The waiting for an approaching tropical system is sometimes the hardest part. You scurry around all day preparing and then...wait. You wait for what seems like eons before the first gust hits or the first torrential downpour. You can either sit and wait or you can find things to fill the hours. I prefer to occupy my time even if it means meandering about the hillside.
Early this morning, I took the old dog out for an walk when I was bedazzled by the way the sun rays filtered through the trees. The sight made me stop and stare for a bit and then I realized that there was also some sort of tiny critters flying about in those sunbeams. Ok, so that meant I needed to investigate! What was flying hither thither in the morning sun??? I wish I had not investigated so closely, however. Those tiny dots of light in the photograph are mosquitoes! Hundreds and hundreds of mosquitoes had obviously been pushed out of the marsh with the high tides. They were up the hillside a bit playing in the sunlight but they sure did not like me interrupting them...or perhaps they did. I was literally attacked! Never get in the midst of a swarm of mosquitoes if you do not want dozens of bites. The old dog and I had to race back up the hillside and into the house.
So, one of the worst parts of waiting for the arrival of a hurricane is boredom. That boredom can lead to trouble and a lot of mosquito bites! The old dog and I have had to change our walking route to avoid the hoards of bugs down near the marsh. For the time being, we will be happy in the citrus orchard.
We are back to playing the "Waiting Game" as subtropical storm "Alberto" hovers directly below us. It is projected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and then do its stormy thing and may become a bit more organized. As of this moment, the Bayou is right smack dab in the middle of the projected path. But that is days out there and there is nothing we can do to speed it up or direct its path out to sea. Being a slow-moving storm does not sit well with me. I do not like them. The longer it lingers over open water, the better the chance of it strengthening. I would rather it hurry its little way on into shore. Lets get a move on, Alberto! Stop being such a slowpoke!
This morning, I was on the pier before daybreak. As is my custom, a good mug of coffee deserves a sunrise and a few minutes of introspection. Sitting alone on the pier can allow me to enjoy the beginning of a new day and all of its glories. This morning, the waters were calm and the clouds, although heavy, did not appear threatening. It was to be a peaceful day...I could feel it. As for the weekend? Nope, things are going to be on a downhill slide from today. This was sort of that proverbial "calm before the storm".
I am always amused by those who treat storms as something of frivolity until things start to worsen. Then, in a state of panic, they have second thoughts about what should have/could have been done to prepare. My motto is to "Always prepare for the worst but pray for the best" when it comes to these entities regardless if they come in as a tropical storm or raging hurricane. It has never hurt to be prepared. Yes, a lot of folks find it ridiculous that I prepare for each storm as if it will strengthen. That is fine by me. Those folks do not live where surge waters can knock at their door in a moment's notice. While the storms do not scare me, I do feel at least a bit more at ease knowing that I have a bit of water on hand, a few days meals ready to eat and supplies set in for the pets. During the next few days, we will continue to play the "Waiting Game", make those preparations and play it by ear. If things worsen, we will go into "hurricane mode" and step up the preparations. For now, however, I will enjoy the sunrise, seek a stronger inner peace and say a prayer for those that will be in the path of Alberto and any future storms.
Bright and early this morning, Mark and I meandered down to the pier. We had no intentions of fishing as chores were calling but it is always nice to start the day with the peace that the Bayou brings. This morning was no different. As he and I sat reveling in the beauty of nature, an osprey decided to pay us a visit. The bird had been gliding low across the water's surface then made a quick upwards flight to a dead limb on a pine tree. This pine tree happened to be close to the water's edge and near enough to us that we had a good view. As is my nature, I focused the camera on the graceful bird. The osprey stared at a me. "Do something spectacular, Osprey!" I commanded. Ha! Never try to order birds to do anything. It does not happen.
The bird sat on its limb and watched us. It did not fly. It did not flap its wings. It did not plummet to snatch a mullet. The bird sat. For nigh on a half hour, I kept hoping this osprey would be kind enough to put on a show for me. Nope, nary an interesting move out of the huge critter. It sat.
After a while (what seemed like ages), I tired of holding the camera focused on the bird. Those chores won out and we headed back up the hillside. As we left, the osprey let out a screech and flew to the west. "Hmm...you could not do that while I was watching, could you??" Another screech let me know that he thought he was much better at that waiting game! Well, I guess the bird sitting in a tree is spectacular enough for me. I am just happy it came to visit.
