My charge has been obsessed with bugs ever since his first June bug encounter a few months ago (see post from April entitled Hey Bug!). This weekend while visiting a friend’s ranch in East Texas he experienced the sinister and painful side of his blossoming relationships with bugs – the fire ant bite. If you are not from the Lone Star State you might not be familiar with the hateful little creatures but they truly do burn and sting like fire when they bite you and often attack in droves – luckily Texas ended up with only two bites and has consequently learned to kiss them on his own which seems to bring him an overwhelming sense of relief when his memory fires up the unsettling memories of his encounter.

My hope is that the dreadful little fire ant has not tarnished the reputation of the gentle butterfly, playful inch worm or timid rolly polly hence forward….I remain hopeful.