She and I had worked on her behavior and she even gets miffed if visiting dogs do not follow The Rule! I watched to see her reaction.

Ezzy bounded about twenty feet down on the pier.  She turned and headed back to get in line behind Michael as he stepped up on the planking!  Good dog!   She remembered!  Once they were on the pier, she walked calmly behind him all the way to the boat.  There she waited patiently until he was finished with his chore.  The walk back up the pier was calm and steady!  I was so proud of her!  That lasted just until she was off the planking.  Once he gave her the word, she was off like a rocket! Round and round the yard she raced pausing only long enough to receive that pat on the head!  By the time she came inside, she was panting heavily but seemed to be smiling ear to ear!  Somehow, you just have to love old dogs and their attempts at pleasing everyone!  Good Old Ez...and if I have to be replaced for a few days, I am sure glad it is Michael who will stand in my stead.  He has the patience to love old dogs as much as I do.  (Note.. If you notice in the picture, Michael is indeed wearing shorts, a t-shirt and no shoes. Yes, it is cool and rainy here. This is his standard garb..summer or winter.  Brrr!)

In a jam!

Oh, what a blustery day on the Bayou! And finally we saw some rain!!! The winds have been blowing a steady gale for quite some time now which makes it nice since I keep the windows open. Weather like this is not exactly conducive to working in the garden although I did manage to sneak out and poke a little fertilizer under the tomato plants. I am sure that the rain will do them more good than my feeble attempts at feeding them. There is just something about a nice shower that sends plants into a growth spurt!

With the drippy day outside, I worked inside. Cleaning house is not on my "favorite things to do" list, but occasionally I do go through the motions. A little dusting here, vacuuming there and that is usually sufficient for me! Today, though, my best intentions were thwarted by Hubby's trip to the store. He called me from the produce aisle.."Hey..want some strawberries?" Now that is probably the most preposterous question that anyone could possibly ask me. Do I want strawberries? Ha! "Sure!" I answered enthusiastically. "Great! They are on sale!" Well, I should have known..Hubby, the shopper, can spot a sale on aisle 7 when he enters the parking lot! He has a nose for a bargain! I must say that I was delighted to hear that strawberries would be on the menu today..I love strawberries! A bit later, I heard him at the door. Strawberries! Lots of strawberries! Ummm...a WHOLE LOT OF STRAWBERRIES! Thirty-two quart baskets of strawberries were carted into the kitchen. WOW!

I guess you know where I spent the rest of this rainy, windy day..yep..in the kitchen. Son and I stemmed and washed strawberries. We bagged and froze five gallons of strawberries. Still there were strawberries sitting on my kitchen table. Then..I was in a jam for the rest of the afternoon. After stemming, washing and crushing the remaining berries, I tossed them all in a huge pot and started cooking them. My, oh, my how delicious that smelled! I added the bare minimum of sugar and some of the homemade apple pectin that I made last week. This will be the test of the pectin! I cooked the jam until it was thick and bubbly, ladled it into the sterilized jars and sealed each. My, oh, my how delicious that looked! There was just enough left in the pot (accidentally, I am sure!) for me to have a taste-test! You know that the cook always has to taste-test every thing she makes! My, oh, my how delicious that tasted!!!!

The strawberries have all been frozen, canned or eaten! What a way to spend the afternoon!

Rainy Days!

Eddie Rabbitt once sang a song with the line of "I love a rainy night!" That song should be declared as the theme song for today, this evening and perhaps tomorrow. I, too, love the days and nights when it rains. I love the way it smells.. I love the way it makes everything seem clean ..I love the way I get to do housework. Well, two out of three is not bad! It rained and occasionally stormed today and is doing the same on into the evening. The rain gauge shows that we have had about four inches of rain so far. At times there were some rather high winds .. not strong enough to do any damage, just enough to make it interesting.

Rainy days on the Bayou are more or less quite days as most of the critters lay low and just try to stay as dry as possible. I did see the squirrels and a few songbirds visit the feeders during breaks between storms. They would feed and the scurry or fly back to some sheltered spot to await the next calm. Not even the pelicans were as active today as they have been which seems strange that rain would bother a "water" bird! The gardens are enjoying the watering though even if I am not sure that they needed quite as much as they are getting. The tiny spinach, carrot and beet plants are under water at the moment. The little plants appear to be planted in a swamp rather than a well-tended garden plot.

Things really are starting to get a bit flooded. The creek is swelling out of its banks and pouring into the Bayou. The water is carrying with it a large amount of clay from the roadwork north of here. As it barrels out of the Bayou, it is causing a swirl of orange to creep into the Bay. This will probably mess up any fishing and shrimping for a while as the fresh water runoff will cause the saltwater fish to move back into the Gulf. Hehe..I guess the old saying "It never rains but what it pours!" is applicable here and now! Still, with all of this I do love the rain. It makes me happy to be in our livingroom during rainstorms, since in there I can hear the rain pelt the rooftop. This room also has windows that look out over the Bay and the Bayou so I do get a wonderful view of any approaching storms. It is interesting to watch as the storms move across the Bay, the sheets of rain blocks out all but the nearest objects. I almost begin to feel isolated from the rest of the world. I love rainy days and nights!