Once again my Hummingbird feeder needs refilling. It has been visited by two hummers every day and either they’re drinking a lot or my feeder is leaking. Whichever, it needs refilling. As I’m writing this, I see a little bird whizzing by the feeder probably waiting for breakfast We had one rainy day or part of one last week here and it was wonderful, but that was it. Not a drop since. I don’t go very far these days in my car but wherever I do go the highway has puddles of fresh water. A friend, not entirely seriously suggested that maybe living on Belle River somehow made the rain not fall here, as if the river water might somehow influence the moisture in the air. Maybe he has a point!
I’ve spoken to several sport fishermen/people at the Belle River landing and all have said the fishing was not very good. One man said he caught one tiny fish. The other just shrugged. Nobody has caught any sharks since the one I was told about although when I mentioned that, most people just sort of laughed.
The Belle River pontoon bridge going across the river at Paizano’s has some sort of leveling mechanism but it is not instantaneous, so each day as you cross the bridge ramps go up or down. Usually not much of a change but it’s worth being a little careful when approaching. I’ve seen outboard motors leave a shower of sparks behind them. Nowadays, most boats around here are the air cooled type — ugly things I think, but pretty popular and useful in the shallow waters.
Chair Yoga was held last week in the Belle River Community Center. Now that the weather is moderating a little, there are more people walking the trail at the Belle River Community Center. Several Yoga ladies head out for a walk after they finish the Yoga class. If you should come to either session, make sure you check out the Little Free Library on the center porch. It has some good books. I’ll be adding more. You can always put some in if you’re just passing by. Take a book, leave a book. Or two . Or three.
Bingo for Seniors was cancelled Oct. 7 but will be back on Oct. 21. The new host, Deborah Gaspard is doing a great job but she had several prior commitments before agreeing to the Bingo. Once her schedule settles, the Bingo games will be every first and third Tuesday of each month.
My Golden Rain Tree is about to blossom and it will be spectacular as always. My Bauhinia or Orchid Tree is also thriving and I just hope it doesn’t get hit with a freeze this year. My Meyer Lemon is kaput~ I keep checking the old one for some new growth but there is none. When I do get into the yard I continually find something missing. My granddaughter sent me a picture of an Orchid Cactus blooming at her house and my daughter has one also, but the one I once had is gone.
I just reread Under the Flaming Sky by Daniel James Brown. It was as good as the first read. I’m waiting for another ILL book about the National Parks. Meanwhile I’m enjoying one of the first Robert Parker books about Jesse Stone. Not a terrific book but good reading. Another is a little one called Two Old Women by Athabaskan author Velma Wallis. About two old Eskimo women who had been abandoned by their tribe when starvation threatened the group and the old women could not contribute any longer. The two sat about and felt sorry for themselves then decided to do something so they trekked across the Arctic snow using old skills as they went and eventually returned to their tribe. The premise of being old and not giving up sort of appeals to me these days.
Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lindacooke1939@ gmail.com.
