On the tip of my tongue!

  Have you ever drawn a blank on something you should fully know?  The name of a certain tree has fully slipped my mind and it is aggravating the stew out of me.  I know this tree.  I have seen this tree almost every day of my life.  It grows wild near or in the marshes of the Bayou and since Hurricane Katrina, we have them popping up all over the hillside.  I am not complaining about this as it is a positive side of a very devastating storm but the fact that I cannot remember the name is driving me nuts!

  The trees here stay on the smallish side and are nondescript most of the time.  Their true beauty comes out when they bloom.  Some of the trees have orangish blooms while others are yellow.  The flowers are in small clusters and droop much like wisteria.  In fact, someone mentioned that the orange ones are scarlet wisterias but, somehow, that does not seem correct.  

  The quandary will frustrate me until I have a chance to research the blooms for a true identity.  In the meantime, I will simply enjoy the loveliness that dots the hillside!

Update!  A friend just informed me that this is rattlebox (Sesbania)!  The seed pods do indeed rattle.  It is sort of an invasive plant if allowed to go unchecked but since I mow this area, it should be fine.  Why could I not think of that quite obvious name???

Just A Little To the Right

  While wandering the hillside with the old dog, one has plenty of time to ponder things.  Since movement has to be kept at a snail's pace with rest stops about every forty feet, there is not much to be a distraction.  In fact, I have to "find" things to keep the brain from becoming bored.  The early morning hikes at least give me a glimpse of what the day has in store.  The sun peeking over the pines on the far side of the Bayou can let me know if it is to be clear or rainy.  That sun also gives me a view that never fails to astound.

  This morning, Mr. PJ decided he had to go out before the sun was high in the sky.  Our walk took us down near the marsh edge.  As he sniffed for the "perfect spot", the sunrise pulled my attention.  The only way that I can view the eastern horizon from this area is through a gap between trees.  Looking across the marsh, it occurred to me that from the right angle two pine trees appeared to be one.  Move slightly to the side and a small sliver of sunlight could be seen between the trees.  

  This sight started me thinking of how a lot of what we see can be deceiving to the eye.  It pays to look at things from all angles before making a judgment of what things actually are.  Life is funny that way.  There is always more than one view...one angle...one side to every story....or, in this case, tree.  

There are spiders in there!

  When I was just a wee tot, I was bitten by a spider.  The spider was never identified but I was told it was definitely a spider bite.  That seems to be a reasonable assumption merely due to where I was when I received said bite.  The story begins the day after a hurricane had hit the area.  While the old farmhouse did not receive damage, the trees in the yard took a beating.  Several large trees had been uprooted and left gaping holes in the ground.  For some reason, a large tapestry was draped over the tree limbs to dry.  Ahh, to a tiny kid being told to go play while the adults cleaned up the mess, that tapestry became a tent!  I happily whiled away the hours in my own little world until that fateful moment when something decided that I had been there long enough.  I remember excruciating pain on my knee and, as a tyke would, I went screaming for Mom.  Since doctors were not usually called upon unless you were in dire straits, I had to tough it out.  Mom washed the then rapidly swelling bite.  Pop came in and put some sort of "drawing salve" (which I remember as being black, tar like and smelly) on the spot and then wrapped up my leg with a piece of torn bed sheet.  For the next few hours, I walked around looking like the most forlorn mummy ever to be released on the world.  Later, Pop "operated" on my wound.  A scalded pocket knife did the evil job of lancing the bite and the most acrid smelling ick came pouring out.   More of that black salve was applied and the knee was bandaged again.  All of this was done without any anesthesia.  I was given a new toothbrush to make amends.  Whoopee!  Yay!  Ouch!  I was also reprimanded about not watching out for spiders.  "Stay away from hollow trees and dark holes.  Spiders live there."    So my tent playing was over and I was still mummified for a few days with ragtag bed sheet strings dangling from my knee.  I did, however, recover unscathed except for a small scar left behind by the pocketknife.  This bite was the start of a long line of spiders just waiting to attack!  Since then, I have probably received nigh on 50 bites from one sort of spider or another.  Thankfully, the pocketknife has not been seen as the cure all since that most haunting day.

Looking up into the hollow tree.

  This story came to mind when I had the bright idea to stick my hand inside of a hollow tree today.  Why?  I wanted to see if the tree really was filled with evil spiders just waiting to pounce on unsuspecting folks.  The tree is a large oak that was damaged by yet another hurricane a few years back.  Hurricane Katrina had tossed large mounds of debris in our yard. One piece of that debris was an entire deck from someones house.  That deck slammed against the tree leaving a gaping gash.  The tree did protect the side of the house from being hit by the deck so all was good.  Now, however, that poor tree is hollow and almost dead.  So...curiosity got the best of me. I stuck my camera up in the hole and took a photo.  In fact, I took several since I had no way of telling if I was even focusing on anything.  I fully expected to see all sorts of critters on the photograph but, even though I enlarged it, I found nothing resembling a critter.  No termites...no roaches...no beetles...no grub worms...and, believe it or not...NO SPIDERS!  Well now!  Did I just debunk the well-meaning advice given to me as a youngster or did all critters vacate the premises so they would not be photographed??   I do find it quite odd that I found nary a bug in the tree but, at the same time, I am sort of happy that I did not.  At least, I did not get another spider bite!  

Oh, THIS One!!

  Ms. Nycto has not "graduated" to being a Bayou Cat even after all the years of living here.  Although we dutifully call her the Bayou Princess, it is more out of sarcasm than respect.  She is NOT a Ms. Put (RIP).  Ms. Put WAS definitely a Bayou Cat and even earned the right to reign as Bayou Queen.  She can never be replaced.  Ms. Nycto will only be dubbed princess and never queen.  She just is not Bayou Queen material.

  Several times in the past, Ms. Nycto has found herself in the need of rescuing.  The first time is when she came to the Bayou seeking refuge from some pretty hateful people who abused her.  She came...she never left.  Then, after being here a few years, Ms. Put had to defend the Bayou Princess from a marauding tomcat that was quite intent on killing her.  (Yes, actually killing.) I interfered with the attack and the feral tom turned on me!  Ms. Put was aged and not strong but she saw that we were being attacked and she raced across the yard to our aid.  She battled the much larger feral tom until he was in no shape to be attacking anyone.  Ms. Nycto watched from the top of a pine tree where she had to be retrieved by Son after the ordeal was over. 

  This evening, I asked Son to fetch Ms. Nycto for her feeding.  She spends the nights inside the Little Bayou House for her own safety.  This time, Son could not find the cat.  He wandered about the hillside until he heard her pitiful cries.  There she was again.  Up in another tree and did not know how to get back to the ground.  Coyotes were seen in the area so we assume they did the chasing this time.  The cat was high up in the tree and was wedged between branches.  Son came to the rescue once again.  The ladder was hauled to the woods, propped against the tree and Son climbed to get the cat.  Getting a scared cat out of a tall tree is not a fun task.  It took nigh on an hour to get her free from the branches and down to safety.  As we were attempting rescue, the sun was setting and we could hear the coyotes just beyond the underbrush.  To say that was a bit unnerving is an understatement.  A pack of coyotes is not something you want to encounter in the woods especially after dark.  They are sneaky and mean!

  The Bayou Princess is now back inside, fed and hiding on the rocking chair upstairs.  Her ordeal left her a bit shaken but with no physical injuries.  Son and I, on the other hand, are both covered with scrapes, scratches and mosquito bites from being down in the creek bed after dark.  Oh, this silly cat! The Bayou Queen would not have gotten in such a mess.  More than likely, she would have settled the score with the coyotes.  That little seven pound cat was a scrapper!

What is Ordinary Anyway?

  I was challenged on a social media site to post a picture each day depicting an "Ordinary" photograph.  It was supposed to be something that is "ordinary" in your life.  Something that you see or use everyday. Hmmm....my life is obviously pretty boring compared to most folks so this should be almost comical compared to the photographs others are posting.  Face it....I live on a bayou.  I am not around the hubbub most folks call life, I still use a lot of antiquated things and most of my days do not involve people.  So...what could I photograph that is ordinary?  Just what is ordinary anyway?

  I am assuming that my ordinary days are more like a hike in the woods for most folks.  A typical day starts before dawn with either a walk to the pier or busyness in the garden.  The day is filled with fishing, gardening, artwork or chores like home canning. I talk with critters that I see...frogs, birds, squirrels, snakes or whatever happens to stumble in my path. I take an interest in bugs, plants and clouds. Finally, my day ends with another hike around the place. Is this normal?  Is it ordinary? Not for too many folks.

  So, that said, I shall try to fill the challenge. I will try to find ordinary.  It will be hard.  The dictionary defines the word as "usual, normal, standard, typical, common, everyday".  Sorry, life in general is not ordinary.  It is extraordinary and every day is filled with fantastical things if you just look for them and actually see them. While I love the idea and am honored to be challenged, I cannot for the life of me say anything is just that ordinary.   Ordinary...pffft!  Yeah.  So my photo for tomorrow will be just an "ordinary" tree.  (Isn't it spectacular?)

 

Snakes Can Climb!

  The other day, a lovely rat snake decided to pay us a visit.  By lovely...I do mean just that.  The snake was quite large (over five feet) and appeared to have recently shed its outer skin giving it that fresh look.  A friend had come to visit the Bayou and was astounded to see the snake come out of a tree.  I had just been telling her how there are many snakes in trees and here came our lovely snake. 

  Many folks do not realize just how good of climbers snakes are.  When you think of it, climbing does not seem to be an attribute of something without arms or legs.  How is that even possible?  But...snakes climb.  After my friend, Darlene, left for the day, the snake moved from the rose arbor to the nearby Black Gum Tree.  I was fortunate enough to hear the Blue Jays putting up their familiar "There is a SNAKE!" racket so I slipped out the front door to investigate just where my sweet-natured snake had ventured.  My timing could not have been better!  The snake was on the tree just about eye level with me!  Well, I could not resist "petting" the snake a bit before it was out of reach.  Its true personality came shining through as it not only stopped to let me stroke its back but it also turned its head toward my hand and rested it ever so briefly on my arm.  I HAD JUST GOTTEN A SNAKE HUG!  Sweet!  

  After a few minutes, I backed away to photograph my new found friend as it continued on its climb.  Contrary to what seems logical, the snake did not twist and turn about the tree but, rather, ascended straight up!  How cool is that?!!!  I watched for a bit until darkness fell about me.  I figured that the snake and I had parted ways and would never make eye contact again.  Wrong!  This morning, I found my buddy a relaxing on a branch just a slight bit further up the tree from where I left it the night before.  Aww, I am glad that I did not frighten the poor thing into making a great escape!  I sort of like having critters about the yard....even if they are of the snaky sort!

Always Learning

  Rising before the crack of dawn has its good points.  A hot mug of coffee and a hike in the brisk morning air helps me to face the day and whatever it brings.  This early morning rising also allows me to view things in a bit different perspective.  For instance, every day, I meander past the trees near the pier.   Every day, I hardly even notice them unless there is some bird or other critter clambering about the limbs.  The trees themselves have sort of blended in with the background.  I admit that I am one that tells folks to stop and take note of their surroundings but, as of late, I have been falling into the same trap that holds others' imaginations.  I had always hoped that I would never become ensnared by the busyness of the day.  It was in my grand scheme of things that I would be alert and observant enough to see hope in all things.  I suppose you could say I have failed.

  The other morning, I was out walking along the marsh edge when the eastern sky started to brighten a bit.  It was then that I spotted the bare Popcorn Tree sitting in the midst of a couple of dead pines.  The Popcorn Tree is still alive and well but has lost its leaves due to the winter's chill.  Still, the tree was breathtaking.  The inkiness of the early morn made the perfect silhouette.  The branches of black stood out sharply against the blues and purples of the pre-dawn sky.  How had I missed this before?  

  I have now made a vow to be far more observant than I have been in the past.  I will live what I have been trying to teach.  The beauty of the obscure will become a goal.  Lesson learned.

Be Careful What You Wish!

  For a while, (well, all spring), we have had more than our share of rain. It seemed that it rained most every day and sometimes all day...and night.  The ground was soggy and made for some rough gardening. Still since I love rainy days, I did not complain.  Besides!  With all of that rain, the temperatures stayed relatively cool.  It was nice!  Then summer hit!  Today...wham!

  For the past week, no rain fell on the garden.  The plants that had survived the deluge, now seemed to struggle even more with the heat. This afternoon, I could not help myself.  I dragged out the hose and started watering everything in sight.  I hated to see even one wilted leaf. This seemed to be an ominous harbinger of what might be our summer. Hot and dry.  I made the passing remark several times earlier that "I sure wish it would come up a thunderstorm!"  Be careful what you wish, my friend, be careful what you wish.

After the storm.

  Late this evening, a thunderstorm did roll across the Bayou. With it came lightning and some really high winds.  As I sat in the living room staring out the window at the Bayou, I suddenly heard a strange grinding noise. Uh, oh!  I knew that sound.  That, dear folks, was the sound of a pine tree being twisted by the wind.  I could hear the green wood splintering as the tree twisted and turned.  Then, snap!  Down came the top of the tree.  The wind had twisted off the tree just about twenty feet up from the ground.  Crash!  It landed in the top of a nearby tree.  Well, now!  That was interesting to watch!

  Now we have a dilemma on our hands.  The tree broke too high to reach with the chainsaw and with it dangling precariously in the other tree, it is far too dangerous to try to bring down.  I suppose the tree will have to stay put until it rots or another gale flits through the area. Perhaps the next storm will bring it to the ground. Until then...stay safe, folks!

Rock-a-bye Baby Moon!

  This evening like every evening, I took Ms. Ez out for her nightly doggie run.  There was a slight southerly breeze making the 50 something temperature feel a lot colder than it really was.  When that wind changes around from the north to the south during winter, it is cold..really cold here on the Bayou.  Since the water temperature is cold, when the wind whips across the Bay, it chills to the bone.  I stood at the gate shivering. The sky was clear and the a sliver of moon gave a soft glow to the sky. That moon is what caught my eye enough to make me stand out there a bit longer with the camera in hand.

  Granted it is not a clear photograph but it is intriguing.  The branches of a hickory tree seemed to be cradling the moon as it slept. How sweet! The resting babe of the moon was being rocked by the wind gently swaying the tree limbs.  The moon is a waxing crescent just four days from the new moon.  It is on its way to becoming a full moon again this next month.  Rock-a-bye Baby in the treetop!

How to Kill a Tree.

It is rare to find how-to information about killing something but here on this blog..anything goes. Today's subject.."How to Kill a Tree". The best way that I have found to slay that pesky tree is to strangle it! By now, if you have not figured out that I am being totally facetious here then you are not familiar with my way of thinking. I definitely am not one that goes around killing trees..I am one that even fusses when Hubby cuts out dead ones! I am always certain that some form of life uses that tree! This does however make it quite difficult to acquire firewood! I usually cede and let him cut the dead trees. And notice that I said "usually"..there are times that I am just positive that a dead tree has a flying squirrel nest inside and with that, I refuse to let him saw it down! The dead tree stands..the squirrels keep their home..and Hubby hunts elsewhere for firewood! (And I am happy!)

The whole point of this "kill a tree" thing is to NOT do things that will eventually harm or kill the tree. Today when I was out wandering about the hill, I came across a tree with a large fissure in the side. At first glance, I thought this was a natural occurring incident brought on by perhaps storm or fire damage as some point in the poor tree's life. I was fascinated by the gaping hole in the side of the tree. It started at the ground and rose well above my head. Inside the hole, the inner part of the tree had rotted out and was a haven for insects, grub worms and lizards. There were also some small vines that had taken root inside the poor tree. On closer inspection, I was almost heartbroken that the tree had suffered an indignant injury. This gaping wound had not been an act of Mother Nature..it had been caused by human hands. Whoever had damaged the tree probably did it not out of malice but of ignorance. Near the top of the deep chasm a hefty wire protruded the bark. Some time ago..years by the looks of it..someone had nailed a wire to the tree. Most likely this was either used as a fence, clothesline or dog run cable. As the tree tried to grow, it encased the nail and wire but the damage to the bark and inner layers of the tree had been done. Insects, moisture and bacteria entered the body of the tree and started a slow death. The tree was rotting from the inside. If trees and plants feel pain, I am quite certain that this tree was in agony. I ran my hand along the wire..it was still firmly attached. There was no way for me to pull it out. The damage was done..there would be no healing this tree. I just patted the tree and apologized for the stupidity of humans.

Just a hint..if you must..absolutely must..attach a wire, cable or even a rope to a tree..check it often. There needs to be room for the tree to grow and even to move. Remove the tether when you are finished securing whatever you were using the wire for in the first place. As with the strangling of anything..death follows. Sometimes, as in this instance, a slow death.

Coming and Going

Out early..down to the pier..too cold! The wind this morning was down right bitter! Ezzy and I decide it was far too cold to sit out in the open so we headed back to the house to find the only spot that was out of the wind. Here we could not view much of the sunrise but were forced to look at things in a bit different way. In front of me was an old hickory tree. In the Fall, it had been gorgeous..golden from limb to limb, but now was laid bare. Nary a leaf adorned the branches. It was cold and stark..barren..but in some strange way quite beautiful. The branches splayed out from the trunk like a huge hand reaching for the sky. To all appearances it looked dead..as if all life had gone from it. I thought to myself..it is only asleep.. hibernating! It shall awaken again come spring. I had to wait until the sun was full in the sky to photograph the tree but by early dawn it was most interesting and most thought provoking. These trees give so much life with their hickory nuts and protective branches, it seems odd to see them so vulnerable to the wind.

Then beside me, another remnant of the Fall. The once brilliant goldenrod was now soft fluff. The wad of seeds was just waiting to be strewn by some unsuspecting animal or bird or even by a good gust of wind. Then my garden will be ablaze with gold come next Fall! That is a happy thought..natural reseeding! Now if I could only get my vegetable garden to get the same idea! The rising sun illuminated it reminding me of a torch of white! Haha, a fluffy white torch..I told you that I had a vivid imagination! Here was a reminder that life goes on..what seems to have died, yet lives. The root of this plant will produce new shoots come the warmth of Spring. It, too, gives so much. The goldenrod is an herb with wonderful healing properties. It is much maligned as a plant..often being labelled as an allergy-causing weed. Most people will immediately remove it from the garden.

I say..leave it be! This plant can only help us all! Plus! The beauty of the golden spikes perk up any

garden! I do concede that I am perhaps the only gardener that loves to see these "weeds" pop their little heads out of the ground each year. I like them! And if you remember rightly, we had an abundance of butterflies that appreciated the blooms, also. The "flying flowers" add a tremendous amount of color to the garden as well! Think of how ugly most roadsides would be without the brilliance of the goldenrod bobbing above the sea of purple ageratums!

By this time, Ms. Ez and I were shaking in our boots! My goodness! It sure seemed cold! Even out of the wind, I was chilled to the bone! It was time to head back inside, I guess viewing the sunrise was out of the question. Ezzy had lost all interest in chasing the squirrels and was trying to sit as close to me as possible. I would move a bit and she would inch closer and closer until she was right against me again. I will admit that the body heat she was producing was welcome but..ummm.. let's just say she really needed a bath! A hasty retreat to the front door and one last look to the East gave me an interesting perspective of the dawn. The sun was framed between pines and even though, I did not get the effect of the light on the water, I do like this shot! Somehow, each sunrise is more spectacular that the previous! Or maybe, it has something with that perspective stuff! Doesn't matter..I am about to the point that is the solitude of an early morn that does the body and mind good! (On mornings like today, solitude was definite!)

Brr! I am glad I have woodburning stoves! After being out in the cold, they give off a very welcoming warmth! The parlor stove we refurbished was having problems with smoking every time we used it so we pulled it out again. The problem was discovered! The stovepipe was too long and was blocked off. The smoke was literally being reverted back into the stove! After much discussion, lots of pondering, two pinched fingers, several trips to the local supply store and a few grunts and groans the parlor stove is back in action! I am quite sure this did not come without a few thoughts of tossing the stove out the door. My husband wonders what possesses me at times like this! "Why in the world must you have THIS stove?" I just do..that is why! This time it was installed correctly and has not smoked in at all. This little stove really puts out the heat for its small size. It was made in Gadsden, Alabama in the mid 1800's and is highly ornate. The sides are embellished with ivy vines and there are acorns and oak leaves on it, also. The name of "Florence" is proudly displayed across the front. That is about all I know of the origin of the little parlor stove but I do know that I absolutely adore it! Joanna will be delighted to know it is finally burning brightly! She keeps my woodburning stoves well stocked and keeps this old house very cozy!

The parlor stove is in the dining room, (which seems strange, but I have no parlor) while in the living room we have a large stove. This one is a bit different as it is made on the order of a kitchen stove. It has two cook plates and a large oven. This is the stove that bakes the best sweet potatoes ever cooked! On very cold days, I would rather put a pot of soup or chili on top and maybe potatoes or cornbread in the oven than cook on my electric range. There is just something about cooking this way that seems to make the food taste much better. Perhaps it is just the slow cooking or maybe I am just a tad more attentive of what I am making. A beef stew might just be in the making soon! Maybe that will make up for all the hassle of the parlor stove! Hubby will be happy again!