I guess I am just tired. It seems as if this week has contained more attempts at wearing on my last nerve than the entire year. From losing the sweet old dog to being treated rudely, things started to pile up until the "ugly" was peeping close to the surface. At times like this, it is a struggle to keep the head level and mind gentle. "Speak softly, lady, speak softly" is a constant reminder flitting through my brain.
This morning, yet another thing irked me. This time it was not something that I can control other than to "clean up the mess". While Mark was motoring out from the pier in the small skiff, I noticed several bits of trash in the mud. The tide was low so everything was exposed. I am used to picking up the occasional beer can or water bottle. Those are bad enough as they create a total mess on our beautiful shoreline but, this morning, the trash was actually a danger. Someone had obviously discarded large beer bottle. This bottle had become broken (either before being tossed or after..who knows?) and could have caused a wicked injury to anyone swimming, throwing the net or cleaning up the mess, as I do. I was careful not to be cut by the jagged glass. A cut would have been painful but with the bacteria still lingering in our waters, a simple nick could be life-threatening.
I realize there are those who will find my dismay trivial and, like I said earlier, I guess I am just tired, but the fact that people throw their garbage in the very waters that are enjoyed around here really irks me. It brings to mind that adage...Only trash litter. Yep, only trashy people think to dispose of their garbage by littering up the place, however, when it comes to putting others in immediate danger (as this broken glass does), it is downright hateful! So, my day began with a bit of irritation. Once again, the speak softly refrain echoed among the cobwebs in the dusty corners of my mind. Speak softly.
I have written several times about the Yaupon berries that are decorating the Bayou this year. It seems to have been a good year for most fruits even those that are not considered edible to humans. The Yaupons fall in that category...nonedible for humans. Birds, however, love them. So much so that in a few weeks, nary a berry will be found on the shrubs. That said, this is not so much about the berries...edible or not..but rather about the sunshine that made the berries bright and beautiful this morning.
After days of torrential rains (perhaps up to ten inches according to my gauges), the sun looked mighty good to most everyone...me included even though I am one that loves a good storm. After moping about the house doing drudgery, I was delighted to be able to tromp around on the wet leaves. A soggy day outside is far better than a week of housework..ANYTIME!
Mark and I started out with the usual trek to the pier then slipped around the back of the Bayou to check for the ill-fated loon with the fishing lure embedded in its bill. My gut feeling is that the poor bird has suffered greatly and probably has met its demise due to some irresponsible fisherman. Treble hooks are nothing but trouble which makes me abhor the things. With the sadness welling up in me over the fate of the poor bird, finding the bright berries helped to lighten the mood. A single ray of sunshine beamed down through the tree branches to spotlight the thick cluster of berries. They glowed like little beacons in the dismal, soggy leaves. Sometimes it takes nothing more than a thing of beauty to convince one that the world is still a good place to be and that the Bayou is the best place to be. Blessings abound here.
