Ants Marching On

Today I am grateful for the wonders of the natural world and the enjoyment I get out of my first cup of coffee each day. 

Tiny wonders of the natural world include thousands of insects. I am not fond of them all, and some of them frighten me a little and gross me out some too. They are worth observing though, especially the ones who don’t bite or sting. 

Our grandson Leo, now 5, was spending the day with us yesterday and wanted to “feed the ants.” Appreciating some relief from the oppressive heat and humidity, we welcomed the opportunity to sit outside after some rain had moved through earlier in the day. 

Armed with pieces of tortilla chip as bait, he placed some on our sidewalk and Leo and GiGi each pulled up a chair to watch the show. It was entertaining and absorbing, and it was right here, right now.

Soon, there were lots of ants around, showing teamwork as they scurried about. Marching here and there. We wondered how they knew the food was there, how they told their buddies to get on over here. We wondered what ants like to eat. Google told us pretty much anything they have available. They aren’t picky.

Leo made friends with a few of the ants as they crawled around on his hands. GiGi appreciated just sitting and being fully immersed in something other than work to be done, worries, and what ifs. 

The ants marched on about their day. We paused in ours. There’s a time for marching on and a time for just being. Find time for both each day.