Squished - The Update
It was just a year and 8 days ago, that I wrote “A Bug’s Eye View” here on the Grand Love Project. https://www.thegrandloveproject.com/grand-love-adventures/a-bugs-eye-view?rq=bug and a lot has changed since then.
Most particularly, in fact, is my fond regard for Ralph, who I have since found out is a no good, very bad bug, called a Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive species known for decimating forests, trees, and vineyards. He is one of a population that is so feared and loathed, that New York and New Jersey have officially sanctioned “Kill On Sight” and an entire Operation Squish has been rolled out. It explains that if you see one of these buggers, you should ‘squish them, stomp them, crush them…eliminate them in any and every way possible!”
So - is it possible that something so seemingly friendly and pleasant turns out to be a horrible creepy creep? YES! My god, yes. I guess this is when I learn that there can be wolves in sheep’s clothing, or deadly, massacring beetles in cute bug’s clothing, or dishonest men in ex-partner’s clothing. If the poo shits, wear it, right?
There has been a lot of growth and change over this year. First of all - the Operation Squish campaign seems to be working, and the Spotted Lanternfly infestation is drastically reduced from last year. I admit, I even squished one the other day.
It reminded me of when I was a kid and I’d go to my Aunt Maurine’s home in Stockton, CA. She was a lovely, gentle woman, who took great pride in her exquisite and complicated gardens. Each morning at dawn, I’d awaken to find her outside, ‘playing in the dirt’, and she’d pick up the big, lumbering snails that were ubiquitous there, and would heartlessly stomp them. I admit, I was always stunned at the brutality coming out of this sweet woman.
In retrospect, she was the grand-daughter of the afore-mentioned Chicken’ Killin’ Axe, so maybe I shouldn’t have been too shocked.
She encouraged me to join in the escargot elimination, and though I never got over the icky feeling of rubbery goo on my sneakers, I always followed her lead.
This year, I also got rid of a lot of icky, rubbery, slimy goo when it comes to my ex-partner. Realizing the extent of the betrayal, the amount of deception, and the true nature of his nature, has been heartbreaking and revealing to me. It has caused me to do a lot of reconstructing of my world, building it again, piece by piece - carefully checking that each building block is solid, and slowly putting a whole new structure into place.
Happily, I’m making great progress, and won’t be tricked again!
