Did You Know

'Tis the Season

•  Grasshoppers shed their skin? 

For three weeks now we have had two pet grasshoppers. Three weeks! We killed the other 10, but survival of the fittest has won again. Apparently they have names, though they change on a daily basis according to Aspen's creativity.

First we made them their own little ecosystem in a Mason jar and placed them on the kitchen counter. We feed them grass, watched them eat and climb their stick and poop little pellets. An innocent somebody even 'watered' them, incidentally causing mold to grow. So, two days ago we gave them a clean new home. This time, an Adam's Peanut Butter jar with a stick for each hopper to enjoy and a fresh new bed of grass. Again we watched them eat, climb and poop. Fascinating developments in the the life of a hopper.

Today we awoke to find still two, and then a ghost of one. Very cool. Curiosity is getting the better of me. If it weren't for two eager-to-get-out hoppers, I'd reach in and grab the skin. It is a divine piece of creation. Looking through the glass it seems Mr. Hopper used his beaming skills to get out of his old skin and into his new. There are no visible signs of a hole of any sort. Makes me want to find it. The skins antenna, eye covering, and ripples in the lower abdomen are super intricate. I might just see if I can grab the skin, but for now I will just enjoy staring at the big hoppers belly as he/she straddles six legs suctioned to the glass. Who needs a pet cat or dog when you have hoppers?

• I "have a loud bless you"? -Liberty-

HAAA CHEWWW!

A good boisterous sneeze should clear any sinus. Not sure about the mouse squeak kind. Thanks dad, for passing on the talent.