It has to be done...

   There is something to be said about old things and old people.  We both have a lot to teach others if they would only listen before it is too late.  Time is of the essence.  There are only so many days that we can teach those who are to follow after us and, to be honest, most do not wish to learn what is offered.  Sadly, with time growing short, the knowledge will die without ever being  passed along.  Not that I have much to offer and it does seem to be moot point to be blathering on about it, but one can only wish that the wisdom that comes with age is not wasted.  

  I was pondering that point as I meandered about the pathways behind the canebrake.  Time is of the essence...why am I so adamant about passing along what I have learned from the critters and about the plants of the Bayou?  Who cares?  Not many.  Then, I came across a sprawling tree that for years when identified by the wrong name.  Once I learned of the correct name, I was elated.  I was also elated to find that the blooms are sought after by honeybees.  From that point forward, I was bound and determined to leave every Swamp Cyrilla that I find.  They shall grow wild and free and be a draw for the bees,  In this day and time with folks dousing everything with chemicals, the bees are suffering.  If the Swamp Cyrilla can help, then I am happy to have the trees.  Today, the tree was loaded with long strands of seeds.  These seeds told me that the bees had, indeed, visited.  Now, perhaps the seeds will sprout to make more trees and that circle of life can continue for the bees.

  It is small things like this that need to be taught to those who will take over our spots on this old earth.  It is not for those "ancient ones" like me who have limited time but for those yet to come.  These are tidbits of information that should get passed along before it is too late.  It has to be done.  Yet, the "teacher" has no "students">

Hand-me-down Knowledge

  You know, this quarantine stuff really got me to thinking today.  I was in the midst of a bake-fest, when it occurred to me that not everyone has the knowledge of how to even bake a loaf of bread if needed.  Although it is not a hard thing at all, it does require a wee bit of good old-fashioned "know how".   That "know how" is merely the hints and tips that have been passed down from generation to generation.  Most of these tips are not written but were taught by hands on experience.  Most baked goods follow a general recipe and have "add ins" for flavor.  Because of this, die-hard bakers can whip up a loaf of bread without ever cracking a cookbook or, nowadays, looking for a recipe on the Internet.  It just comes natural.  

  Thinking back on it, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors all had a hand in making sure I had a good solid background when it came to survival.  One of the utmost lessons was to be able to grow, cook and preserve food.  It seemed to be the thing to do.  Teach kids to have a smattering of knowledge about everything.  Fix a broken pipe?  Got it!  Tune a carburetor? No problem!  Bake a loaf of bread?  Sure thing!  Fillet a fish?  Hand me the knife!  Mend a shirt? I can do this!  The list goes on and on. We were a generation of kids that COULD!  What happened along the way?    I am sure glad my three adult kids have that "smattering" and are not afraid to try anything!  They know how to survive when the going gets tough.

A Bit of Wisdom

  Not much happening here on the Bayou other than chores.  I do not mind as chores give me plenty of time to think and to reflect on how things truly are.  My uncle used to have a couple of sayings about things like this "We talk (think) about things, take them apart, put them back together again and then turn them around to suit ourselves."  and "No matter how hard you try, you will never satisfy some folks. Don't try."  It makes sense in a weird sort of way.  

  As I was pondering all the complex things that normally stay hidden in the dark recesses of my mind where they collect cobwebs and become obscure, a sudden realization came to me.  Why do I give problems a rat's tail chance of worrying me?  I am happy here on the Bayou. I am happy being who I am.  I am happy doing the things I do. Mark and I are happy together.  So why fret about anything else?  Sometimes it takes a while for good advice to sink into my brain.

  That settled, I set back to work on clearing the flower gardens.  Uncle Alfred was right all along.  Just setting things straight in my mind made all the difference in the world.  Thanks for the good advice Uncle Alfred. I sure miss our talks.