Baja St. Martin

Hasn’t the weather been miserable lately? Not the best way to begin a new year. The dog and I walked a short distance today despite the rain. The water is too high to walk along the spillway bank so we walked on the levee itself until I decided it was just too miserable to go further. Even with a fleece jacket, ear muffs, knitted gloves, a wool scarf and an umbrella, it was still cold. I felt pretty virtuous just getting outside!

I spent Christmas in Pensacola with my daughter and family. My granddaughter had driven up from Orlando on a break from UCF. The first night there we all took a trolley ride in downtown Pensacola which was really nice. A Santa regaled the passengers with jokes and stories as we drove around the old city area.

We girls went “malling” the next day, had lunch at Olive Garden and each opened a “sample” gift on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning, of course, it was tackling the mountain of presents around the tree, with everyone getting pretty much what they asked for plus some surprises. Even the cats got treats!

One of my gifts was a “trekking” stick, an expandable aluminum walking stick which I love. My son-in-law said I could use it to fend off snakes and stray dogs, but so far it’s just been great for walking and keeping branches out of my face.

I did, unfortunately, come home with a terrible cold which laid me low for a few days, but now just lingers with some chest congestion. Shortness-of-breath has bothered me to some extent since chemotherapy and a cold aggravates things a bit, so I’m using my inhaler more than I’d like. This nasty weather isn’t helping a whole lot.

Belle River has been home to hundreds of white pelicans lately. For the most part they roost a little north of me in a wide, shallow bay area. Today, the cormorants were flying over and a few staying here but most also heading north to land in the bay. Although the sun hasn’t been shining much, when it does, I can see the little shad glinting in the water and know that’s what the cormorants are after. Pelicans, also, I suppose.

The next Food for Seniors is Thursday, Jan. 23, at the usual times and places unless we’re told otherwise. See you then.

Next week I will be flying to California to spend a few days with my youngest daughter. She and her husband have recently purchased a house sort of between Los Angeles and San Diego. Both work and, like so many Californians, have long commutes to their jobs. I’m excited about seeing them both.

We’re hearing a few rumors that some crawfish are being found in the spillway. The water is high so people are able to go everywhere. I’m pretty sure I saw a boat leaving the landing today with a load of long traps. Our shop is getting a little bit of business from fishermen getting new prop bushings put in, checking out this and that on their boats.

The Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring their annual Winter Gumbo in the Stephensville Elementary gym on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All seniors in the lower St. Martin Parish communities – Belle River, Four-Mile Bayou and Stephensville – are cordially invited to come and enjoy a great gumbo, Bingo and door prizes. Flyers will be sent out but pass the word among senior friends. It’s a great get-together and a way to meet new neighbors. I missed the last one but I’ll be there this time and am looking forward to seeing everyone.

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be e-mailed at lcooke9417@bellsouth.net.