Stuck at Midnight

   For the past two years, I have been sort of in a "self-isolation" due to the pandemic.  At the cardiologist's "strong" advice, I quarantined myself to the Little Bayou House, Small Gardens and the area surrounding the Bayou.  I keep telling myself it is for my own good.  I do not go anywhere that is not absolutely necessary (aka appointments with that same cardiologist).  And, to top it off, the place, itself, has been off-limits to any visitors...those vaccinated and those not.  (People still cannot get it through their heads that the vaccine does not keep them from spreading the virus.  For that matter, it does not keep them from getting it, either.)  What is surprising is just how quickly others forget you when you have been removed from society.  No calls, letters or even merry waves from anyone.  As long as you are able to do for others, everything is fine and dandy but, when that comes to a halt, the "caring" does, too.

  All of this came to light in my dull brain when I was setting the dozens of antique clocks due to the time change.  In the midst of all of the keywind clocks there sits one battery operated thing.  It does not work.  It is stuck at 12 o'clock.  The chimes do not work, the hands do not move...only that pendulum keeps swinging along at its steady pace.  I only keep the clock as a project piece as I intend to alter it come this winter when chores are not as abundant.  While setting the others, I noticed the hands of this one.  STUCK.  Stuck at midnight...the darkest hour.  Yep, that is just about the story of my life, at the moment....stuck at midnight when no one else is around....the darkest hour....when no one cares.  What do I do?  I carry on just like that pendulum.  I keep plodding along unnoticed (no chimes) with no purpose (no hands).  I am just a broken clock.  Life goes on....or, in my case, goes by.  Others go about their merry way and I am stuck at midnight.  Sad part is....had only everyone heeded the advice to quarantine themselves for two weeks at the very beginning, this would have never exploded into the situation of the past two years.  Try two years, folks.  Try two years.  And over and over again, I tell myself..."It is for my own good."  Yet, I struggle.  My current state is not pretty....not pretty, at all.

Two Years From Society

   After the past two weeks...oh, who am I trying to fool...after the past two years, I am ready to quit being an adult and start being a kid again.  None of this has been to my liking.  I am exhausted.  Purely exhausted.  I am tired of being quarantined even though it is a self-quarantine.  I am tired of not seeing people, visiting with people and going places.  I am tired of pandemics, epidemics and illness.  I am tired of politics, arguments and ugliness. I am tired of hurricanes, termites and mosquitoes.  Yep, I am even tired of raccoons.  I am just tired.  At some point, this has gone from being a temporary situation to a permanent lifestyle and...it ain't fun, folks.

  This morning, I took a quick run to the pier before stepping into the harshness of the day.  Heavy clouds hung over the water.  It reminded me of the turmoil that I have been feeling, as of late.  Calm on the outside but not on the inside.  I need that peace again....where did it go?  I am just tired....just dog tired.

Ms. Sally

   I often watch the critters around the Bayou and find that they, like people, have distinct personalities.  There are those who are stressed, those who are laid back, those who are fretful and those who are grouchy.  There are those who work hard to survive then there are those who think they are entitled enough to steal from others.  There are bullies, helpers, loners, instigators and achievers.  It boggles the mind.  Most folks "see" critters...I learn from them.

  One of my most recent visitors was a seagull that I have named "Sally".  She is a lovely creature with the sweetest face imaginable.  While most seagulls of all types are known to be a bit on the greedy side, so far, Sally seems to be fully appreciative of a single handout.  She does not aggravate you for more.  If offered, Sally will take a minnow or little mullet, sit on the pier post and swallow down the prize.  Then, unlike the others, she will quietly wait.  Most gulls will literally dive-bomb you for more handouts.  Not Sally.  She is more demure and ladylike.  I am sorry to tell the feistier gulls but her demeanor gets noticed and, consequently, she receives more gifts.  This just proves that you do not have to be boisterous nor greedy.

  Ms. Sally will likely spend a while around the pier since she is treated with kid-gloves.  This makes me happy.  Since I am still self-isolating (doctor's orders), I crave friendship in any form.  Sally and I seem to get along well so our friendship will hopefully be a long one.  Be kind, folks, be kind.

  

Suits Me To A "T"

  Sorry, folks, but I am not ready to end that social distancing or self isolation thing just yet.  No, I never feared for my life nor felt that I was going to get some dreaded illness.  I just prefer to be alone and away from all of the drama being stirred up and spread around by "Oh, so wonderful people!"  Sorry...not sorry.  As far as I am concerned, the Bayou is still off-limits.  Since I have had plenty of time to do soul-searching and reevaluating, I find I am much happier!  This blog is enough social interacting for me.  Perhaps I truly am becoming a hermitess...or I am truly just tired of peopling.

  Today as I was out investigating what Tropical Storm Cristobal left behind, I had to laugh when I came across a "T".  It is quite apparent that this was not some accident that the storm created but rather something that was made by human hands.  Why?  I have no idea other than perhaps someone was cleaning and did a bit of a balancing act.  A cutoff chunk of wood was laid neatly across the top of  a stump.  Twined partially around it was some sort of aluminum strip.  The whole thing made me think of a crude monument perhaps akin to stone balancing!  What had I happened upon? 

  This "T" is in the middle of a small clearing on property next to ours.  There is no mysterious tale behind it other than how much it reminds me of me.  Here is a somewhat quirky item out in the middle of nowhere that is fully happy (as happy as a tree stump can be) being by itself. It just fit.  So much so that I wish my "T" was on our property.  Perhaps I should start erecting some bizarre monuments here and there just to confuse anyone traipsing around the place. It could be interesting!

The Perfect Visitor!

  In view of the current social distancing order, I fully discourage any visitors to the Bayou.  I live here.  You don't.  There is no need for you to come.  After all this is over and the virus has been defeated...you are welcome.  Not now, however.  I have stuck with the idea that without a host, the virus will die.  Mark, on the other hand, still comes and goes as he pleases.  It bothers me but nothing can be done so I do not even attempt.  I spend a good bit of time outside deep-breathing our fresh air, getting plenty of sunshine and doing yard work.  Great progress is happening in the garden!  

  Today, that social distancing put me to installing some gravel guards for the roof drain.  The way our house is shaped, rain pours down with a vengeance and washes gullies as it does.  I have tried everything but it seems as if this gravel drain some forty feet long is the only surefire way of coping with the destructive power of water!  The gravel guards will keep the gravel, itself, from being strewn into the lawn and then flung about by the mower.  I was on my hands and knees when a visitor showed up.  Surprisingly...this one I welcomed!  In fact, I was overjoyed to stop work, sit a spell and enjoy a bit of company.  It was delightful!

  A Southern Black Racer decided to investigate what I was doing in the garden.  While I was working, a movement caught my eye and I turned to see the snake making its way to me.  I was quite sure that it would veer off course to avoid me but, nope, it came straight in to visit!  The snake slithered up to the pile of large rocks that I had removed from the edge of the drain and then proceeded to inch closer.  Once it was about two feet from me, it stopped, started flicking its tongue and stared.  Oh, sweet thing!  Even when I slowly reached over to get the camera, the snake kept its place.  For a good half hour, my new friend and I shared some quality time.  I welcomed it to the garden and told it that I would prefer it chose the area as its permanent residence.  How sweet would that be???

  Even though I have taken to talking to critters, I promise that this whole isolation thing has not twisted the brain.  It has always been this way.  To be totally honest, I am fully enjoying my "alone time" as I am getting so much accomplished!  And...I am meeting new friends along the way. 

Keeping My Distance!

  With all of the mess that the world is in nowadays, it is best to heed the advice of the experts and do a bit of "social distancing".   There is no earthly reason that you "have" to go anywhere.  Make life a wee bit easier on our health care workers and STAY HOME!  It is that simple.  Stay home...let this virus die out due to a lack of hosts.  I don't want it.  You don't want it.  Nobody wants it.  So...stop sharing it.  Today, several folks called and wanted to come here.  Nope!  I rarely leave the Bayou as it is so social distancing is easy for me but, folks, stop trying to "un-distance" me!  I have advised folks to not venture down the lane to the Little Bayou House.  Let me stay in isolation.

  In fact, my social distancing is now an art form in its own right.  I can avoid people with ease.  Early this morning, I was on the pier thinking that I had actually distanced myself from my own house!  I am out before daybreak and tend to stay outside until late, late afternoon.  As I sat on the bench looking back toward the house, it almost made me giggle.  With the new growth of leaves this spring, the Little Bayou House seemed to disappear!  Looking back up that long pier, the house was quite hidden.  It was as if the place had decided to go into hiding with the rest of us.  

  Folks, it is simple.  To end the virus, we have all got to keep our distance, take precautions and stay well.  Best advice is to stay away from everybody.  I have several family members in the medical profession and they are stressed beyond belief.  They are out of supplies, they are physically and mentally exhausted and, yet, they continue to work hard to keep everybody well.  Why is it so hard to do our part?  Stay home.

Just Stay Home!

  Perhaps it is time to put something out there that may make a point hit home.  At least, if folks really think, it may make this whole "self isolation" or "social distancing" seem a little clearer since there are those who either simply do not understand or who do not care what happens to others.  

  A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of the Groundsel Bush Beetle larva.  This is a pretty, little thing that munches happily on the bushes near the pier.  The critter grows and turns into a small yellow beetle.  The main diet for the larva is the Groundsel Bush hence the name.  It does not venture into the garden to eat my turnip greens nor tomato plants.  It does not infest oak trees nor hickory trees.  It simply stays put on the Groundsel Bush and eats to its heart's content.   Now if that host plant is removed, the larva dies.  

  Trying to explain the importance of social distancing or isolation to some folks is nigh on impossible but it can be compared to the larva and the Groundsel Bush.  If  we remove the host, the virus will die.  It is as simple as that.  Remove ourselves from mass meetings, crowded public places and unnecessary groupings and...wham!...the virus will not have a bunch of hosts in which to live.  These social gatherings of any sort puts us all at danger but also puts everyone else who we interact with in danger as well.  The virus WILL DIE if it has no host...simple as that.

  So, that said, folks, it really boils down to a bit of commonsense and a lot of respect.  Would you want someone bringing the virus to your house?  To infect you?  To infect your loved ones?  Then why do you insist on doing the same?  Stay home!  If you are not an essential person needed to keep this country running...stay home.   If you are not a health care worker of any sort..stay home.  If your services are not direly needed for the safety of others...stay home.  If you are not someone directly helping in some form...stay home!  By getting out, you are putting so many in danger and are making the jobs of those out there trying their best to keep things safe and keep the country rolling much more difficult.  Just STAY HOME!