Life is pretty quiet over here these days. And the weather is absolutely gorgeous. On the levee every afternoon, my friends and our four dogs are enjoying the moderate temperatures, no wind and reasonably short grass. I’m so happy to report that the levee batture in the area where we gather has not been defaced by ATV traffic though there are signs of some vehicles. Fortunately, the weather has been dry enough to apparently discourage the people who drive and make ruts and holes in the grass.
Crawfish season is in full swing. I don’t have much information on the quantity or quality of the crawfish. Somebody told me the price to the fisherman had dropped to $1.75 a pound but that might not even be close. Historically, the price, whatever it is, will drop after Easter. I don’t see crawfish-sack loaded boats passing but I see the vehicles at the parking lot and hear them passing on the road early.
There have been times when the boats passing my house and/ or at the Belle River landing have been piled high with filled crawfish sacks, but I don’t see that this year at all. The buying stands on Hwy. 70 going into Pierre Part show signs of activity, but no long lines of fishermen waiting for weighin.
The Purple Martins are busily nesting and raising families but I’m struck by the lack of other birds. I do see two hummingbirds at my feeder, and doves on the deck, but I have not seen a single Cardinal nor any Mockingbirds. Lots of Eagles. I worried so much when the Martins were late arriving but now with the scarcity of other birds, I wonder if the weather has had some influence on them. It just seems that there aren’t many birds in general around these days.
A fellow who lives on the levee told me he has seen three or four coyotes near his camp and here, too. I wonder if I’m just not seeing them or the guy doesn’t know a coyote from a stray dog!
The Belle River Community Center is busy these days being rented for birthdays, et al. It’s a nice place. Clean, well lighted, with access to the walking trail and playground equipment. The new exercise equipment is now usable. A nice new bench has been installed along the walking trail. The Litte Free Library by the building seems to be used frequently. I straighten the books now and then in the box and notice new ones there.
Next Food for Seniors will be April 24. The Second Harvest people are very proactive, checking on recipients occasionally. The paperwork is smoothing out.
I believe the Recreation District is having a meeting in the Belle River Community Center on April 28 at 5:30 pm. These meetings are public so stop in if you want.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and CAS (Child Advocacy Services) is again offering their pinwheels for the Plant, Potect, Prevent program. I put the pinwheels I purchase in my yard, mostly around a cypress tree near the road. I tell people who are looking for my house to just look for the shiny spinning pinwheels. Over the year, some get blown away but I always have one or two still spinning away.
I don’t mean to use this column to promote CAS but anything I can do to help children taken from their homes because of abuse get some help is worth some attention. I’m sure there is a CAS contact for the St. Martin area.
Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lindacooke1939@ gmail.com.
