Bayous

September 25bayous;bayou teche;breaux bridge

I am thankful for bayous. A bayou is defined as a slow moving river, generally in marshy areas. They are commonly found around the low lying areas near the Gulf of Mexico or in the Mississippi River basin. Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and East Texas have many bayous. I think Florida may also in the southern regions. Bayous are similar to rivers but romantically, you think of brackish water, Spanish moss draped trees, marsh, and alligators. Bayous evoke a Cajun culture.

This photo is of Bayou Teche at Breaux Bridge. The gazebo on the left is on the Visitor Center's grounds. Monday's (Sept 23) photo was taken on the bridge over Bayou Teche. This photo was taken looking south from the bridge at sunset. Bayou Teche begins in Port Barre, Louisiana, and flows 125 miles to Berwick, where it empties into the Atchafalaya River.

The poem below is composed of the lyrics from my attempt at writing a Cajun song many years ago. I love the spirit of Cajun music but I've never lived on the bayou, nor had a Cajun girlfriend, so this song is not personal. But my wife was born in New Orleans, so that must count for something. The song was pretty far along but still unfinished (two verses were written), so I just finished it with the last verse and the chorus. 

cajun girlfriend

sittin’ by the bayou

waitin’ for the sun

if i catch some crawfish

i could have some fun

boil ‘em in the morning

eat ‘em at ten

save a pound or two

for my cajun girlfriend

chorus:

my cajun girlfriend

my cajun girlfriend

what more can this ole boy want

than life on the bayou

spiced with a cajun girlfriend

i’m just a poor boy

i know my worth

i’ll never ‘mount to anything

i know my worth

but in this ole world

if there’s anything i need

i’ll just catch it and cook it

or plant it from the seed

sittin’ by the bayou

pullin down my cap

after the work i’ve done

i just need a nap

sleep for an hour or two

wake up and then

have a little date

with my cajun girlfriend

repeat chorus

© rt tulley

Pathways

September 24Pathways,boardwalk,bluebonnet swamp

I am thankful for pathways. Pathways show us the way to get where we need or want to go. A path or a pathway is often very helpful and makes the going less cumbersome. Perhaps it is a road or path built by someone before you. They blazed the trail, so to speak. Or perhaps you are blazing your own trail and you are a pathfinder. The pathway is the one that you are  building. It is a much harder way but perhaps more rewarding. That's not to say using a standard pathway is a bad thing. I thank the engineers and builders that built our interstate highway system every time I have to travel distances. It is usually the fastest way to get somewhere. However, sometimes taking a less traveled road can take longer but can be more fun. 

As a biochemist, I am thankful too for metabolic pathways. These are sequences of enzymatic reactions in the body without which life would be impossible. When all is working well, these are highly controlled sequences which regulate every metabolic function of our bodies. When it gets out of kilter, our lives may be compromised.

Today's photo is of the boardwalk at the Bluebonnet Swamp in Baton Rouge. This lovely swamp is smack dab in the middle of town, with busy streets, offices, buildings, and houses surrounding it. It is a nice sanctuary from the rat race of daily living. This boardwalk leads you all around the nature trail. 

pathway

there must be a pathway

straight to your heart

but i’ve searched and searched

and done my part

well, not seeing path

i will blaze the trail

i will do whatever it takes

i will never fail.

© rt tulle

Signals

September 23signals,breaux bridge,bayou teche drawbridge signal

I am thankful for signals. Signals can be there to protect us, such as a railroad signal. They can make us aware of our surroundings and possible danger looming, such as an emergency signal. Or they can give us a hint from people about negative or positive feelings, like when someone looks at you and smiles or when someone looks distressed and you can try to lend an ear. For our benefit, we should be aware of the signals around us. 

This is a photo of the drawbridge signal light and bell at the Bayou Teche drawbridge in Breaux Bridge. This lights up and clangs when the bridge is preparing to raise so as to prevent people from driving their cars into it. I thought it was interesting.

signal

give me a signal

straight from your heart

whisper those sweet nothings

first from the start

i am open for ideas

i am ready for action

so out with it dear

let’s complete the transaction

then you look at me

ready to remove any doubt

you coyly blink your eyes and say

“don’t forget to take the trash out.”

© rt tulley