Baja St. Martin

The price of crawfish went up to $1 a pound a few days ago and now I hear it’s back to 75 cents. I don’t see much activity at the Belle River landing lately. No matter. When the dog and I go there for our walks, there are only a few vehicles parked.
Of course, we get there in the late afternoon when it’s a bit cooler, so I may just be missing the crowd. It has got to be hot in the woods now. The water is still a bit high but creeping down a tiny bit each day.
The hummingbird crowd is no more. Daily, I have two little guys at the feeder but that’s it. The purple martins have not fledged yet nor have I seen any sign of little wood ducks. My husband said he saw a small alligator in the river in front of our house recently and I’m pretty sure I’ve heard at least one croaking in the ditch between my house and the neighbor.
There is at least one alligator in the pond at the recreation center and I think one in the ditch by the road. They seem to be talking to one another across the sidewalk. And there are lots of bullfrogs.
Thanks to Charlotte Ratcliff, the recreation director, Bonneval Construction will install some sort of acoustical ceiling in the welcome center as soon as the activities there allow a break. First bingo on June 21 – and that’s the one where Humana brings birthday cake. The building is being rented for a baby shower on June 18 and then Food for Seniors on June 23. And then Bonneval will fix the ceiling. I have not been privy to conversations but I’m assuming – hoping – an acoustical tiled ceiling will solve the horrible echo problem.
Moving on to a sad, sad note, Mr. Elward Stephens of Stephensville passed away last week. He had just been diagnosed with liver cancer and it hasn’t been even a month since then. Ms. Olive said Elward told his son he didn’t want to suffer and I guess he got his request. I’m glad for that. He was such a nice man and he endured some terrible conditions when he was in WWII and in Italy.
I’m reading a book right now called “Street Boys” by Lorenzo Carcaterro, a fictional story about children in Naples, Italy, who fought off a German panzer division in WWII. As I read I think of Mr. Elward. He wouldn’t have been one of those boys, but he certainly could have.
I’m leaving for Orlando, Fla., this afternoon to spend the weekend with my granddaughter who lives and works there. She’s playing violin in a symphony orchestra concert and I’m excited about hearing the performance.
Have to tell you that I’ve booked a flight on one of the low-cost airlines. Very inexpensive from New Orleans to Sanford, Fla., but you get nothing but a seat unless you pay extra. I figure I’m not going to die from hunger or thirst in a two-hour flight but it’s almost funny to go through the website. If you want food or drink, you pay extra. If you want to put a bag in the overhead bin, you pay extra. If you want a particular seat, you pay extra. And I’ll tell you, the latter might not be such a bad addition! I chose to let the airlines tell me where to sit and it turns out to be the last row in the plane. Truthfully, from the online diagram, I’m not sure but what I might be seated in the bathroom, but I suppose that’s not possible!
Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to the short vacation, to see my granddaughter and my daughter and son-in-law will be joining us so it will be a family reunion!

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be e-mailed at lindacooke1939@gmail.com.