Saturday Morning Musings ..
Saturday mornings are supposed to be slow .. Cozy affairs, but not when you have a pup like Mr. Huxley. As the sun barely hinted at rising, Huxley had me up and out the door for his morning routine. It was freakin’ cold—low 20s with a sharp northwest wind that gnawed at my face. Hood up, hands tucked, and feet stomping to keep warm, I followed Huxley as he sniffed around, completely unfazed by the icy weather.
For Hux, finding the perfect spot to do his business is an art. Every blade of grass, every stray leaf—heck, even shadows shifting in the wind—demand his full attention. Meanwhile, I stood there, face buried in my hood, watching the crepe myrtle shrubs sway and scatter their fallen leaves all over the yard. A thought struck me: I really should rake those up before the wind carries them into the neighbor’s yard.
But another thought pushed its way forward, one that brought a little warmth to the morning:
The Praying Mantis Huxley and I met in early November
It was an unseasonably warm day .. When we encountered the little guy .. A perfectly camouflaged grayish Mantis perched on our patio storage box. Its delicate limbs and tilted head seemed otherworldly, blending almost seamlessly with the box’s color. Naturally, I decided to introduce Huxley to this marvel of nature.
“Look, Hux! Nature is your friend!”
Huxley wasn’t convinced.. He gave it a single sniff, wrinkled his nose, and promptly decided that the Mantis was not worth his time. His indifference was amusing, especially since the mantis, with its swiveling head and alien-like curiosity, seemed to be sizing him up. Friend or foe? The little insect seemed as fascinated by Huxley as I was by its intricate design.
After snapping a few photos of this unlikely pair .. I gently moved our gray visitor to the crepe myrtles. It felt like the right place, with its leafy canopy and plenty of cover. Did the mantis stay there? Who knows. But Huxley didn’t care as long as it wasn’t on his turf anymore. This morning, staring at those same crepe myrtles, I couldn’t help but wonder where that mantis is now. Did it find shelter as the temperature plunged? Did it lay eggs before the frost arrived? Nature always leaves us with questions like that.
As for the leaves littering the yard? Those will have to wait. Today’s not the day for raking. The biting cold and that northwest wind have convinced me that there are better ways to spend a Saturday morning—like a hot coffee, a warm blanket, and maybe convincing Huxley that it’s time for a nap.
Some things, like leaves, can wait. But life’s small moments .. Like a curious Mantis or a cold morning walk with your dog—are fleeting and worth every chill and shiver.
