This morning, I left for work and bent to pick up my morning paper.  When I stooped down to pick it up, I saw something moving about.  After a closer look, I realized it was a ladybug.  How sweet . . . as if to bid me a happy farewell to work.  I slowly tilted the paper against the back of my hand, and I guided the little fella until it rested gently on my wrist.  I shifted my wrist a bit from side to side, and it skittered this way then that.  I was amused.  But, I was in a rush to get about the business of my day, so I puffed at it, and it flew away . . . I made a wish.   

At lunchtime, I went to grab a nibble for lunch.  Suddenly, out of nowhere and all about my car, there was a-buzzin’ red flicker . . . frantic . . . frazzled.  I looked here where it went and there where it went, and it was all over the place.  Something buzzing about bright red and in all it’s glory!!!  What on earth???  I grabbed it . . . avoiding rear-ending the car in front of me, thank goodness.  I opened my hand . . . oh, my!  Another ladybug was in my palm.  I shifted my palm a bit from side to side, and it, too, skittered this way then that.  I had to let it go, so I quickly opened the window.  I puffed at it, and it flew away . . . I made a wish.   

Later this evening, in the pool, I saw something floating in the water.  I had to look closer.  I had to investigate.  It was a katydid . . . poor thing.  It was kinda cocked over to one side . . . helplessly floating.  I looked at it closely at first.  I did want to see that it was indeed a katydid and not a monster after me, of course!  Things seemed safe enough . . . I scooped it up in my hand, and I set it on the side of the pool.  It just laid there restless at first.  Then, it shook a leg and a wing.  I watched intently.  It kinda swayed and stumbled for a moment, and then it shook itself off.  It was rather humorous, if I must say.  Then, it took off.  I was satisfied.    

As I took my evening soak . . . wondering how many warm enough nights for the pool are actually left . . . I thought about the two ladybugs and the katydid.  And, I thought about my day.  Long . . . but, those little joys had brought smiles to my face.  That was nice.  Then, I saw something floating . . . again . . . in the water right next to me.  OK, so I hate stuff floating that I can not identify, so I must inspect each object carefully.     

I looked closely, because it was very very dark.  I took my hand and carefully swished it at first . . . hmmmm . . . what can this be?  Then, I slowly lifted my palm up to catch the being.  It was a ladybug, of all things!  This one was not crawling about as on the morning paper and not flitting about in my car . . . this one was very still.  I, too, was still.  I just gazed at it . . . what to do?  It must be a bit bewildered?  Soaked?  Stunned?  I just sat there.  It just sat there.  We waited.   

I was beginning to be concerned, when suddenly the little twit began to walk slowly at first then really really fast.  I laughed, but only a little so as not to startle it.  It stopped abruptly . . .  in its tracks . . . still as could be.  We were both very still. . . for a long while . . . a very very long long while . . . It started to walk along again, and I determined it was alright . . .    

Then, I puffed at it, and it flew away . . . I made a wish.