Light Explosion!

  Well, our first day without fog nor rain and I cannot make it outside for a hike.  I was busy cleaning house starting at 5am.  You know...gotta have that house tidy just in case somebody shows up for the holidays.  The fact is...if you clean house, nobody will come.  Leave it messy and everybody and his brother will make an appearance.  Maybe that is why I cleaned....ulterior motive...no guests.  But, still, the sun peeped out and made things outside bright and merry.

  Just as the sun was peeping over the tops of the pines near the marsh, I was vacuuming the living room rugs.  I looked up just in time to see the sunrays shooting through the window where my crystals hang.  Oh, my!  While there was nary a rainbow dancing on the walls, the golden light exploded through the crystals.  A golden aura engulfed the room like never before.  The camera was within reach so I snapped a few photos before the sun shifted.  Golden rings, shooting rays and red orbs were captured.  The unusual image sort of speaks volumes about my mood this holiday season.  I will make it...I will make it.

Cold and Gray

   I was out at daybreak trying to cover and secure things for the hard freeze tonight.  I knew I had to get it in gear and get it done before the rains set in for the day.  After covering the garden the best I could, filling the woodbins with a hefty supply of logs and cutting enough kindling to keep those fires going, I felt that my tasks were about complete.  I headed inside to bake.  To me, there is nothing more satisfying than baking on a cold, rainy/sleeting day.  The rain did turn to sleet for a good bit of the time but the oven going was a happy thought.  Cream cheese croissants and broccoli/mozzarella rolls were being turned out like clockwork!  Amazing aromas were wafting from the kitchen!

  Along about midafternoon, I noticed something strange.  The "quiet noise" of the sleet stopped and the windows started brightening.  Aha!  Perhaps the nastiness was just going to turn to cold now!  Wandering into the living room, I noticed the crystals hanging in the window.  There were no "rainbows" shooting around the room.  In fact, there was gray.  Things looked gray just like outside.  It looked cold.  Well, time to close the curtains, turn on the lamps and make things at least look cozy!  Stay warm, folks.  Mother Nature wants to see you wear your heavy coats!

Pretty Little Visitor

  Early this morning, the garden was in dire need of a bit of water.  As I was doing my best to save the plants, I caught sight of something in the window of the living room. Well, now this needed to be investigated.  The hose was attached to the sprinkler and I dragged the ladder to the window.  Since our house sits about three feet above the ground and I am quite short, that ladder is used often.  Once I was up almost to the top rung of the step ladder, I realized that it was a moot point.  What I thought was a critter stuck between the window screen and the actual window was really inside the house!  Down the ladder I went.

  Inside, I gently pulled back the curtain to find a beautiful adult antlion!  These thing always give me a thrill as I rarely see them.  "Oh, my!  Little one, you cannot stay in here."  After a few photos, I eased my hand next to the antlion and it readily climbed aboard.  Well, that was easy.  Slowly, ever so slowly, I made my way to the door.  I surely did not want to frighten the poor thing so it took flight.  Adult antlions are rather delicate creatures and catching it while the creature fluttered about could injure it.  Still, it needed to be outside.  So..the door was opened and I stepped outside.  The critter stayed put on my hand.  "Ok, you can go now!  Fly away!  You are free!"  Nope.  The bug did not want to leave my hand.  Finally, after much coaxing and a gentle nudge, the sweet antlion took off in its whirlygig type flight.  It flew to the eaves of the house and landed.  

  This antlion is known as a Glenurus gratus or Tree-dwelling Antlion.  The common name comes from the fact that the larvae live in nooks of trees instead of making funnel-shaped traps in sand.  The larvae eat ants and other critters that climb about in trees while the adults feast mainly on caterpillars and aphids.  This adult antlion is one of my favorites because I rarely get to see an insect with pink wing tips!  The pretty little visitor does need to stay outside, however!

Rainy Days and Fake Windows

  Since it was a nice, drizzly day here on the Bayou, it was the perfect day to be "do-less".  This was a phrase that Mom used whenever she had the "not feeling like accomplishing" attitude which was not often.  It is the same way here but, for the life of me, I just could not find things to do after the daily chores were done.  So, the old dog and I headed to the greenhouse to piddle around doing nothing.  He piled up on his old rug and I sat in the chair pondering anything and everything.  In reality, this was more an escape than an actual desire to be in the greenhouse during the rain.  Still, it was nice...doubly nice because there was no phone, no people, no anything...just me, an old dog intent on sleeping the day away and the clue hunt decoration "Lady DeadMadam".

  As I sat watching the rain, it occurred to me how peaceful it was being shut off from the world for a while.  I could get used to this!  It also occurred to me that I have no ordinary greenhouse.  Son built the thing for me using a bunch of old windows, some discarded bricks and a load of boards.  I. being me, decorated it.  Yep, it is filled with an eclectic bunch of oddities.  One of the things that made it to the greenhouse just did not fit in too well with the Little Bayou House.  The greenhouse, on the other hand, seemed to be the perfect place for a faux stained glass window.  Faux in this case meaning fake glass, fake stained glass and fake quality work.  It is something I did long ago for a elementary school party decoration.  It stayed in the classroom for the remainder of the year and then came back home.  Until the greenhouse was built, the panel stayed hidden in the back of a closet.  Then!  Out it came to adorn the greenhouse window and it looks perfectly at home,  Today, especially, the window looked nice.  

  There is just something about hearing the rain on the rooftop, being with the old dog and knowing the world can do without you for a little while.  A greenhouse is the perfect place to be.

Be a Little Funky-Weird!

  You know, sometimes you just have to get a little (or a lot, in my case) funky-weird and not fret over what others think.  I have long been this way and, well, I as happy as a centipede in a rotten cantaloupe.  And, trust me on this, centipedes love their rotten cantaloupes!  As for worrying what others think?  Who cares?  I have lived long enough not to give a plug nickel about others' opinions of me.  I do what I want to do and feel as free as a bird.

  This morning, I awoke to no sunrise.  In fact, there was a torrential downpour happening complete with thunder, lightning and wind.  It is amazing how invigorating a good storm is!  But it was yesterday's rising that was rather unique.  After another nigh on sleepless night due to the old dog's yelping in pain and many trips to go out on walks with him in the middle of the night, I had no energy to hike to the pier.  The sunrise would have to be viewed from indoors.  I rolled over and was fully entranced by the sunlight coming through the windows.  Even though thick canvas curtains blocked out the full sunrise, the effect was pretty intriguing. 

  Behind that thick canvas curtain hangs dozens of crystals.  Had the curtain been open, the sunbeams would have had rainbows bouncing about the walls but, alas, the curtain was closed.  The silhouettes of the crystals were impressive enough but the fact that the crystals were still able to push a few tiny irises through the canvas showed determination (if, indeed, inanimate objects could have determination!).  It was that determination that kicked me out of bed with a renewed sense of being.  I figured its not what you see on the horizon that makes your day but how you look at what is in front of you.  

  Just like the sunrises when viewed from the pier, the silhouettes inspired me.  I had things to do! I had things to see!  I had to be a little bit funky-weird!  So, I jumped out of bed and decided today was the day that I would start my costume for the Sixth Annual Clue Hunt on the Bayou!!  With the theme of a masquerade ball, this should be fun for all!  Time to get that ballgown sewn!  And, yes, it will be a bit funky-weird!

Oh, the things I do!

    I was not feeling up to par this evening.  Hard work caught up with me and I had sore muscles.  After pushing a lawnmower for three hours this morning plus doing a lot of painting, my shoulders hurt, my legs felt like a ton of bricks and I was dead tired.  Then, my brother's sweet girlfriend sent me a message that Dear Brother wanted me to take a photograph of the full moon tonight.  Well, I did what was requested of me.  I got up, slipped on my shoes and headed down to the pier.  Just for Dear Brother, I braved all sorts of monsters!  I mean, my goodness!  There could have been ghosties, ghoulies and long-leggedy beasties out there!  Not to mention a cottonmouth.  Still, I went.  I took the photograph and came back to the Little Bayou House.

  After I got back inside, I realized that this was the night of the Blue Moon....actually the last Blue Moon of 2018.  Well, that was special!  So, I needed more photographs for Dear Brother.  That said, I did not really want to go all the way back down to the pier but I got a brilliant idea!  With all of the work being done on the house as of late, we have a set of scaffolding set up on the south side of the house.  Well, perfect!  I opened the window and climbed out onto the scaffolding!  Perfect view of the brilliant moon!  Of course, anyone who may have seen me climbing out the window may have thought I was nuts but I had to get a photograph of that moon!  By this time it was almost an obsession!  

  Needless to say, now that I am back inside, the body is being racked with aches and pains....BUT!  I got that photograph for my brother!  Oh, the things I do....for my brothers!  I sure hope they appreciate their baby sister!

Better Be Careful!

  The small critters of the Bayou had better be careful as a rather large predator is stalking the place.  I was painting on those windows once again when I heard a familiar sound.  Just outside the window in a nearby pine tree, a Bald Eagle was making its "rusty wheel" call.  This is what the bird's cry sounds like to me.  I remember the iron wheels on the old hay wagon back on the farm sounding a lot like an eagle's cry.  Once I heard the call, I stared out the window to see the eagle so very close to the house.  Geez!  I am glad Ms. Nycto, the Bayou Princess Cat, was inside!  I knew if I opened the door to take a photograph, the eagle would be long gone so an attempt at taking a picture through the window glass is all I could do. 

  While Bald Eagles are usually fish eaters, they will (and do!) dine upon small critters such as rabbits, squirrels, snakes and any other animals that are available.  The ones around here seem to be opportunistic and would rather steal a nice mullet from the osprey than catch their own but I have often seen them dive near the Bayou.  Still, the squirrels and birds were in a tizzy with the large visitor in "their" territory.  The bird feeders had been well stocked earlier this morning so, if the eagle had wanted, it could have easily had supper.  

  Personally, I think the eagles are searching for a quieter nesting grounds.  For years now, the birds have been nesting on the island across the Bayou but the place is full of construction work and the birds are having to vacate their home.  I am in hopes that the two pairs of eagles will find the Bayou and woods behind the Little Bayou House as promising nesting sites.  It would be nice to have them here. Hopefully, the pair of eagles will linger and I can get some beautiful photographs of them.  BUT...the other critters need to be careful! 

Pretty Little Window

   On my early morning hikes about the hillside, I like to look for things that are often overlooked by others.  Whether it be a mossy knoll, a lichen covered tree or perhaps just colored pebbles on the pathway.  I feel all of these things are there for a reason and what better reason than for me to marvel.  A lot of folks have remarked that I dwell in my own little fantasy world and, in a way, that is true.  If I revel in the mystique of the Bayou, then I can escape from all of the drama of the worldly folks.  It probably would not take much shoving for me to move lock, stock and barrel to some remote location where I would not be bombarded by technology and busybody people.   

  This morning, Mr. PJ, the soon-to-be true Bayou Dog, joined me on a quick jaunt around the hillside.  Rain threatened at any moment so our leisurely stroll took on an air of urgency.  Even with his arthritic limbs, he fairly galloped beside me.  He could feel the excitement as could I!  Every so often, he would stop to sniff where some wild, unknown critter had been just hours earlier.  An armadillo had dug divots in its search for grubs.  A raccoon raided the wild persimmon tree again and dropped dozens of the little golden nuggets to the ground.  Two baby otters squeaked in the marsh.  Life was good for the old dog and I enjoyed seeing him explore.

  Down on the east side of the property where the shore meets the Bayou, I found something that intrigued me.  While PJ mosied nearby in search of new scents, a gap in the branches drew my attention. Through this window, I could see all the way across the Bayou to the opposite shore.  The dim morning light lit the area as if it were a stage.  I half expected some magical creature to come waltzing across the marsh at any moment.  None did, to my dismay, but I was still enthralled...creature or not.  

  The window was framed by yaupon and oak branches.  Beyond those, a small sliver of water surrounded by sedge grass and marsh.  Then in the far distance, cord grass was backed by groundsel bushes.  FInally, the tall pines stood watch over all.  The layering effect was marvelous!  My pretty little window provided by nature!

Live and Let Live

  The wasps have it.  Here on the Bayou, if they leave me alone, they can be free to live and thrive.  I do not care for the rascally type that will attack at the drop of a hat and that make their nests in places that put us in danger.  Others, such as the thread-waisted bunch, can thrive if they so please. I have no qualms about having them here since they are quite the hunters and pollinators.

  Today while I was once again toting water to Mark and Son, I noticed two "bees" in the window of the entryway.  I made a mental note to free the critters since they were trapped between the screen and window panes.  This was no life for any critters but before I set them free, I decided to photograph them.  Even though they were trapped like sitting ducks, the photography session did not go well.  These "ducks" were not sitting!  The wasps were speeding around the window screen in a tizzy!  Not once did they stop long enough for the camera to get a clear photograph. They were frantic with their desire to be free to do wasp-like things that could not be achieved in the confines of their prison.  They could feel freedom as the breeze wafted through the screen.  They could see freedom as the garden was within their reach. They knew that freedom could be attained if they just found that elusive hole in the screen.  It was not there. So, I closed the door to the main part of the house and opened the door leading outside.  Now for the big release!  I raised the window fully expecting the wasps to fly about the room.  Nope.  They continued to race about the screen.  Well now.  It took me going outside and tapping on the window screen to make them lose their obsession.  Once they left the screen, they could see the bigger picture and made a quick zoom for the open door.  Funny thing, though, you often see videos of critters coming back to thank their rescuers but these guys took off and never looked back.  So, that is the thanks I get!!

  These two wasps seem to be of the Mason Wasp family.  I tentatively identified them as the Red and Black Mason Wasps.  Sounds good giving their coloring!  Mason Wasps are quite beneficial so my rescuing them will eventually prove to be more than just a humane thing to do. These wasps are not overly eager to sting like paper wasps.  They are not aggressive which is why I could safely release them.  Be free, little Red and Black Mason Wasps, be free!

Sometimes simpler is better

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that one can soon tire.  The hectic pace, the overwhelming "need" to buy and the constant barrage of activities can outweigh the peacefulness of the season.  This year with most of my family away, things will be different.  My son, Michael, suggested that we simplify things.  So we pared down the gift list and only used a minimal of decorations.  He said he was growing weary of the glitz and glitter that always seemed to come with the Christmas Season. "Lets get back to the Bayou, Mom."  This statement made me realize that perhaps I had been snagged by the commercialism of the whole deal.  That said, we made most of the decorations or used only those that were highly sentimental for some reason.  The shiny glass baubles and glitzy metallic tinsel stayed packed in the closet.  At first, I was a hesitant. I needed my gaudy lights strung from the eaves!  I had to have the bright garland draped on the mantel!  I wanted bright bows and colorful paper wrapped around packages!  I must have lots and lots of packages that held the most unuseful items to be found on the shelves of every store!  Yes, I had reservations about this simpler Christmas.

Now that I have settled into the idea of having things be a bit more like the Bayou, itself, I find that I am enjoying it far more than I expected.  The rustic, country Christmas has fallen on the Little Bayou House like a cozy comforter.  I am happy to have a few well placed adornments instead of the bombardment of decorations.  There is something to be said for time spent with family while making paper snowflakes.  It was peaceful, loving time and isn't that what the Christmas Season should be?  Peaceful and loving?  Sometimes simpler is better.  Sometimes you have to give up a lot to understand more.  Sometimes all you need is right within your reach.  Sometimes you should listen to your kids.