As is my habit, I rise well before the sky begins to lighten in the east. This gives me time to collect my thoughts over that first mug of coffee. The cat and I tend to be the only two awake at the bright and early time of 4am so we have the place more or less to ourselves. After breakfast for both of us, he goes his way and I go mine. His way is prowling around to find any lackadaisical night critters that he can "hurry on their way" and my way is prowling the gardens to see what work needs to be done. Usually, there is just enough light by the time we exit the house to feel relatively safe against those "larger night critters".
This morning, it was necessary to drag the hose about the gardens. The heat and drought have been brutal to the plants even with my efforts to help. Sometimes, I think I am just prolonging the suffering of the plants but it pains me to know they so desperately need the cooling water. While hosing down the last remaining zinnias, a slight movement was enough for me to put down the hose. A praying mantis was clinging to one of the zinnia stalks as it searched for breakfast. Ahh, my friend! I love these critters and was only too happy that Bat, the cat, had made his way down the hill to the pier. The mantis would live to see another day.
While pondering the mantis, this morning, it dawned on me that, while I love them, they are kin to two of my least favorite critters! Praying mantes are kin to both cockroaches and termites. Those, I can fully do without...especially the termites as they are in the process of eating, not only the Little Bayou House, but every tree on the property. (Yes, LIVE trees.) In all fairness, however, the mantis would gladly dine on either of the other so perhaps I just need more of these critters.
It was not long before the praying mantis made its way deeper into the zinnia bed and well out of sight of the cat. Now it just had to be watchful of the little ribbon snake that also inhabits the gardens. Life is not the easiest.
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