My sister, Kaye's, granddaughter, Ava, and I watched ants in an ant hill recently. It was rather fascinating to see them scurry about their daily business of staying alive.
Ava wasn't so sure what to think of these sometimes "picky" ants, so it was a good reason to dig a little deeper into the quality and not-so-quality personalities of these little creatures.
It is interesting to know that if we had muscles in proportion of the ants we'd be able to toss a car across the street. Awesome! However, I did have to explain to her that we really didn't want or need to do this.
I was amazed to discover that scientists estimate there are more than 12,000 species with at least 1.5 million for every human being on the planet. And, as a total, they would be heavier than all humans.
Ava liked the idea that ants are basically a female society with a queen as the center of the colony. She wasn't so sure about the idea that these females also performed the work.
We didn't go into the male aspect, but wait, why am I writing about ants? I guess the thought crossed my mind that maybe we need some of that power and dexterity to succeed and insure we can survive in a perilous world that challenges us every day.
It is hard to believe, but more ants live on the earth than any other insect. Ants may be found in all parts of the world, except the North and South Poles. Like people, ants do not live alone. They live and work together with other ants in groups called colonies.
The ant colonies are somewhat like cities. Hundreds and even thousands of ants live in one nest. Some of these ants feed and care for the young. Others keep the nest clean or store away food. Others guard the entrances to the nest.
(Remember I told you...you can write a story about anything and everything.)
My Grandmother Hanson had a pet ant. This large and black creature appeared every morning for breakfast. Grandma fed it a bread crumb, just because it was interesting to watch. I never really knew when Grandma and the ant parted ways, but something came up and Grandma thought enough is enough.
Actually ants don't discourage easily. I recall my Aunt Ellen had the misfortune to have "grease ants." They were so tiny, they were almost invisible, and got into her sugar container. They were a most unwelcome force to deal with, as even one left in hiding seemed to bring in another band of warriors to contaminate her cupboard.
As kids, my sister and I had an ant farm. It was a plastic see-into, photo-like contraption where we could watch them make tunnels and roadways every which way.
I noticed my peonies bloomed late this year. They didn't seem to open very well.
They depend on the ants to eat the "sticky stuff" from the buds so they can open. I suppose with all the rain we had this spring the ants weren't able to do that effectively.
When ants dig their nests in the ground, they help farmers by turning over the soil and breaking it up. This helps improve the land for growing crops.
Many ants kill insect pests such as termites. A certain kind of ant will kill the larvae of beetles that are harmful to crops.
Ants clean up on other bugs. They also dispose of the dead ones.
While we may think of ourselves as superior to ants, we could take a few lessons that would be protective in nature. Step on them and they rise again. They are efficient societies.
They help raise crops. They protect and herd other insects and have the ability to follow scent trails for great distances. If they can outlive dinosaurs, I am sure they can outlive humans.
Fire ants are fierce protectors, fearing nothing — well, maybe chemicals.
But then again, I fear chemicals too. One wonders which is the worse of two evils.
Ants can learn more than most insects. They feed each other and work together. But, they cannot think and plan ahead as people do.
Many ants will follow a trail that other ants have made. However, if the trail accidently goes in a circle, the ants do not know enough to leave it. They may keep walking around the circle until they fall dead. Incidentally, ants have no government.
You can learn a lot from an ant: to exercise unceasingly, and to make the best of what you have got.
They work hard without tiring. They "outbug" the bugs they encounter and live long and busy lives.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, July 25th: Sue Hill, Kari Janka Hareid, Stan Mork, Ivy Oland, Ann Falksen, Rick Hagen, Cole Pospesel, Kristine & Jesse Routh.
• Friday, July 26th: CLARA WHITE, her 103rd BIRTHDAY, Jordyn Marie Wobschall, Kristine Broskoff Routh, Mark Bartness, Jane Osmundson, Amy Radke, Jean Smith, Scott & Cheryl Christensen.
• Saturday, July 27th: Ben Groth, Lori Dirksen, Nita Dooley, Mark Helmers, Nicki Spurr, Rick Spurr, Rhiannon Farr, Alison Underland, Dave Schulz, Kory Klecker, Lillian Rose Olson, Steve & Jinny Nielsen, Travis & Ashley Broskoff, Marguerite & Milton Nelson.
• Sunday July 28th: Mike Luhring, Kari Wayne, DeWayne Jensen, Dennis Jensen, Penny Jensen, Eric Lee, Christian Burnes, Donnie Turvold, Jim & Maryalice Hanson, George & Sue Stieglbauer, Gary & Emily Ayers, Melissa & Scott Michie, Ellie & Chad Schutrop.
• Monday, July 29th: Randy Dokken, Doug Flugum, Candie Underland, Jennifer Huber, Dory Hunt, Jim Misgen, Brent Jepson, Lorrell Beaber, Todd Wangen.
• Tuesday, July 30th: Tregg Hagen, Sarah Underwood, Levi Horvei, Trevin Andrew Stollard, Scott Briggs, Amy Hohansee VanderSyde, Gary Sloan, Cindy Vaith, Larry Jensen, Kay Cassen, Shane Christensen, Cindy Esplan, Dani Layland, Kurt & Kelly Krumwiede, Nathan & Lindsey Schlaak, Jerry & Tanya Blouin.
• Wednesday, July 31st: Zane Andrew Miller, Michelle Eaker Stevens, Coni Misgen Evenson, Lorie Paulson, Joan Mast, Brian & Pam Muri.
Hope you have a day filled with things that make you smile!
