Today…. I met the most delightful insect. Maybe my favorite one ever.
She was a Mantis. “Mantis” comes from an ancient Greek word which means “prophet”. That in itself is very cool, although I don’t know why that is relevant.

Around these parts, they are commonly known as the Praying Mantis…. because of their often prayer-like pose. I think most are Catholic. They stand up, sit down, kneel, stand up, sit down, kneel…. over and over again.

At any rate, this one was totally great. She was a little afraid of me and my camera at first. But once she figured out I was not a threat… well…. then she started hanging out. Her name was Marge.

So. We talked about girl things…. you know… WILL the Steelers win a game this season? ….. what is your favorite brand of Beef Jerkey? … THOSE sorts of things.

Then, I asked if I could take her photo. She obliged. She looked right in my lens… grinned a goofy grin… and said… “Cheese!” Finally… I thought I was pressing my luck… but I asked any way.

“Marge… no one will believe your size. If I put a dime on the ground, will you go over and touch it?”
“I like you Pol. Sure thing.”

“Well, Marge, you are one nice lady.”
“Not really. I feel terrible. I just bit my husband’s head off.”
“You got mad and yelled at him?”
“No. I literally bit his head off. And now I have indigestion. Got any TUMS?”
“Uhhhhhh…….Fresh out of TUMS Marge. (Long Dang Awkward Silence……. ……. …….) Uhnnnnn…. hey…. nice talking with you. I think I left the iron on in the house… or something.”

And she seemed like such a nice Mantis.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir