Never Know What To Expect

   Weather is one of those crazy things that can never make up its mind what it wants to be.  Weather..."Hmm, do I want to be sunny, partly cloudy or rainy?  And if rainy, should I storm or merely sprinkle?  Cold or hot?  Foggy?"  The imaginary conversation could go on for hours except, here, the weather changes its mind in a matter of minutes.  I never know what to expect lately.

  I was out dead-heading the zinnias when I heard a rumble to the east.  Wait a minute!  It is sunny!  Not toward the east.  I slipped to the pier to get a good view of what was headed our way.  Yep, old Fickle Weather was up to his tricks again.  

  On the northeast horizon a storm cloud was looming over the Bayou.  The southeast had poofy white clouds and the southwest was pretty much sunny and clear.  Boom!  A big bolt of lightning shot across the  dark cloud.  Ok, that was enough for me.  I have more sense than to stay on the pier during a lightning storm!  It was time to head back to the Little Bayou House and safety.

If Crape Myrtles Can Do It, So Can I!

   I find it rather uplifting to know that a simple  stroll through the gardens can be healing.  Yes, the fresh air and exercise go a long way in making the body well but just being outdoors in a peaceful spot can heal the mind and spirit.  Today was not good.  It was not bad but still not good.  I felt lousy from the get-go but still felt as if I had chores to be done.  I have never been one to just be idle.  Lounging about the place actually makes me feel worse so I struggled to find the energy to tackle a few tasks.  Not only was my body lagging, my brain was awhirl with worries about family members.  It seems that the old Morton Salt advertisement holds true.  " When it rains, it pours." I figured that  perhaps doing something would take the mind off of many things.  

  Along about midday, thunder started grumbling just north of us.  I turned to see huge black clouds bearing down on the Bayou and figured I had best get myself back indoors.  Just as I reached for the back screen door, a flash of pink caught my eye.  Well, storm or not, I had to stop for a photo!  The crape myrtles were blooming again!  Those crazy bushes had already bloomed once this summer but were now popping out with all sorts of buds!  The hot pink frilly clusters were waving like banners with the hefty storm breezes.  "Look at us!  Don't go inside!  Look at us!"  I did.  I braved the lightning just to see something that I have seen a thousand times over.  By the time I started taking the photograph, a slight drizzle started falling.  

  Seeing the renewed buds along side of the spent seed pods gave me an odd feeling of renewal.  Regardless of my current condition, there is new hope on the horizon.  Somewhere out there with those storm clouds is my "get up and go' and my peace of mind.  The crape myrtles told me so.  

Time To Head To The House!

  Early this morning, thunder grumbled in the distance and clouds covered the sky.  I figured there was enough time to get one quick hike in before everything cut loose.  Grabbing the camera and slipping on my moccasins, the short trek to the pier started.  About halfway down the hill, a slight mist started hitting my face so the camera was covered by my conveniently baggy shirt.  It was already acting contrary so there was no reason to add to the problems.  Ahh, peace!  Once I near the marsh, it seems that I am in my element as a certain peace envelopes me.  I stood with my eyes closed breathing in the salty air.  Yep, this is definitely where I belong.

  Then, I opened my eyes to a threatening situation!  In the few moments that I was meditating, the clouds thickened and obtained a rather ominous glow.  Uh, oh!  That did not look good!  It is never safe to be on the pier during a thunderstorm so I had best get myself back to the Little Bayou House!  Hustling up the hillside is a feat for an old lady but I did it in remarkable time.  In fact, I got there JUST in time as...CRACK!  BOOM!  A large lightning bolt shot across the sky to the back of the Bayou.  Needless to say, I did not wait around to see if a tree was struck!  I surely did not want to be outside with lightning popping about the place.  Boom!!! More lightning strikes and then a torrential downpour!  Whew!  I am sure glad I was back inside.  

  The day was much the same with thunderstorms rolling across the Bay every few hours.  On a positive note, the area got a good helping of much needed rain.  Things will look so refreshed come morning.  For now, I am glad I am back inside the snug Little Bayou House.

Things Can Quickly Change

  Mark and I have been starting our days by fishing.  Each morning before daybreak, we head to the pier to cast a line and also enjoy the sunrise.   Recently, the sunrises have been phenomenal due to the heavy cloud cover.  We sit back and enjoy a perfect start to our day.  The other morning, the sky was incredible.  Deep, rich colors dominated the entire sky and not just the horizon.  Brilliant reds ruled!  That, in itself, should have been fair warning but we failed to heed it.  We were intent on our fishing and not much else mattered. That inattentiveness could have been bad news for the two of us.  

  Along about 8am, we decided to call it quits and started reeling in our poles.  Clearing up the fishing gear, I turned to the north and noticed some heavy clouds overhead.   "Hey, we better hurry!"  No sooner had the words left my mouth than a loud crackling sound whizzed by our heads and the loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard followed instantly.  ZAP!   A bolt of lightning had struck less than a hundred feet from us!  Uh, oh!  Not good!  It is not the brightest idea to be on the open pier in the middle of an intense thunderstorm!  We both scampered up the hillside and into the Little Bayou House!  Never have two old folks run so fast!  Once inside, he and I collapsed in a fit of laughter!  The safety of the Little Bayou House once again surrounded us and we were relieved.  What could have been devastating was over!  

  Several years ago, our pier had been struck by lightning and it split one of the tall posts asunder.  Three foot long splinters of the post littered the pier and water.  Just think!  That could have been my head!  Yep,  lesson was learned.  Stay off the pier during storms and, if you are there, be alert to your surroundings!  The weather can go downhill really fast and, with no warning, can deal some mighty heavy blows!  Thankfully, I still have my head!
 

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!