Today, I am featured in an interview with picture book author Joyce Uglow on her Substack series uGROnews. Please skip over to learn more about my process in writing What’s That Sound? Birds of the Bayou.
Our bayou life has slowed to the rhythm of summer. Because of the longer days, we were able to feed our hungry grandchildren, then head out for a jaunt on the bayou. Stella at age 5.5 likes to say she’s scared, but we encourage her with reminders like “Once you’re in the boat, you will have fun!” She doesn’t like the process of getting in. The canoe wobbles. Each time gets a little easier. This Sunday evening, she climbed in without crying. Her older brother Leo acts as an expert.
I followed in my kayak. I am no expert at kayaking. I go slow, slow, back and forth. My arms tire out pretty quickly. Apparently Leo got worried about me. He said, “I want to go back to get Mamére.”
That was sweet, but I was fine drifting about and enjoying the scenery. Later I showed Stella this photo and she said, “I didn’t see that!”
Perspectives are different. They were probably most concerned about seeing the alligator that our neighbor said was lurking about.
I’m happy we can play on God’s playground in a boat on the bayou.
Reflections on the Teche 
Both the literal and figurative reflections on the Teche are delightful!
Lovely interview with Joyce Uglow and a gorgeous reflection!
You are creating magical moments with your grandchildren! I love this peaceful slice and the accompanying pics.
Margaret,
You look cool as a cucumber on the still water. I’d be dripping sweat down there in the bayou, and my face would be beet red! Lovely photos.
Not “cool as a cucumber” but at 6 PM, the temperature is a more tolerable 80 degrees. And it was cloudy. Believe me that life jacket kept me plenty sweaty.
Margaret, great post. I love how you compare the perspectives of all you kayakers. An alligator would certainly have held my attention if I were there. Your interview with Joyce was fascinating. I loved reading the details.
Margaret,
Thank you for bringing me to the bayou.
“I didn’t see that!” made me laugh.
Your last photo is so beautiful. I love when water is still enough to make a reflection. Experienced that on my walk today and also wrote about it and photographed it.
Lovely to see your daily view.
Magical moments on God’s Playground. Wonderful memories created for everyone.
Lucky, lucky family, lucky grandchildren to have you two to take them out in such wonderful places. Lucky you to have the grandchildren to share the places with! The bits of dialogue made your time on the water feel intimate to us. Im glad Stella is brave about getting into the wobbly canoe!
You’ve created such a mood with this slice! I love thinking about you out and about creating wonderful experiences and memories with your grandchildren.