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!

Gone for another year...

   It is a rare thing to find a lovely, "fall-colored" tree during the first few months of autumn around here.  We have to wait until late November before getting much color on our leaves.  Then, the hickory trees are in their full glory.  The bright orange leaves glow like embers in a winter fire when the setting sun hits them.  Folks stand in awe of the 60+ ft trees with their golden leaves wafting in the bay breeze.  This lets us know that summer has ended...for certain...and winter (or at least a semblance of the season) is nigh.  These glorious trees are our "fall colors" as we pretty much do not have any others that are native to the area.

  I was fortunate to notice that the hickory tree in the front yard was putting on quite a show with its fall attire.  Two days ago, I took the time to photograph the tree as the setting sun filtered through the leaves.  Ahh, beautiful!  Satisfied that I had my pictures for the season, I turned the thoughts elsewhere.  Now, two days later, I am happy that I took the time to admire the tree.  

  Severe weather set in last night complete with torrential rains and high winds.  While it made for good sleeping weather for me, the tree did not fare so well.  This morning, all of those lovely leaves are on the ground and in Puddle Pond.  Nary a one hangs on the twigs of the tree.  The hickory tree now looks barren such as one would find during the bleak days of winter.  The ground, on the other hand, is golden...and what a mess!  The next few days will find me cleaning the pond and grinding the leaves for mulch.  My beautiful fall tree is gone until next year.

Batten Down The Hatches!

   I am sitting here listening to the windows rattle as yet another storm system blows through the area.  Bat, the cat, and I are snuggled down while the storms shake the Little Bayou House.  So far, we have been fortunate with only straight line winds and lots of thunder and lightning.  Tornadic activity is all around us, however, so it is a bit nerve racking, to say the least.  Hopefully, this will pass soon and without much damage to anyone.  It is highly reminiscent of a tropical storm.

  I was out earlier today taking a few photos of the azaleas and spirea.  Neither of these will fare well through this wind.  We were only able to enjoy them for a few days but we DID get to enjoy them.  Life is funny that way.  Things come and go quickly.  Be safe, friends.  Be safe.

The "Disappearing Pier"!

   For about the last 16 hours, the weather has decided to pummel the Bayou with some messy stuff.  So far, our neighbors to the west have caught the brunt of it but as I write this, we are starting to receive their leftovers.  The good folks of Louisiana and Texas just cannot seem to catch a break.  Hopefully, the system will weaken before wreaking much more havoc.  

  I was on the pier early this afternoon during a break in the weather, then again, just before dark.  Our pier is the only one within view that is still "within view".  The others are all underwater.  The tide (pushed by the strong winds since early this morning) is well up in the yards of anyone living on the waterfront.  It always strikes me as a bit disconcerting to see the piers underwater.  The posts lead to nowhere.   Just before nightfall, Son and I had to go salvage our small skiff.  He had gone down earlier to secure it better but the winds and waves proved that the storm was stronger than rope.  The front tie-rope had broken leaving the skiff askew.  It was being battered by the winds and was wedged under the pier.  While he shimmied the boat from under the pier, I was in the front trying to shove it out of the marsh.  I am getting far too old for this!  Once we freed the skiff from its precarious situation, we pulled it far up in the cut to calmer waters.  There it should be able to ride out this squally junk.

  Folks, if you are inclined, the folks in the path of this system could use all the prayers you can muster.  There are going to be some pretty ugly damages come morning light.  Tornadoes are ripping whole towns.  People are going to be hurting and will need our support.  Stay safe.  Be kind.  Lend a helping hand.

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.  

Grass Rescue

   Other than the obvious destruction that hurricanes bring to coastal cities, there is often long term effects that not too many folks even consider.  The high winds and storm surges can change the flora and fauna of an area.  After Hurricane Katrina, we had a massive influx of brown widow spiders that I had never noticed before here on the Bayou.  We had the occasional black widow but never any brown widow spiders.  Spiders are not the only creepy crawly critters that come riding in on debris.  Before Hurricane Camille, not many folks around here had ever seen an eastern lubber grasshopper.  We have had limpkins from Florida, strange fish from who knows where and even lizards from the islands.  Sometimes, the critters adapt to their new home and, sometimes, they move on in search of their own kind.

  Plants, on the other hand, really cannot "move on".  Once here, they stay...for better or worse.  One of the "hurricane transplants" to the Bayou is cordgrass.  This plant was brought to us by Hurricane Katrina, also.  I first noticed a few sprigs on the east side of the pier not long after that storm.  Now, it makes up about 30% of the marsh in this area and is spreading.  While I do not mind the looks of this newcomer, I do have a complaint.  It is displacing the needle grass that was originally here.  Great clumps of the needle grass are being washed away with each new storm as the roots of the cordgrass has disrupted the root systems of the needle grass.  With the past two storms (Zeta and Ida), I have been trying to restore the clumps that wash into the yard.  It is no easy task to drag the heavy (50 to 100lb) clumps back down to the water but I figure it is necessary as a preservation act.  Plus, the mussels that are attached to the root systems need that brackish water to live.  There is not much I can do to eliminate the cordgrass but perhaps I can save a bit of the needle grass.  

Windy Days, High Tides and Silly Birds!

   For the past few days, there has been some sort of weather system in the Gulf that has been pounding us with strong easterly winds that pushed the water way up higher than usual.  This high tide presented its share of problems with securing the skiff and with knocking loose a few of the pier boards.  Thankfully, none of the boards were lost as they were simply washed over to my brother's yard.  Once the tide recedes, they will be hauled back and another attempt at finishing the repairs will take place.  This was damage from Hurricane Zeta last fall and here we are looking at another system already.  The hurricane season was started a month early to compensate for what the forecasters are calling a "busy" year.  Great.  Just great.

  Not all is bad with the wind and high tides.  At least, there are no gnats as those rascals have been blown to parts unknown.  That is fine by me.  Now if the wind could possibly do something about the mosquitoes and deer flies, I would be one happy camper.  Speaking of happy campers, the egrets are taking full advantage of the tide being pushed well into the yard.  With the high tide, small fish and minnows are also up well into the yard.  The egrets and herons are "wade-fishing" on the grass!  While Son and I watched several egrets were snapping up minnows and, Moe, the Great Blue Heron awkwardly chased a mullet that had somehow found its way onto the grass. The birds were getting plenty to eat today!

  The tide will be up until the storm goes inland then, hopefully, things will settle down a bit.  It has been a windy week and I am ready for a change.  I have a lot of chores needing to be done that just cannot be safely tended with tropical storm force winds whipping about the place all day.  Until then, I will sit back, enjoy the gnatless days and the show put on by the birds.  

White Ibises Visit The Bayou!

  Today saw the Bayou being pounded by more storms.  Winds were gusting pretty stiffly and at times the rains were torrential.   All of this storming made for high tides and slippery slopes but, by late afternoon, the skies cleared enough for Mark and I to take a quick walk about the place.  Of course, the first place we always go to is the pier.  It was on the way back toward the shore end that Mark pointed out a large flock of birds overhead.  Looking up, my first thought was egrets but it confused me to see so many flocking together.  Then, I caught a glimpse of the bills of the birds.  Ibises!  Those are ibises!  I was not quick enough to get more than one pretty shabby photograph of the birds before they headed west.  While that was disappointing, the fact that we actually saw this many of the birds made my day.

  The White Ibis is usually found more around fresh water lakes and ponds than salt or brackish water.  There, it will visit the mudflats in search of mud worms, crustaceans and insects.  The ibis has a long, curved bill that it uses to probe the soft mud.  When it senses something, the bill snaps shut and the prey is pulled from the mud.  If it is too muddy, the bird will then go to clear water to wash its supper.  It will also declaw crabs and crawfish and crush their shells before eating them.  

  It has been a long time since I have seen any ibises.  My aunt (actually my mom's cousin) was an avid birder and she often let me tag along on her excursions.  We would search for any bird and Fairie Lyn would quickly and accurately identify it for me.  I learned a lot about birds from this lady!  In her later years, she depended on me to take her birding...which I gladly did as often as I could.  We had fun!  I remember how excited she was on one outing when we came upon dozens of the White Ibises.  She started pointing out the identifying factors of the birds and gave me a brief history of their lives.  This afternoon, I thanked my long-gone auntie for teaching me to appreciate the beauty of birds.  Fairie Lyn, your love of birds lives on through me.

Just Another Day

  I awoke to the sound of a storm pounding the Little Bayou House.  This was the first of a day long siege that the Bayou would see.  It was not too bad and, personally, I usually like a good storm.  Today, however, I wanted to be outside!  I did not want to be pent up like a chicken in a coop!  I wanted to be like the free birds that flit around in the treetops and take flight at whim.  Well, there was nothing to do about it other than don a jacket and escape the confines of the house.  I did.

  Once outside, the drizzly rain ran down my face and soaked me to the bone!  After just a half hour hike, I was shaking like a leaf in a windstorm so it was back to the house for me.  First, however, I needed to make one last run to the pier to check the small skiff.  It was on that path that I found the perfect description of the day.  A solitary bird sat fluffed against the rain and wind.  The bird had sought a meal from the seeds of the popcorn tree (Chinese Tallow Tree).  The few dead leaves, fat seed pods and sweet bird were set against the dreary, grey sky making it the perfect photo of the day.  Both the little bird and I needed to seek shelter so I bid it goodbye and hoped it found a safe place to spend the night.  I told it that there was plenty of room in the greenhouse if it wished to dry out and sleep safely.  How lucky I am to have the Little Bayou House to protect me even though there are times that I wish to escape.  Tonight, the storms are still raging. I am sitting snug thinking of my little bird friend. Hopefully, it found the greenhouse's protection and is warm and cozy.  Life is good.

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?" 

Disturbing the Process of Things

  With the sirens blasting their tornado warning, rain threatening to pelt down from the sky and lightning bouncing about the hillside, old Mr. PJ decided he absolutely NEEDED to go outside.  Ummm, no.  Not happening at the moment.  Sorry, my friend, but you will just have to hold it or go by yourself (which is also a no-go since he has started roaming).  The weather seems to play a huge part in the old dog's dealings with pain.  Arthritis is one of those things that seems worse at night and during inclement weather.  I can fully commiserate with PJ as my own bout of the evil stuff is flaring its ugly head.  So, we waited.

  Once the sirens and lightning stopped and before the torrential rains started, he and I made our way down along the marsh edge.  He did his business and I meandered around looking at the wildflowers.  As I edged close to a clump of palmettos, a slight rustling drew my attention.  Ok, so did my ambling alarm a bird?  A snake?  Or what?  Peering into the fronds, I found my answer.  A quite large box turtle peered back at me.  She seemed to be a bit antsy even though I backed away.  Pondering the turtle, it became clear about her "situation".  Most likely, this turtle was gravid and seeking a place to dig her nest site.  She wanted no onlookers at this point and my bumbling along probably upset her a bit.  

  By this time, the old dog had finished his business and the raindrops started to fall.  It was best that he and I head to the Little Bayou House....and quickly!  Tonight, the storms are raging.  High winds, torrential rains and lots of lightning.  The Bayou is rocking!  I hope Mama Turtle finds some shelter from the storm to lay her eggs in peace.

East Winds Bring High Tides

  The weather has been a bit unsettled for the past twenty-four hours or so.  A stiff easterly wind has pushed the tide far up into the Bay.  Most of our neighbors' piers are under water.  Their boats sit moored unreachable.  A weather system has moved across the Gulf and is bringing rain, wind and high tides.  This is nothing to cause worry other than for those who have to travel flooded roads. Since I pretty much stay on the Bayou, I can purely marvel at the Bayou at is fullest.  The only threat we have is that critters from the marsh are now seeking higher ground.  It pays to be watchful when traipsing about the hillside.  Any number of snakes may be out and about but the only worrisome ones are the cottonmouths.  Others may give you a fright but the moccasin may give more than you bargained for.  I also have to keep close watch on PJ, the newcomer dog, as he may not be aware of the dangers of said snakes.  

  Pop always used to say that an east wind never brought anything good.  He was referring to fishing, of course, and claimed that "good" fish did not bite during an east wing.  I figured that since fishing was out other things should be done.  The inclement weather gave me the opportunity to work more on props for the upcoming clue hunt.  Our debut run is this Friday whether we are ready or not.  Mark has to go back to work so we rallied together a group of his brothers and sisters.  They will be our "trial" team.  Hopefully, things will run smoothly for them.  I have not been able to work as much on the props as I would have liked due to an injured leg but Son and one of his buddies have taken up the slack.  They have the "working" parts ready but the decorations are still not complete.  Today's work put me closer to finishing my parts but there is still a lot lacking.  Three more days to get things completed is pushing it.  Wish me well!

  The storms that roll in off the Gulf always inspire me and get the wheels in the brain turning.  There is just something about the excitement of a good storm to shake up things a bit and I definitely need a good shaking!  

A Tad Troubling

  I could not sleep last night...at all. I am not sure just what kept me awake but at dawn, I was still awake.  Well, I figured I might as well get up and start stirring around a bit.  After a mug of coffee, I was ready to face the world.   My foster dog, Mr. PJ and I headed to the pier.  That is my "feel good" place and apparently it is fast becoming a favorite of the old dog.  He and I share our early mornings together watching the world come to life after a night of slumber.

  This morning, the sunrise looked a bit ominous.  Heavy clouds were gathering and promised to bring rain before day's end.  As I sat there watching the sun trying to peep through, I thought of the good folks in Texas.  Hurricane Harvey did a fine job of bringing devastation to much of the state.  My heart sank a bit for those fine folks.  Having gone through many hurricanes, I know the heartache that can result from one making landfall in your area.  With Hurricane Harvey, though, the widespread flooding will linger long after the storm has moved back out in the Gulf.

  Speaking of that return to the Gulf, it is a bit worriesome.  Any storm over open water has the potential to strengthen and this one would be no different.  Hopefully, the remnants of the storm will move back inland before that can happen, however, that slow (3mph) movement to the ESE is not promising.  

  Just before heading back to the Little Bayou House, I said a prayer for everyone that is suffering the throes of Harvey.  Glancing back at the sunrise, I also thought of how that may be the last bit of sun that I see for a few days as we are supposed to get a bit of the outer bands of rain from the (once) hurricane.  That thought made me even more appreciative of the high hill that PJ and I had to climb to get back to the house.  Storms do make you ponder.

  Folks, just a thought....pray for the fine folks in Texas that are struggling with the devastation, lend a helping hand, send a few bucks or, at least, give a word of encouragement.  It means a lot to folks who are going through troubling times.

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!

Photobombing Bird

  For the past, oh, year or so, the Bayou has seen more than its share of rain.  We are lucky, though, since we live high up on a hill overlooking the water.  Other folks' places are pretty much soggy.  Take a stroll through their yards and you better be wearing waders.  Your shoes are guaranteed to be sloppy wet otherwise.  Here, however, the rain simply runs down the hillside and into the Bayou.  It is not uncommon for a dark cloud to push up on the horizon in a moment's notice.  More than once, I have been caught off guard and had to make a mad dash back to the Little Bayou House to escape the torrential downpour.

  Earlier today, the clouds on the western horizon were particularly black and threatening.  I had gone down to the pier to check the crab traps (which, by the way, are no more thanks to the alligator!) and noticed that a storm was quickly forming.  There was only time to grab one photograph before thunder started booming overhead. Time for me to scoot myself back up that hill!

  Later, I realized that I had inadvertently photographed a swallow at the same time as the cloud.  These little birds were zipping about just above the water's surface as they snapped up all sorts of insects.  The midges and mosquitoes did not stand a chance! There is a whole colony of the birds nesting in a cupola of my neighbor's house. The family does not seem to mind or are not aware of their house guests which makes it nice for both me and the birds!  They have a nice cozy home to raise their young and I get free insect control. (Although....I would hate to be the one that cleans the cupola!)

  The rest of the day was spent watching similar squalls roll in off the Gulf.  All I could do was admire the photograph and my friendly, little photo-bomber!  

Storming on the Bayou

  Things look a tad bleak on the Bayou.  Today, like yesterday and the day before, severe storms dominated.  Thunder, lightning, torrential rains and high winds (at times, tropical storm strength) pounded the Little Bayou House and, for that matter, the whole South.  We have been under the gun for days now and all of this has kept me housebound.  Son and I have been running from one spot to the other battling leaks. The wind pushed rain down the chimney and under windows and doors.  One tiny leak in the roof made itself known by the tap, tap, tapping as the water hit the floor.  A pan under it will suffice until the weather permits a climb to the rooftop.  While I am not exactly happy with that, we are blessed. Others in the area had far worse troubles.  Flooding is the word of the day here and the threat of tornadoes kept us all alert and on our toes. Hopefully, tomorrow will see the system move on its merry way and we can have a bit of much needed sunshine.  

  Mark and I did make a quick run to the pier early this morning to check the little skiff.  Heavy clouds shrouded the horizon and gave us the gut feeling that we would not make it back to the house before being soaked. We did manage to sneak to the back to pick some of the navel oranges so I could fill my day making marmalade.  No sooner had we filled our bucket than the rains started once again.  A mad dash to the house led us to discover our mistake!  Instead of going out the backdoor nearest the citrus grove, we had used the front door heading to the pier.  Oops!  Around the house, I dashed.  I darted through the house to unlock the door for Mark who was carrying the heavy bucket of oranges.  Poor guy!  He was patiently waiting at the backdoor while getting soaked!  

  I am ready for this rain to move out of the area and a bit of cooler weather to settle in for a while. I have plenty of citrus fruits occupy my time.  Oranges, satsumas, grapefruit and kumquats all need to be canned, made into marmalade and butters and the peels dehydrated. The Little Bayou House will smell wonderful and the pantry shelves will be stockpiled once again.  With the marmalade made today, biscuits may just have to be on the menu for breakfast in the morning!

 

Raging Storms, Backwards Steps and GOURDS!

  For some time now, it seems as if I move backward a lot more than I do forward.  At night before I sleep, I ponder all sorts of things that I need to do come the following morning.  I have good intentions but, for some odd reason or another, I never seem to even start.  One day, the washing machine refused to spin so I worked on it a bit until my finger became smashed beyond any use, so I went fishing.  Another day, the old Bayou Queen, Ms. Put, (the old cat) fell ill and needed attention.  You can probably imagine what the day entailed with that so there is no need in elaborating.  After cleaning up behind her for most of the day, I went fishing.  Then last night we had storms.  Torrential rains, fierce winds and....a leaky roof.  Well, there went the plans for decorating the Christmas Tree.  I did not go fishing, though, as the weather was still misbehaving a tad.  The roof was tended and hopefully drip, drip, drip will not be heard tonight as we, once again, are going to be under the gun weatherwise.  The old Bayou will be a wild place again tonight. Thunderstorms will roll through right about high tide.  The south wind will push the tide even higher so things on the pier had to be secured. The possibility of even more severe weather than last night could be interesting.  No drips, please!

  All of these distractions have kept me busy to the point that nothing...nada...zilch has been done on my mental list and surely, creativity has gone the wayside.  Today, however, I had inspiration!  A very nice lady inquired about some of my painted gourds.  I was bound and determined that I should start painting once again.  Other things can wait!   The gourds were all scrubbed clean and paints, brushes and gourds assembled.  It felt good to be back again.  My artistic side was in a giant slump until this.  

  Thank you, Ms. Marilyn, your kind words have inspired me to create! Perhaps now those backward steps won't seem so heavy and I can bounce forward with eagerness each morning!  Let the storms rage....I have a project!

And It Rained....Elsewhere

  Although this has been perhaps the rainiest summer that we have had on the Bayou in quite some time, things dry out here quickly.  Living on such a high hill overlooking the creek, Bayou and Bay, rainwater simply washes down the hillside and leaves things high and dry in the garden.   That dryness and the high heat (triple digits once again today) make it hard on the plants.  My poor tomato plants are struggling to live long enough to bring the last few tomatoes to maturity.  I may have to pick them green if things do not change.  My daily watering does little to combat the scorching heat.  Poor little garden does not look too well.

  Early this morning, thunder started rumbling to the south of us.  I was itching for that rain to come our way.  Nope.  It stayed across the Bay this time and did not even make the effort to give us a sprinkling.  Then, late this afternoon, there was grumbling to the north.  I peered through the woods to see dark clouds forming!  Yep, this looked more promising! The thunder kept getting closer and closer.  Soon, we were having a good old thunderstorm complete with wind and lightning...but no rain.  We stayed dry...too dry.  I should not complain, though, as things could be far worse.

  Now, hours later, I can hear the thunder rolling out over the Gulf to our south.  Once again, it appears that the storm will miss us completely.  It seems as if we are in that small strip of land that storms are avoiding at the moment.  I am sure that, eventually, it will change course and we will be on the receiving end of the torrential downpours that are wreaking havoc on the surrounding areas.  I am sure, also, that thousands of folks who are dealing with floods will be happy to see the rains shift our way. Our good neighbors in Louisiana have had a hard go of it.  Please keep these fine folks in your prayers and, if possible, lend them a helping hand.  Rain or shine, we are all in this together, folks.

Still Finding

  Hurricane Katrina hit the Coast over ten years ago but I am still finding stuff that washed in with the surge.  Our property (along with all other waterfront pieces) accumulated mountains of debris.  Everything from parts of houses to parts of semi trucks littered the place.  At some points in the yard, the debris was more than twelve feet deep.  Furniture, boats, shoes (lots and lots of shoes!) doors, refrigerators, curtains, knickknacks were all mixed in with boards, trees, marsh grass and dead critters.  There was no accounting for what you might find while out traipsing the mountain of debris.  Some was useful. some was disgusting, all was heart-wrenching.  With no available markets open for daily necessities, I would send Son out on a scavenging trip.  "I need detergent,  a bucket and perhaps something to make a clothesline."  or "Go out and find a couple of chairs and a table.  We have more folks coming down the lane hunting for a hot meal." (We fed dozens of hungry folks.  Thank goodness our grill was salvageable.  With no power, folks had no way of cooking for months.)  No matter what the request was, we usually could find needed items by scrounging about the place.  To sum it up, when one out-of-state cousin asked what it was like living after the storm, I had a ready reply.  "It is a lot like camping out....in the largest dump in the world."  It was.

  Still today, I find things that the storm surge deposited in the yard.  In the far back corner of the property...down behind the canebrake, I made yet another discovery.  The recent deluge of rain, uncovered glass.  Not just any glass but more shards of stained glass that I assume came from churches demolished by the hurricane. I have boxes of like shards in all colors of the rainbow.  Why did I keep them?  I guess because I needed that rainbow.  I needed something bright and pretty. I needed that "light at the end of the tunnel".  I needed that sign that things were going to be ok.  Now the box of glass has become just another bunch of art supplies. The blue one today will join the others and will become something of beauty...from destruction comes a thing of beauty....hmmm, interesting thought.

  This particular area of the yard also received about six feet of beach sand from miles away.  There is no telling what is still buried beneath all of that sand.  Some months after the storm, I found what I thought was a "pretty board".  Still in the salvaging mode, Mark helped me to dig (and dig and dig) until we uncovered a beautiful hall table.  It had been completely buried except for about four inches of one leg.  The table now sits upstairs along with a lovely rosewood bed and an oak table with two matching chairs....all finds from the debris piles.  Darling Daughter laid claim to an entire rosewood dining set that we found and refurbished.  But it was that shard of glass that brought this flood of memories.

  Now...we sit watching the weather forecast that claims another storm may come our way eventually.  Since this one is still far, far out in the Atlantic, I can only hope that it weakens and turns north.  Folks down here do not need a storm on the heels of the massive flooding that our neighbors in Louisiana just received.  They need time to dry out and regroup.  They need time to rebuild and reclaim their lives.  My heart goes out to them.  The good folks of Louisiana need our prayers and any help that can be offered.  

  As I clutched yet piece of Katrina debris eleven years after the fact and with a storm out on the far horizon, I ponder what is to come.  Funny how one little piece of blue glass can trigger thoughts.

Sssssss....Spiders, Snakes and Storms! Oh, My!

  This crazy weather has really been smacking us here on the Bayou.  Last night saw another terrific storm slam the area just about midnight.  I watched as lightning flashed continuously over the Gulf for a half hour before finally taking aim right at us.  Just after the clock struck twelve, hail started pelting the rooftop.  The wind blew at gale force breaking limbs as if they were toothpicks.  Then, the lightning reached us...literally.  The nonstop strikes bounced across the marsh and then up the hillside until finally one large bolt made contact.  The large TV upstairs took a direct shot and was fried.  The stench of burning plastic filled the upstairs of the Little Bayou House.  Thankfully, we have not found any other damage...so far.  This weather pattern has been a weekly occurrence.

  With all of the stormy weather, the critters of the Bayou and surrounding hillside are searching for drier places.  Mark and I saw a beautiful Black Racer sunning itself on the pier ramp on one of our walks.  The snake was trying to dry out a bit after the rains and the warm sunshine probably felt rather nice.  The snake lived up to its name and quickly slithered off into the marsh as we neared.  I only wish I had been quicker with the camera!  That thing was fast!

  Then, of all things, Mark found that spiders had moved into his trolling motor.  While spiders living inside the motor is bad enough, the fact that these were Black Widow Spiders made the whole situation a tad scary! Seven fat egg sacs were like some sort of weird bombs waiting to explode and strew billions of baby Black Widows all over the boat. Creepy!  Once he found the eggs, he smashed them all and hoped that the moms were no where around the area!

  So far, we have been fortunate with little damage from the storms and with no unwanted critters trying to invade the Little Bayou House. Hopefully, that will hold throughout the summer.  I just read where the National Hurricane Center is not giving us much hope for a hurricane-free season.  In fact, they predict just the opposite which is much like what I have been saying.  A gut feeling is telling me to keep an eye on the horizon and a few hurricane supplies on hand.  Things might just get a tad rougher before getting easier.  Stay safe, folks, stay safe.