Tiny black intruders have, once again, invaded my kitchen. Black ants do this every spring. I’m not sure why they do. They seem to have no purpose. They dash off in one direction, stop, and run in the opposite direction. They wander here and there, always at top speed, always going somewhere but I don’t have any idea where. I wonder, do they? I don’t like to use spray and cinnamon is no deterrent–it just gives me a messy cabinet. So, I sprayed some insect repellant on a paper towel, carefully holding the towel over the trash can as I did, and wiped around the sink and places where I’ve seen them most often. I believe the spray may be their favorite food. They don’t seem to mind it at all.
I wonder if I’m like the ants, sometimes, running to my computer to work on a story, deciding my conscience will feel better if I stop and sweep the floor, remembering that I have to return a telephone call. And this blog post–it definitely reminds me of the ants because today I’m writing about a little of this and a little of that, wherever my wandering thoughts take me.
Sometimes I get the niggling suspicion that a few newscasters and television personalities feel just a tad superior to us folk in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Do you ever feel that way or am I being overly sensitive? I heard a panelist yesterday express his negative opinion about a recent happening and he began with, “Only in Oklahoma…” Also, I don’t like to hear all of us who are not on the east or west coast referred to as “fly-over country”. Does that bother anybody?
At least the panelist could have said, “Only in Oklahoma, bless their little hearts…” You know, we Southerners tack that on to try to take the sting out of a negative statement. I don’t think that works. Remember when Tennessee Ernie Ford would say, “Bless your little pea-pickin’ heart.” I really miss Tennessee Ernie. He had a neat sense of humor and a beautiful voice.
Yesterday, I was scurrying around my back yard (still in the black ant mode) taking some spring time pictures. The willow oak is huge and seems to be fully recovered from the ice storm of four years ago. It is putting out its narrow leaves and it’ll be beautiful this summer. The back yard maple is way ahead of the one in the front yard. I’m wondering if my front yard maple is feeling a little ill. Maybe that’s why it hung onto last year’s leaves; it felt that it might not have the energy for a new crop of leaves this spring. This tree lost quite a few limbs during that ice storm I mentioned. Perhaps the ice damaged it and it hasn’t recovered.
It’s nice to have a next door neighbor who is also a friend. Peg and I went out for a cup of coffee yesterday morning and a good chat. Now that’s a nice way to start off the day.
So, my wandering thoughts have brought me full circle to ants again. I don’t have anything against the little critters–when they keep to their own natural habitat. In fact, the Bible extols the virtues of the ant. Remember, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6). I believe King Solomon was emphasizing the importance of being prepared and keeping busy in worthwhile activities. So, as I scurry here and hurry there, probably I’m the only person who would consider my activities worthwhile. I’ve never been what many people would call “organized”. My organization occurs mostly in my mind. So, even though I seem to be busy at many things and not accomplishing all that much, that’s the way this writer operates. Amazingly, at the end of the day, I do see some progress.
My willow oak April 2014
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