I saw a beautiful thing today. On the side of highway 98 by McLain there's a cypress swamp. Lush green grass grows around the swamp. The dark water is covered with water lilies. Someone's cow, sleek and tawny, with hide the color or a doe, had gotten out of its pasture and was taking a drink.

The feathery green leafed cypress with their gray limbs and knobby knees and drapery of Spanish moss; that tawny cow mirrored in the black water festooned with white water lilies and her dainty demeanor as as she bent her head to take a drink--there was something primordial, unspoiled; pure and wonderful about it.

Then by the side of Highway 15 going up to Richton there was a herd of white Brahma cattle grazing in a field. Those cattle originated in India; they are distinctive looking, with a hump on their shoulders and long floppy ears. White cattle egrets stalked along with them, under them and around them waiting for them to stir up insects as they grazed. That was a beautiful sight too.

You never know what you're gonna see if you leave the house--I should do it more often. susil

Comments:

Very good Sue. It sounds so lovely. Let me go with you and Laura on your expedition. I'll bring the brownies.

comment by elderjane on July 13, 2009 7:53 AM ()

Jeri; brownies--mmmmm! I'm crazy about anything chocolate. Besides chocolate and Cheetos, we might need some fried chicken and a place to have a picnic..

reply by susil on July 13, 2009 10:48 AM ()

comment by tealstar on July 12, 2009 3:28 PM ()

Thanks, teal, and you see I'm easy to please when the sight of a cow in a swamp and a herd of grazing cows makes my day..

reply by susil on July 13, 2009 10:51 AM ()

comment by troutbend on July 12, 2009 12:15 PM ()

You've described my perfect day!! Sweet tea and Cheetos and a cool day with the car windows open--you know how to describe paradise!

reply by susil on July 12, 2009 12:26 PM ()

comment by greatmartin on July 12, 2009 7:27 AM ()

great, One of the treasured memories I have filed in my memory banks is standing on the beach one night watching a thunderhead far on the horizon over the Gulf of Mexico, and seeing the lightning show and sheets of rain falling into the sea--the roiling colors in the clouds--it was spectacular.You understand what I mean.

reply by susil on July 12, 2009 10:49 AM ()

Your own little version of Bugg's "Cow Snot". A little prettier, however.

comment by solitaire on July 12, 2009 6:56 AM ()

HaHa! Cows up close aren't always pretty..

reply by susil on July 12, 2009 10:51 AM ()

Beautiful!

comment by marta on July 12, 2009 5:39 AM ()

Thanks, but I'm frustrated because I couldn't describe that scene as beautiful as it really was.

reply by susil on July 12, 2009 10:53 AM ()

Well written piece. I could see the images!

comment by jondude on July 12, 2009 4:55 AM ()

Hi jon; thanks..

reply by susil on July 12, 2009 10:37 AM ()