A Thousand Little Feet!

  Make hay while the sun shines!  Pop always used to tell us that when we were growing up on the farm.  While it did not always have to do with cutting hay, he kept after us to be productive.  There was always plenty to do on the farm but, also, plenty of time to enjoy ourselves.  We did not have all of the modern "time-saving conveniences" of today to take up our time.  It is funny how time-consuming "time-savers" really are.  Here on the Bayou, it is much the same except we are a little more "up-to-date"...not much, but some.  However, we still try to be productive when the weather permits.  This morning was cool and sunny so yard work was the plan.

  While loading a pile of wet leaves into the wheelbarrow, I noticed a quite lovely millipede.  The critter had tightly swirled itself into a spiral because it felt that I was a threat.  The critter had no idea how interesting it was!  I had to examine it!  After a few photographs, I put the millipede into the wheelbarrow with its rotted leaves to be hauled down to the compost.  There it could live in complete happiness.  I guess I am one of the few people who see critters like this for what they are.  Millipedes do not bite nor sting.  They are good in the sense that they eat rotted wood, decaying leaves and fungi.  Yes, occasionally, they will munch a plant but that is usually only when there is a dry spell.  Millipedes need dark, wet places so when they chew on fresh plants, it is more than likely an attempt to get water.

  Have you ever wondered if a millipede actually has the thousand legs its name proclaims?  Well, they do not.  When born most only have three pairs of legs and six body segments.  With each molting, more body segments and legs are added.  The largest amount ever recorded was seven hundred and fifty legs!  My goodness!  That is a lot of legs!  I stumble about on two!  How on earth does it keep all those legs from getting tangled??  

  The millipede, today, is just one of many that are around the Bayou.  I have never minded them but hear-tell that there are folks who call exterminators just to get rid of these critters.  Some claim that boric acid, diatomaceous earth or wood ash will deter the critters in the garden or home.  Since millipedes like moist areas, it makes sense to just keep things dry and clear of decaying plant matter but, if you are like me, they can just stay.  I will share the space with them...no problems.