That Creek and I

When I wade again
into my childhood,
that creek trickles
into my memory.
Those sun sprinkled days
dance and twist
in my mind,
like that creek
wound through my life
and brought ripples of joy.
That creek and I were playful,
meandering around the bends
of existence.
Sometimes,
that creek and I
would whisper.
Sometimes,
we roared,
but were never stagnant.
We rambled on
until our mud and laughter
splashed into the river.

DO YOU WANT TO RISK A BAD WINTER?

We all know winter is on its way and I've heard lots of opinions of what winter will be and our opinions are probably as good as the weather man's, but would you like a opinion from an expert? I talked to a bear the other day(yes, I talk to all the animals) and he did give me some advice for winter, no matter what it's like.
First of all, he said to spend this fall eating. Eat a lot because fat is required to keep you warm.
Next, hibernate all winter long. Yes, sleep, sleep, sleep. In case you should wake up, keep eating.
Drink a lot of water. It will help you sleep.
He also said, "Be grumpy if you want to." Ok, I made that up. He was a brown bear, not a grizzly and he didn't mention my disposition.
He said, "Make lots of quilts to keep you warm." Ok, he really said to find a cave that has lots of leaves in it to keep you warm, but I don't like leaves in my caves, so I'm going with the quilts.
He did say, "When it's time, bounce out with spring."

BUGABOOS

You sure can tell it's election year. Notice all the conventions outside your door? Yes, the democrat/republican bugs(a.k.a. boxelder bugs) are gathering.
I hear the two contenders are Bugrock Obuga and Bit Bugmy. I think they are neck and neck. Anyway, I saw them racing up the side of my house, and they were pretty close.
I haven't heard a lot of yelling, but their ads are all over my windows. I even saw some in my mail.
There are files, er piles, of ladybugs, too. They are protesting and demanding women's rights. They dominated this scene last year and are demonstrating because these guys have moved into their territory.
I know they are starting to bug me. I'm going to have to upgrade my "Home Defense" and take care of them.

                                                     EXPLORE (Sunday Scribblings)

The canning is done and the mess is cleaned up. Now I need something new to explore.
I could explore new areas of my brain. They say we only use a part of our brains. Then how do we get to the uncharted parts? I need the storage space. The part I'm using is full and overflowing.
I could explore some new literature. Read something different than I usually read. But there again, I would need more brain space. If the story is indeed true about our using only a small portion of our brain(which I doubt), they need to come up with a tiny laser surgery to open the rest of it. Then we could be intelligent to the very last moment of life.
I could explore new territory. I've never been to Hawaii or Alaska.(hint, hint, Tom Gibson) I can probably forget about Alaska cause he got chilly HERE last week.
I could explore DANGER. I've been hearing stories of people hearing and seeing mountain lions in our area. I could meet one eyeball to eyeball. I'd like to have my Bowie knife at my side, no, in my hand, if I did.
I received a photo of "the biggest rattlesnake killed in Baldwin County, AL. Yeah, that's where we hang out when we go there. Goodbye, Baldwin County. The mountain lion might be a little bigger than that Eastern Diamondback(not much), but I'd rather face the mountain lion any day.
I'm ready for a new adventure. Any suggestions?

                          THE DROUGHT(Sunday Scribbles)

Years of living,
die,
as trees burn,
overbaked by the sun.

The crops wilt
like lettuce
topped with hot grease.

The birds' mouths
gape open
begging, begging
for a drink.

                        DROUGHT

Slowly burning from the roots up. From green to brown in a matter of days. Leaves are brittle and ears trying to produce kernels of corn are sparse and scattered. Across the road an irrigation rig is casting a rainbow as the sun shines on the water spraying out. Choking, dying, and only a few feet away.... life.. giving...water.
Oh, for a talisman to make it rain.

                                                    ASIAN CARP ATTACK (Sunday Scribblings)

Have you taken a boat ride down the Nishnabotna River lately? Talk about a shark attack. What about the Asian carp attack? Those fish can fly.
It's dangerous. It's funny. It's absurd. In some spots, there were hundreds of them jumping at once. One pounds you in the back, one socks you in the jaw, one slams you in the head. The boat is full. They flop on your shoes and slap your legs. If you don't get injured, you get slimed and have scales in your hair. Those jokers can weigh up to 50 pounds. If one that big hit you, it would knock you out of the boat.
I read these fish were brought in here to use to clean algae in commercial fish farms and sewage treatment plants. Due to releases or escapes caused by the floods, they have spread. Spread? They've taken over. This is one time the cure is worse than the disease.
So if you want some excitement, take a boat ride on the Nishna. If you were a swim suit, wear an old one. If you wear a suit of armor, it would be WISE not to fall in.