When I was young, peacocks were, in my mind, nearly mythical creatures. Their elegant strutting, colorful plumage, and resounding cries were what stories were made of.
Not having any peacocks of my own or in the neighborhood, they were also elusive. A yearly trip to the state zoo often satisfied my curiosity yet left me wondering what it must be like to be so majestic.
The older I grew, the less I went to the zoo. And now, here I am, at least two decades removed from my last up-close animal encounter of any good consequence, with the exception of the rarely spotted coyote or roadrunner.
Without their presence to remind me, I’d forgotten much about peacocks. Until recently. Here then, in homage to these extraordinary creatures, is today’s FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: Peacocks.
1. Mystery and Manners by Flannery O’Connor. A Southern writer, Ms. O’Connor deflates the notion that all writers are the same. There is something exquisitely different and compelling not only about the Southern writer, but of the stories they tell. This book is teaching me to not be afraid of telling the stories that only I can tell.
Mystery and Manners: The King of the Birds
2. King. Imagine my surprise that the very first chapter of Mystery and Manners is titled “The King of the Birds.” This is the catalyst for my resurfaced love. Ms. O’Connor wrote of the many peacocks she owned, their behaviors and antics. How beautiful to read of the differences between peacocks and peahens. Not only have I learned more about the craft of writing, I discovered more about peacocks than I previously knew. With all their afore-mentioned qualities and more, they most certainly deserve this title. And here’s another tie-in to New Orleans (are you surprised?)—one of the main characters of my new favorite TV show (NCIS: New Orleans, of course!) is nicknamed “King.”
NOLA_Writers. I want this job.
3. My daughter. She should be a peacock. She’s stunning. She’s gentle yet strong. She doesn’t worry about what others think when she’s doing her thing. And she’s extremely talented. Earlier this week I asked her to paint me a peacock. This is her work in progress:
Dot’s Peacock
4. Home. Just recently I started a home-improvement kick that has snowballed into the desire to repaint nearly every room in the house. It’s my intention to brighten up my bedroom with a lighter, softer palette. I’ve decided on a pale peacock theme. Can you imagine a retreat in those cozy colors? Just check out this idea I found through Lowe’s Pinterest board (used by permission.)
5. NOLA. Let’s be real—everything in my life right now leads back to New Orleans. How did I not see before this month that the peacock holds the colors prevalent in Mardi Gras and The Big Easy? Glorious purples, blues, greens and gold. When I get to New Orleans, I want to wear a peacock Mardi Gras mask and hat, and strut about the streets without a care in the world. NOLA is more than a book to me. It infuses every part of me. It’s my book, my characters. I live, eat, breathe, and sleep NOLA. The peacock has become my personal symbol of that creativity and success, as well as freedom and individuality.
BONUS: Without realizing it, I’ve already started turning into a peacock. My wardrobe is more colorful than it used to be. There’s a feather in my bedroom. I’m more attracted to blues and purples than I used to be. Dot bought me these earrings for my birthday last spring. While they’re not peacock feathers, they certainly remind me of them. As you can imagine, they’re now my favorite and I wear them more than any other except my pennies.
Peacock Earrings
How fun might it be to own a real peacock? I’ll keep that in mind for Bedford Manor.
Now it’s your turn: What beautiful creatures influence your life? Leave your Five Things Friday in the comments below.
When we moved into Bedford Manor nearly four years ago, Dot’s bath was in pretty good shape. The only improvements we made at the time were to remove the left behind decor, paint the walls, and set up a Sandy Beach/Polka Dot theme that flowed well into Dot’s bedroom.
Polka Dot Beach
Dot’s Beach Bath
What we didn’t take care of was the tub itself. These blue flower stickees worked great to prevent slips and falls, and so it wasn’t really high on my To-Do List to remove them.
Blue Bath Flower Stickees
Plus, I’d tried a few times and nothing seemed to work. I’d looked online for solutions and all of them called for strong anti-adhesives that were too chemical in composition. After the second try, we couldn’t enter the bathroom for 24 hours, the odor was so strong. And as life at Bedford Manor continued, the To-Do List was readjusted to fit the immediate needs and availability of both product and money.
But lately it had become apparent that they were wearing out. It was time for a Bath Tub Makeover. In desperation, I asked Obadiah (my coworker) if he had any ideas. Indeed he did. A can of WD-40 and a straight razor. Really? I pondered suspiciously. Could it really be that simple? He assured me it was. Spray. Wait. Scrape. Yes, he insisted. So we bought the necessary ingredients.
WD-40 and a Straight Razor
Of course, when it rains it pours and recently Dot’s water knob cracked. This morning she reminded me that I had already bought the replacement, and she couldn’t wait any longer.
Broken Knob
So I figured, What the heck. Let’s make tonight a Home Improvement Night.
Since the WD-40 would need to sit for a few minutes, I sprayed the tub first. I made sure that each flower was fully coated, then went over them again for good measure. I was surprised that a little went a long way. As it began to work its magic, I worked on the knob.
A quick unscrewing of the old and the new one was soon in its place. Dot’s choice of a clear knob instead of dark really brightened up the tile around it.
Bath Tub Knob
Then it was time to scrape the tub. Scrape is really the wrong word. It was more like nudging, lifting. The razor slipped easily under stickees and separated them from the tub.
Scraping the Stickees
In just about ten minutes, I had the entire tub scraped. But there was still residue.
Blue Stickee Residue
I was worried that the tub would be permanently shadowed with these outlines. My worries were conquered. Another quick spray of the WD-40 and another passing of the razor over the area, and the tub was residue free. A quick rinse with a mixture of hot water, vinegar and dish soap eliminated the final oils and dirt.
Look at that tub shine!
Of course, I can’t have Dot slipping and falling now that the stickees are gone. Good thing we bought a bath mat!
Bath Mat
And now with a new knob and a nice mat, Dot’s tub has been made over.
Bath Tub Makeover
I can’t believe it’s the same tub! Less than $35 from start to finish. Doesn’t this look relaxing?
Bath Tub Retreat
And Dot? She loves it. In fact, she’s already in there washing her hair. I wish she’d hurry up… This Girl needs a bath. After all, it’s not easy being the Queen and Handyman of my own castle. Then, again… maybe it is.
In my job as an insurance agent, I talk to a lot of clients about their homes and yards. As you know, I’m always on the lookout for how to beautify my desert dirt lot. I have great tips on how (and what) to garden. I love hearing and seeing the different creatures Mother Nature nurtures.
Lately I’ve seen more butterflies. Who can forget this beautiful Hummingbird Moth I discovered at Lowe’s?
Hummingbird Moth
Or cute, tiny Fred?
A Lizard in the Hand
Two days ago I drove over to Mom’s for our morning coffee together. There was a rock in the driveway so I avoided it and any potential damage it might cause to my tires. As I exited Ursula (as I’ve affectionately named my car), Mom called me over with a twinge of excitement. “I want to show you something.”
She was watering her flowers and I thought perhaps a new butterfly or petals. Instead, she pointed to the rock and it was then I discovered it was no rock at all, but a stunning green and yellow Scarab beetle!
Scarab Beetle
Scarab in the Shade
Over an inch in length and content to be my model for the next five minutes, it reflected the peeking sun and dulled with the clouds. It’s a sight we’ve not seen in the desert. As I do with all things, I quickly named it. “Lucky”. For he (she? it?) is a wondrous shade of green highlighted with yellow undertones. It was impossible for me to not fall in love with this unique and magnificent creature.
The Scarab is an ancient Egyptian symbol of luck and wealth. It’s not lost on me that this Scarab should also be the color of money. And emeralds. And jade. All of which are considered lucky. All of which, coincidentally, are some of my favorite things in life.
Going beyond myth and legend, I have always been attracted to shades of green. I find them refreshing, soothing, invigorating, and energizing. My Narnia-inspired media room (or, Spar Oom, as it’s also known) is painted a peaceful Mountain Sage color.
The photos above don’t do it justice.
Shiny Scarab (the best photo!)
Look at the intricate detail of his glorious hard wings, large eyes, and all those legs and tendrils! Had I not needed my coffee and then to scoot off to work, I would have stayed for hours watching him. Just watching him as he watched me.
He must have known I had other things to soon steal my attentions, for he began to wander away. But not before I captured a short video of his journey.
Here’s the original video I captured:
But he must really be lucky. Because I decided to try my hand at video editing and after just a few hours, have something Lucky would be proud of. It’s rough, I’ll admit. I’m not a professional. And I don’t fully know what I’m doing yet. But I’m getting there. And Lucky? Well, he’s getting there, too… wherever “there” is for a green and yellow Scarab beetle.
I love Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores. I especially love their Garden Centers.
I Love Lowe’s
This morning, we drove over to get yard plants. There’s a feel to walking through Lowe’s Garden Centers. The sprinkler-induced humidity. The welcome birds being chased by feral cats. The families planning together. The newlyweds picking their first flower pot.
I love walking through Lowe’s. Away from computers and electronics. Away from televisions and radios and outside interferences. It’s a way to briefly reconnect with reality. Earth. Nature.
I love breathing in the pungent aroma of Privet followed by the fragrance of Jasmine. The color explosion on each display table brings together possibilities I wouldn’t think of on my own.
Garden Centers are my Happy Place.
And now, they’re my Nature Field Trip.
As we walked past tables of flowers I saw a small bird. Only it wasn’t a bird. But it could have been. I was confused. I’d never seen anything like it. I didn’t know they exist. It was like that scene in Jurassic Park when the gates first open and the scientists enter another world. A world they knew about, dreamed about, but the real experience was far beyond any expectations.
I. Saw. This.
Hummingbird Moth
It’s a Hummingbird Moth. And yes. It looks exactly like a Hummingbird. And exactly like a Moth. It captured my attention for a quarter of an hour as I watched it flit from bright flower to bright flower, sucking the nectar and pollen. It wasn’t afraid of the people walking by. It wasn’t distracted by my stretched-out hand. It had one job: to help pollenate the flowers and drink the nectar.
And while I enjoyed my morning at Lowe’s picking up Photinia to plant under the picture window, it’s the Hummingbird Moth I’ll always remember.
Hummingbird Moth
Next paycheck, I think red flowers are on the shopping list. My yard could use a Hummingbird Moth.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
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