Not That Bad

  Springtime sees us being invaded by millions of tiny, black grasshoppers.  As they age, these things change into huge, three-inch-long, plant-munching, multi-colored menaces.  They eat everything in sight.  We have found that it is far easier to get rid of as many as possible when they are just hatching rather than wait until they are large enough to cause major damage.  Try as I might, I never get them all.  Of course, it is ridiculous to think that would be possible considering they are throughout the woods and on the neighbors' property, as well.  I do try to get rid of any adult grasshoppers that may evade my first attempts but a lot of them slip past unseen.  It is then that I get real aggravated at the critters...which is strange as I usually live by a "live and let live" mantra.  If these grasshoppers would keep themselves back in the woods, I would be ok with their presence but, no, they want to munch my garden plants, instead.  These are the dreaded Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers.  Ugh!

  Back in the early part of the summer, I had to keep covering the lily bulbs because the adult grasshoppers were eating the new growth. Once they finished off the top of the plants, they started in on the bulbs even to the point of digging into the ground to get at them.  I put some bulbs in pots and covered them with another flower pot to keep the critters out.  This did well until I had to uncover the plants.  They were too tall to keep covered.  The lilies sent up tall shoots with buds and I was so excited!  These bright yellow blooms always brighten the fall gardens.

  This past weekend, I checked the bud.  Alas!  A grasshopper was munching away on the stalk!  In fact, it had nibbled its way from top to bottom eating just about half of the stalk.  The lily had bent over because it could not support the weight of its own buds.  Needless to say, the grasshopper had just eaten its last meal.  My lily was ruined, however.  Brokenhearted, I left the bud and went inside.  This morning as I watered the other plants, I noticed the lily.  Sheer determination let that lily bloom in all its glory!  Even though it was ravaged by the critter, bent over flat and seemingly did not have a chance in the world...it bloomed.  Seeing that bright yellow flower that bloomed against all odds gave me a weird sense of strength.  If the plant can survive and still provide a bit of beauty, I can lift my head a bit higher and smile a bit brighter.  Things are not that bad, after all.