And wasps. I captured 2 last night in my living room when it was too cold and dark to throw them out, so I gave them sugar water and made them wait til morning. Am I nuts?
You might be a little nuts, but I tend to gravitate toward people like you. Nice of you to care enough to do a little something more, Catherine. Well done! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Six years ago I discovered a tiny mouse - no bigger than a thimble - toodling around my NYC apartment. It was exquisite. So small, so vulnerable. I spend the day tracking her (I decided she was a she)...she was clever and elusive. Somehow, magically she ended up in the tub where I was able to herd her into a box. We journeyed to Central Park, to a favorite tree near Cleopatra's Needle, where she might find shelter and a new life. I hope.
That's a good question, one for which I don't have a pat answer. I use the term essay with frequency, but sometimes I default to "post." For a while I was calling Chicken Scratch a digital journal, in which case the writings are entries. The over-arching genre is creative non-fiction. Confused yet? 😅 I'm open to ideas for what you think works best! And - gosh - thank you.
I love the idea that they're essays, not posts. 'Posts' diminishes them a little and there's nothing at all that is diminishing in your thoughts and writings.
That does have a nice feel. Interestingly, one of my frequent writing habits came in the form of letters exchanged with my mother. She was more prolific than I but we had an agreeable pattern of maybe 2-3 from her for every 1 from me. One of the things I miss most, now that she's gone.
“I never want to reach the point of not noticing.” This. Life is not Edenic, death is real and ever present. But we must notice and witness it. In the very act of noticing we redeem some of the horror that exists in the grand beauty of life. Always notice.
I drop the ball on this more often than I wish, Jan, but I keep trying. Or perhaps I should say life keeps giving me more chances. Grateful for the comment, and the wisdom.
I see nothing odd about your need to save even the tiniest living things (fire ants would give me pause ,though )
Our increasingly fragile existence on this (still) lovely blue planet makes me appreciate every living thing so much more I wonder : When will we see the last one of any species still holding on to life ; what frightens me to my core is the word Extinct - we have idea how interconnected everything is until we start the great unraveling.
Yes, Melody, appreciation is key. As you note, there is no way to know how life on this planet will shift as species leave us. I hope that, just as we can't understand the departures, there are opportunities we also can't fathom from our current vantage point. Keeps me from falling into despair any more often than I do. Glad you have you on the journey, Melody. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Oh, Elizabeth, what a beautiful piece of writing. I want to admire that first, before admiring the ideas within it. You had me at misery persisting like a sadness-scented room spray, and your gentle humor sprinkled with literary references kept me reading along (even though I have some strong feelings about ants) until suddenly this was not about ants at all.
I'm not sure when I first had the epiphany you describe here, but it was a few years ago. I'm not a purist; while I do my best to free many little creatures to the wild, I make exceptions for murder-spiders, rats, and--yes--ants. I feel conflicted every time. I have been mostly co-existing peacefully with ants since I moved into our house 6 years ago; they come and go, mostly coming when it rains. But this winter they have been coming in hordes, mostly in our kitchen. We finally put some ant traps (which are not traps at all; they are poison pools, near as I can tell) right outside the doors of the spaces where we see them most, and now sweeping up ant carcasses has become a daily chore. They come in to die, it seems, making me witness and deal with the consequences of my choices. Now, when I sweep them up today, I will find myself thinking about borders and territories of all kinds, and power, and what is and is not a threat. Thank you?
(Also, could you maybe next time not write about creatures that "bring forth a revulsion that feels primal"?) :-)
Rita, thank you. Such a sweet beginning, those words. And my apologies for pushing my moral gymnastics onto you (and everyone else reading), but I'm grateful that you are willing to notice. As Jan Blencowe says above, that is imperative. We live in a damp place and struggle, seasonally, with ant invasions. I've tried telling some of the ones I've let go to tell their friends to stay outside, but I don't believe it's working. They're probably up against a polarized population, half of whom are unwilling to believe what they're being told! (:wry grin:)
Seriously, I appreciate your thoughts, and I will do my very best to guide my next topic away from creatures that even hint at revulsion. 😅 By the way, what is a "murder spider?"
Ah, a question for our times....what is our responsibility to do what we can to rescue those in need? I believe It is for those more fortunate (whether in size, wealth or position) to step up, but how is often an obstacle, even in saving ants.
Yes, timely and, for me, impossible to resolve. But I'll keep at it! I'd rather be curious and a little conflicted than indifferent. Thanks for chiming in.
One or two stink bugs don't trouble me. I can capture those and launch them out the back door without turning on the stink-factor if I'm gentle. But the time a young friend discovered an army of them living in the sleeve of borrowed jacket she was wearing -- that was a bit much even for me! 😂 Appreciate the comment, Barry.
Lovely thoughts on how to practice noticing, and how to practice agency. It's funny how each of us draw lines. Co-op moths, and those tiny aimless ants are on my kill-without-compunction list - but NOT: crickets in the bathtub, centipedes, millipedes, stinkbugs (sorry, Barry), wasps that are on the wrong side of the window, and that mouse that, I swear, I caught, released, and recaptured several times.
Ha! Mice are sly like that, aren't they?! I love that you use the term co-op moths, Stewart. I call them grain moths, but they definitely show up often in crunchy establishments with bulk bins and bags of dried goods hanging around. (If you're not already familiar with the "freezer trick," let me know!) For the record, I've not yet developed a soft spot for those either, but everything else on your list jives with my own.
Do you happen to recall the film Seven Years in Tibet and how they had to save the earthworms? Amusing (and telling) that those scenes are pretty much all I remember about the movie!
The world's such a mess that to help on a micro level, is to have done something, surely.
I hate killing things - and yet, we had an evil nest of aggressive European wasps next to the footpath across our garden and I was so glad when my husband managed to kill the lot. When one gets threatened, they send out pheromone messages and its 'one in all in' -meaning every time we batted them away or sprayed them with water, we were under threat. (They sting repeatedly)
Then there are certain Australian spiders and snakes. Ye Gods!
I've been studying Buddhist ethos for quite some time and I suspect I may potentially be the worst Buddhist ever - 'According to Buddhist principles, insects are considered as sentient beings, who should not be harmed or killed...'
"...to have done something, surely." That's exactly where I need to land, Prue, and I'm realizing it over and over again. As I hope was clear, I'm no purist. Wasps in high-traffic areas, venomous critters like some of your spiders and snakes, and other intruders (I use that word in full recognition of being on both the giving and receiving end) may require different approaches. I commented above about remembering the scenes from Seven Years in Tibet in which the characters had to devise a way to construct a building without killing any earthworms. Made a lasting impression! That said, I understand that there are often "loopholes." Much like our plain sect communities find ways to allow them to make use of automobiles and telephones, I believe some Buddhists create workarounds when the circumstances demand it. So I think you can let go of the guilt of being a rule-breaking Buddhist! Your presence here is much appreciated, Prue. Thank you.
There's an anecdotal story about the Dalai Lama swotting a mosquito back and forth during an interview. Eventually, he clapped it between his hands. When he was questioned about doing so, he merely laughed and said "Well, I warned him twice!" Not sure how accurate this is but I feel certain that you are not the worst Buddhist ever lol ... and yet again, I too am what I call a "Buddhist enthusiast" for many years now.
I think when one looks back on the way the current Dalai Lama interprets the ancient buddhist way, he is real, adaptive to the modern day. Besides, here in Australia, one wouldn't let a mosquito bite because we can get a couple of quite severe illnesses from them. Then there are the Jackjummper ants, the blue-ringed octopus, the funnel-web and redback spiders, the tiger snakes, the stingrays... The most Buddhist way is to avoid them if one can.
So much to be inspired by in Buddhism, not least the absence of what I call pure religion and isn't that an explosive comment!
No apologies needed, Prue, though your comment did make me consider the notion of "pure" religion. I wonder if we've ever really known such, because humans are so prone to letting ego and power take control.
You're right - it's the human ego that is at the root of all human problems, big and small. If we can just let that ego go (in simple terms, the 'I' in many of our thoughts - I'm as guilty as the next person), then we would all live in much more harmony for sure - both from an inner soul and outer world perspective. Does that make sense? If not, blame it on the Terrier who is playing like the Devil possessed, with his squeaky toy! XXXX
Wonderful reading! Thank you! I have saved mosquitoes and ticks, though... and the parsley in the kitchen has aphids and I may not be able to eat it, but the lady bugs have food till spring! As for ants, there is a chant I learned from a Tewa woman that goes like this: tchi tchi tchi Pa, three beats and a loud PA, and they go away! ^--^
I've been trying out the chant today, Erica, as the ant population continues to increase. Am I write in thinking the t is silent? I want to be sure I'm saying it correctly. :) Lovely to have you and your thoughtfulness here.
Edited to add: *right -- Ha! Funny to look back and see that I'd written "write."
What came to me in reading this is Jesus saying something like this, “When you have done this to the least of these, you have done it unto me.” Whatever I believe about Jesus or the Bible, I like applying the concept to ants. We are respecting the role ants play in our Earth, and at the same time protecting the planet which gives us life. We are given the universe not to use it, but to care for it. Thank you for reminding me of this.
To care for it -- yes. And not to use it indiscriminately. It's meant to be a reciprocal relationship. Have you had occasion to explore Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer)? The book is based on the commitment by indigenous peoples to reciprocity. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Darrell. Must appreciated!
This was excellent - reminded me of how long a (very short) walk to school used to take with my young (sensitive) son who insisted on airlifting parched earthworms off the pavement after a heavy rain and inspecting every snail shell too. "But mum, there was somebody home in that one!" And at 33 now, he still has the same kindly disposition. If only more people (in positions of authority, say) could think like this. A timely piece.
Oh, your sweet son! I can picture those walks, Sue, and those poor desiccated worms. I know there are people in and out of positions of authority who do think this way, but the other sort just seem so much - louder? Here's hoping quiet, kind persistence will prevail! Thanks so much for being here.
Lol I totally get this!! I'm the weirdo who feels sorry for a bug that lands on my windshield at a red light and gets stuck there. Glued to the window by the force of headwinds and then taken miles away from its home. How many bug lives did I ruin by driving that bug so far from home?
Hand to god, I took a [really bad, really blurry] picture of a bug on the roof of my car last night after my yoga class, thinking “Fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy night! “
You're an inspiration, Elizabeth: I hereby state my intention to save the next ant I meet which requires assistance. 🐜
My list of things to save already contains the following (in priority order): earthworms, bees, ladybirds, lacewings, spiders, butterflies and woodlice. I prevented Jim from driving off the other day because one of the longest worms I'd ever seen was in mortal danger from his wheels. All was well!
I must confess (as expressed in this piece) that the jury is still out on how sustainable this is. Sustainable in the short-term, I mean, for me. Obviously, it's the best long-term plan for the ants, but we are so wet here that several times a season, whole colonies of ants see, to find their way inside, seeing dry ground, and presumably food. When that happens, they come in by the hundreds, if not thousands. I'm afraid I will not be able to keep pace at that point. :(
But, I will commit to remaining sympathetic and to doing the best I can.
Also, woodlice. We call them pill bugs, which I think is a much more endearing term.
I love this! Reminds me of the poem "Mercy" by Rudy Fransisco. : )
It just took me way more words to get there! 😅 Thanks for the comment, CJ, and for being someone who loves this.
And wasps. I captured 2 last night in my living room when it was too cold and dark to throw them out, so I gave them sugar water and made them wait til morning. Am I nuts?
You might be a little nuts, but I tend to gravitate toward people like you. Nice of you to care enough to do a little something more, Catherine. Well done! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Six years ago I discovered a tiny mouse - no bigger than a thimble - toodling around my NYC apartment. It was exquisite. So small, so vulnerable. I spend the day tracking her (I decided she was a she)...she was clever and elusive. Somehow, magically she ended up in the tub where I was able to herd her into a box. We journeyed to Central Park, to a favorite tree near Cleopatra's Needle, where she might find shelter and a new life. I hope.
I love that you gave your little friend a location upgrade! How delightful! Thanks so much for sharing that story and for being part of it. 😊
I loved your letter-essay-reflection today. It had me thinking all day. What do you call your writings?
That's a good question, one for which I don't have a pat answer. I use the term essay with frequency, but sometimes I default to "post." For a while I was calling Chicken Scratch a digital journal, in which case the writings are entries. The over-arching genre is creative non-fiction. Confused yet? 😅 I'm open to ideas for what you think works best! And - gosh - thank you.
I love the idea that they're essays, not posts. 'Posts' diminishes them a little and there's nothing at all that is diminishing in your thoughts and writings.
I kinda like to think you're writing us letters📜🖋️🤗
That does have a nice feel. Interestingly, one of my frequent writing habits came in the form of letters exchanged with my mother. She was more prolific than I but we had an agreeable pattern of maybe 2-3 from her for every 1 from me. One of the things I miss most, now that she's gone.
“I never want to reach the point of not noticing.” This. Life is not Edenic, death is real and ever present. But we must notice and witness it. In the very act of noticing we redeem some of the horror that exists in the grand beauty of life. Always notice.
I drop the ball on this more often than I wish, Jan, but I keep trying. Or perhaps I should say life keeps giving me more chances. Grateful for the comment, and the wisdom.
I see nothing odd about your need to save even the tiniest living things (fire ants would give me pause ,though )
Our increasingly fragile existence on this (still) lovely blue planet makes me appreciate every living thing so much more I wonder : When will we see the last one of any species still holding on to life ; what frightens me to my core is the word Extinct - we have idea how interconnected everything is until we start the great unraveling.
Yes, Melody, appreciation is key. As you note, there is no way to know how life on this planet will shift as species leave us. I hope that, just as we can't understand the departures, there are opportunities we also can't fathom from our current vantage point. Keeps me from falling into despair any more often than I do. Glad you have you on the journey, Melody. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Oh, Elizabeth, what a beautiful piece of writing. I want to admire that first, before admiring the ideas within it. You had me at misery persisting like a sadness-scented room spray, and your gentle humor sprinkled with literary references kept me reading along (even though I have some strong feelings about ants) until suddenly this was not about ants at all.
I'm not sure when I first had the epiphany you describe here, but it was a few years ago. I'm not a purist; while I do my best to free many little creatures to the wild, I make exceptions for murder-spiders, rats, and--yes--ants. I feel conflicted every time. I have been mostly co-existing peacefully with ants since I moved into our house 6 years ago; they come and go, mostly coming when it rains. But this winter they have been coming in hordes, mostly in our kitchen. We finally put some ant traps (which are not traps at all; they are poison pools, near as I can tell) right outside the doors of the spaces where we see them most, and now sweeping up ant carcasses has become a daily chore. They come in to die, it seems, making me witness and deal with the consequences of my choices. Now, when I sweep them up today, I will find myself thinking about borders and territories of all kinds, and power, and what is and is not a threat. Thank you?
(Also, could you maybe next time not write about creatures that "bring forth a revulsion that feels primal"?) :-)
Rita, thank you. Such a sweet beginning, those words. And my apologies for pushing my moral gymnastics onto you (and everyone else reading), but I'm grateful that you are willing to notice. As Jan Blencowe says above, that is imperative. We live in a damp place and struggle, seasonally, with ant invasions. I've tried telling some of the ones I've let go to tell their friends to stay outside, but I don't believe it's working. They're probably up against a polarized population, half of whom are unwilling to believe what they're being told! (:wry grin:)
Seriously, I appreciate your thoughts, and I will do my very best to guide my next topic away from creatures that even hint at revulsion. 😅 By the way, what is a "murder spider?"
Ah, a question for our times....what is our responsibility to do what we can to rescue those in need? I believe It is for those more fortunate (whether in size, wealth or position) to step up, but how is often an obstacle, even in saving ants.
Yes, timely and, for me, impossible to resolve. But I'll keep at it! I'd rather be curious and a little conflicted than indifferent. Thanks for chiming in.
Agree!!!!! Yet, I haven't quite developed that sentimental tear for the stink bug however.....Grrrrrrrooooosss...
One or two stink bugs don't trouble me. I can capture those and launch them out the back door without turning on the stink-factor if I'm gentle. But the time a young friend discovered an army of them living in the sleeve of borrowed jacket she was wearing -- that was a bit much even for me! 😂 Appreciate the comment, Barry.
Lovely thoughts on how to practice noticing, and how to practice agency. It's funny how each of us draw lines. Co-op moths, and those tiny aimless ants are on my kill-without-compunction list - but NOT: crickets in the bathtub, centipedes, millipedes, stinkbugs (sorry, Barry), wasps that are on the wrong side of the window, and that mouse that, I swear, I caught, released, and recaptured several times.
Ha! Mice are sly like that, aren't they?! I love that you use the term co-op moths, Stewart. I call them grain moths, but they definitely show up often in crunchy establishments with bulk bins and bags of dried goods hanging around. (If you're not already familiar with the "freezer trick," let me know!) For the record, I've not yet developed a soft spot for those either, but everything else on your list jives with my own.
Do you happen to recall the film Seven Years in Tibet and how they had to save the earthworms? Amusing (and telling) that those scenes are pretty much all I remember about the movie!
The world's such a mess that to help on a micro level, is to have done something, surely.
I hate killing things - and yet, we had an evil nest of aggressive European wasps next to the footpath across our garden and I was so glad when my husband managed to kill the lot. When one gets threatened, they send out pheromone messages and its 'one in all in' -meaning every time we batted them away or sprayed them with water, we were under threat. (They sting repeatedly)
Then there are certain Australian spiders and snakes. Ye Gods!
I've been studying Buddhist ethos for quite some time and I suspect I may potentially be the worst Buddhist ever - 'According to Buddhist principles, insects are considered as sentient beings, who should not be harmed or killed...'
That's me done, then.
"...to have done something, surely." That's exactly where I need to land, Prue, and I'm realizing it over and over again. As I hope was clear, I'm no purist. Wasps in high-traffic areas, venomous critters like some of your spiders and snakes, and other intruders (I use that word in full recognition of being on both the giving and receiving end) may require different approaches. I commented above about remembering the scenes from Seven Years in Tibet in which the characters had to devise a way to construct a building without killing any earthworms. Made a lasting impression! That said, I understand that there are often "loopholes." Much like our plain sect communities find ways to allow them to make use of automobiles and telephones, I believe some Buddhists create workarounds when the circumstances demand it. So I think you can let go of the guilt of being a rule-breaking Buddhist! Your presence here is much appreciated, Prue. Thank you.
There's an anecdotal story about the Dalai Lama swotting a mosquito back and forth during an interview. Eventually, he clapped it between his hands. When he was questioned about doing so, he merely laughed and said "Well, I warned him twice!" Not sure how accurate this is but I feel certain that you are not the worst Buddhist ever lol ... and yet again, I too am what I call a "Buddhist enthusiast" for many years now.
This is the quote you mention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W083nSzx1Rc
I think when one looks back on the way the current Dalai Lama interprets the ancient buddhist way, he is real, adaptive to the modern day. Besides, here in Australia, one wouldn't let a mosquito bite because we can get a couple of quite severe illnesses from them. Then there are the Jackjummper ants, the blue-ringed octopus, the funnel-web and redback spiders, the tiger snakes, the stingrays... The most Buddhist way is to avoid them if one can.
So much to be inspired by in Buddhism, not least the absence of what I call pure religion and isn't that an explosive comment!
Great video reference, Prue! And yes 💯 I agree no explosions required here lol
Goodness yes, and I apologise up front to Elizabeth. It was remiss of me.
No apologies needed, Prue, though your comment did make me consider the notion of "pure" religion. I wonder if we've ever really known such, because humans are so prone to letting ego and power take control.
You're right - it's the human ego that is at the root of all human problems, big and small. If we can just let that ego go (in simple terms, the 'I' in many of our thoughts - I'm as guilty as the next person), then we would all live in much more harmony for sure - both from an inner soul and outer world perspective. Does that make sense? If not, blame it on the Terrier who is playing like the Devil possessed, with his squeaky toy! XXXX
Wonderful reading! Thank you! I have saved mosquitoes and ticks, though... and the parsley in the kitchen has aphids and I may not be able to eat it, but the lady bugs have food till spring! As for ants, there is a chant I learned from a Tewa woman that goes like this: tchi tchi tchi Pa, three beats and a loud PA, and they go away! ^--^
I've been trying out the chant today, Erica, as the ant population continues to increase. Am I write in thinking the t is silent? I want to be sure I'm saying it correctly. :) Lovely to have you and your thoughtfulness here.
Edited to add: *right -- Ha! Funny to look back and see that I'd written "write."
Haha! The T is not silent... but if it does not work for you you may have to wait until winter!
What came to me in reading this is Jesus saying something like this, “When you have done this to the least of these, you have done it unto me.” Whatever I believe about Jesus or the Bible, I like applying the concept to ants. We are respecting the role ants play in our Earth, and at the same time protecting the planet which gives us life. We are given the universe not to use it, but to care for it. Thank you for reminding me of this.
To care for it -- yes. And not to use it indiscriminately. It's meant to be a reciprocal relationship. Have you had occasion to explore Braiding Sweetgrass (Robin Wall Kimmerer)? The book is based on the commitment by indigenous peoples to reciprocity. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Darrell. Must appreciated!
This was excellent - reminded me of how long a (very short) walk to school used to take with my young (sensitive) son who insisted on airlifting parched earthworms off the pavement after a heavy rain and inspecting every snail shell too. "But mum, there was somebody home in that one!" And at 33 now, he still has the same kindly disposition. If only more people (in positions of authority, say) could think like this. A timely piece.
Oh, your sweet son! I can picture those walks, Sue, and those poor desiccated worms. I know there are people in and out of positions of authority who do think this way, but the other sort just seem so much - louder? Here's hoping quiet, kind persistence will prevail! Thanks so much for being here.
And as with everything else in life, it’s about choices 🐜
Indeed. Some harder than others. Some more impactful. And really, what a privilege.
Lol I totally get this!! I'm the weirdo who feels sorry for a bug that lands on my windshield at a red light and gets stuck there. Glued to the window by the force of headwinds and then taken miles away from its home. How many bug lives did I ruin by driving that bug so far from home?
Hand to god, I took a [really bad, really blurry] picture of a bug on the roof of my car last night after my yoga class, thinking “Fasten your seatbelts, its going to be a bumpy night! “
😂😂
You're an inspiration, Elizabeth: I hereby state my intention to save the next ant I meet which requires assistance. 🐜
My list of things to save already contains the following (in priority order): earthworms, bees, ladybirds, lacewings, spiders, butterflies and woodlice. I prevented Jim from driving off the other day because one of the longest worms I'd ever seen was in mortal danger from his wheels. All was well!
Such a lovely post! Nature needs our nurture. xxx
I must confess (as expressed in this piece) that the jury is still out on how sustainable this is. Sustainable in the short-term, I mean, for me. Obviously, it's the best long-term plan for the ants, but we are so wet here that several times a season, whole colonies of ants see, to find their way inside, seeing dry ground, and presumably food. When that happens, they come in by the hundreds, if not thousands. I'm afraid I will not be able to keep pace at that point. :(
But, I will commit to remaining sympathetic and to doing the best I can.
Also, woodlice. We call them pill bugs, which I think is a much more endearing term.
Thanks, as always, for reading, Rebecca!
Pill bugs - that's a lovely name, and very apt for the species of woodlouse that curl up into little pills! Love it!!!
The ones we get coming into our house are the kind that don't curl up - although we call both types the same name.
I've always loved creepy-crawlies.... although not slugs, because YUCK... 🤢🤣