I just finished reading a short story by James Michener in which he followed the life of a Pacific salmon from birth to death and then I turned on my TV this morning and there was a National Geographic show about the same salmon. Michener’s story featured one salmon and how it grew, survived and managed to return to its particular place to lay its eggs and then die. The TV program told of how this river was damned and the whole fishing industry was destroyed and the salmon almost disappeared but the natives along the river fought for 100 years until the dam was actually blown up and the whole cycle of salmon life was restored. Michener didn’t mention any of that but I probably should check the dates of the story and the dam and see how they happened in relation to one another.
If you’re not a reader I apologize but again I just read one of a collection of what was titled Survival Stories. I think that’s where the salmon story came from but another one of my favorites is To Build a Fire by Jack London about a man who did not believe that he was in danger of the cold in Alaska and trekked alone with only a dog in sub zero weather. At one point the man built a fire with his last match, got a small blaze going and too late, realized he had built it under a tree branch which heated and dropped snow on the fire, putting it out. I swear I actually moaned when that little fire was snuffed out.
Lately, I’ve been learning so much from my Cecilia friend about hummingbirds and now I’m learning about salmon. Just no end to things I didn’t know!
My hummingbird device to keep the ants away from the bird nectar appears to be made properly, but I haven’t seen a single little bird in a while. Books differ but it seems the Ruby-throated hummingbird that is common in Louisiana may have headed south for the winter and how far south is different in different books.
It is sunny this morning but the north wind is brisk and it’s chilly. I sprinkled bird seed on my deck and the cat is crouching inside by the glass door, tail twitching angrily as a bird hops just inches away. The glass is heavily tinted so the birds can’t see in but the cat can see out and is terribly stressed by the barrier.
Food for Seniors was Nov. 26 just one day before Thanksgiving which was nice. Bingo for Seniors will start again on Dec. 2 in the Belle River Community Center from 10 am to noon. Yoga for Seniors will start again on Dec. 2 at 5:45 p.m. and then on Wednesday morning, Dec.. 3 at 10 a.m. That schedule will continue until we hit the Christmas holidays and then maybe another break. In one class the ladies asked to try another video program next time so we will do that. It’s comfortable to do the same lesson multiple times but we felt maybe we should change a little. Maybe something a little more difficult. For any doubters out there, the yoga does seem to having a good effect on me. I’m sleeping better and when I’m driving I sit up straighter.
Thanksgiving for me is not much. My family is so scattered and as we have grown older, various members now have in-laws and children and grandchildren all over the country and many are heading to one family or another. Lack of family is probably the worst thing about living here. Actually, the only bad thing. I love it here but I do miss family. I remind myself, however, that I (and my husband) chose to live as we have and I’m not sorry about that. I’ve had an interesting life and plan to have lots more. So whevever you are, hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lindacooke1939@ gmail.com.
