Feeling Right At Home

  A lot can happen in just a few days.  Outside chores kept me from doing much in the greenhouse other than giving the plants a drink.  That changed this afternoon and I had about an hour to play in my favorite place. I repotted a few of the herbs, snipped back some of the old leaves and then settled in to watch a few of the critters that have made their homes among the plants.  Several large green anoles and one redheaded skink were having territorial spats on the philodendron while a green tree frog took a snooze on the watering can spout.  Then I heard the fluttering of the wren's wings.  Well, now!  I am sure glad that I waited to water the plants!

  The little wren had been on her nest in the hanging ivy basket the whole time I was working just inches away from her.  This is the same wren that has nested in the greenhouse for the past few years.  She has grown accustomed to my presence and does not even try to "escape".  We are friends.  She lets me check on the progress of her eggs and little ones and I try to help in small ways.  A saucer of fresh water was put on the shelf for her pleasure and the door will remain shut so she does not have to fret over predators.  We made sure to leave her a small opening near the roof so she can enter when she pleases. The greenhouse is the perfect place for her to raise her brood.  After she left, I checked her nest to find that she has been busy, indeed!  Five speckled eggs were in the nest.  Mama Wren will be in the greenhouse more often now so I have to remember not to startle her.  Watering the ivy will have to be scant.  There is no reason to soak the nest and Mama!

  It is times like this that I wish the grandlittles could be on the Bayou. There are so many things that could be learned first hand and so many memories that could be made.  That is not to happen, though, so I will have to document the process in photographs and share those with the kiddos.  All things happen for a reason, I suppose.  In the meantime, I am sure glad Mama Wren is back with me.

The Yellow Watering Can

  I fully believe that God gives us days just to think.  I find my "thinking" days are those where I work alone on some project.  Both of the menfolk of the Little Bayou House had a full day of reconstructing a side of the house that had been ripped off in search of termites.  (Trust me, Folks, if you think you have termites......you do.  Do something immediately!  Do not stick your head in the sand and deny the critters are eating you out of house and home.  They are.  Take action!)  Anyway, while the guys were hard at work rebuilding the house, I decided to do my best to stay out of their way.  This made them happy and gave me an entire day to garden and, thus, think.

  One of my gardening chores was to sow a bunch of the herb seeds. More Basil, Oregano, Fennel and Chive seeds were bedded.  After getting them all in their nice little pots, I reached for the watering can to give them a sprinkling.  As soon as my hand grasped the yellow can, a smile spread across my face.  Ahh, Sweet Daughter-in-law, Joanna, gave me the watering can several years ago. Granted, it is just a run of the mill can but it is mighty special to me.  It reminds me of her kindness as much as anything can.  You see, Joanna takes time to search for gifts that will be used by the recipient.  She cared enough to find out that I love gardening and would much rather be outside piddling in the plants, digging in the dirt or sowing the seeds than anywhere else on earth. With every sprinkle, that can literally sings of the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law!  Our love flourishes like a well-tended garden!

  The yellow watering can hangs on a hook on the garden fence.  There, it makes me think of Joanna every time I wander through.  Wouldn't it be grand if we could all find memories in most unusual and surprising places?  It does not take a lot to bring a smile if we only allow ourselves to be pleased in the moment.  Small pleasures are sometimes so much more delightful than the well-plotted event.  That said, it occurred to me that perhaps we should try each day to create a small pleasure for someone.  A handful of hastily picked posies for an elderly neighbor, a pan of fresh-baked cookies for the kid down the road or just a hand-written note to some friend faraway.  Take time to spread a smile.  And that, my friends, reminds me of another gift from Sweet Joanna.  She once gave me a lovely, little picture with the quote "Happiness is like jam. You cannot spread it around without getting some on yourself." That makes a lot of sense.  And there you go...make jam for the neighbors that are down on their luck.  You will not only give them a lift but you will spread a little of that good feeling on yourself.  The memories of these good deeds are like that yellow watering can.  They are bright, useful and just downright cheery.  Smile, be happy, share that happiness and get a bit of jam on yourself!  It will feel great!