Kids can say the funniest things. For the past few years, Mark and I have been quoting our little granddaughter's sayings. Two quotes have stuck more than the rest. One, "Yummm! Apples!" is our catch phrase whenever something is yummy! Mary Ruth said this when we sent a box of citrus fruit to Georgia for the family to enjoy. When her mommy, Joanna, asked her what was in the box, Mary Ruth said "Yummm! Apples! We have said it and giggled over it ever since. The other most quoted Mary Ruth phrase is "First! We have to put on our boots!" This was something she said when she saw her first snow. Before going out to play, she knew the boots would keep her feet warm. Smart little girl! Mark and I say this whenever we are prioritizing things. "First! We have to put on our boots!" The phrase seems to help get things straight.
Since their move to a faraway island, I have been sending the grandlittles daily photographs of their dog, PJ. Mr. PJ came to live with us until their return. I did not want the kids to forget the beloved friend so each day, a new photo is sent. Today, Mr. PJ was not overly sure of an approaching heron. He had turned to look at me with a bewildered expression on his face. With the heron in the background, it was the perfect picture to send. When Mary Ruth saw the photograph, she said "An ostrich!" That sweet little girl has just re-identified my heron for me. Now, we have a Bayou Ostrich! I will probably never look at a Great Blue Heron again without thinking "An ostrich!" I always thought we had some pretty unique birds roaming about the Bayou and now I am sure of it.
Speaking of the Bayou Ostrich, he seems to be warming up to Mr. PJ. For several days, he was not sure that the old dog would not chase him. Now, the bird comes to grab minnows within a few feet of the dog. We are making progress. You just have to love the critters of the Bayou...even if they have unusual names! Mary Ruth brings so much joy by naming them!
Late this afternoon, my hike found me gathering twigs to light a fire when I headed back to the Little Bayou House. Even though the weather is still more springlike than winter, a small, crackling fire in the old woodburning stove sure feels good. Picking up the small branches would occasionally uncover a critter that had taken refuge beneath the bark. One particularly rotten branch exposed a rather lengthy centipede. The critter must have been basking in the warm sunshine because it was able to scoot rather speedily around in the soft sand. Once the critter realized that it was fully in the open, it panicked. "I need to hide!" So, instead of searching for a leaf or cluster of dead grass, the centipede stuck its head and about half its body down into the soft sand. "You can't see me! Now, go away!", I imagined the bug saying.
The antics of the centipede reminded me of the old cliche "An ostrich with its head stuck in the sand" in referring to someone that denies the existence of a problem in hopes that it will just go away. By the way, just for clarification, OSTRICHES DO NOT BURY THEIR HEADS IN SAND! Ostriches are much smarter than that as they realize that sticking their heads under sand may (and most likely would) lead to asphyxiation. Birds are not that dumb! However, it is obvious that either the centipede had a tunnel already dug so its breathing was not a problem or that critter is THAT stupid. I am leaning toward the thought that a tunnel was the answer.
Out of curiosity, I reached down at touched the little critter. Immediately, the centipede wigggled its way completely under the sand. Good move, little critter! I eased the piece of bark back into place over the bug. There was no need to disturb its cozy nest any longer. It was a case of "live and let live". I did not need that piece of wood badly enough that a critter could not have warmth as well. There were plenty of other sticks in the area.
