The FROG made me post that picture!

I realized why I wanted to post the picture of the Besses' AkaShiso in yesterday's post. It was seeing that toad! It sparked memories of what happened last year.

I'd been sketching the flowers along the side of the pond for a background for the frog picture when I noticed a tiny enamel green bug with red wings and white pompoms. It lifted its leg as if to say, "draw me too!"

"Thanks sweetie, but you're much too small." When I saw it wouldn't be waved away, I carefully lowered its leg with my pen. I was sure the bug would fly away if I touched it.

But like a toddler who wouldn't take "no" for an answer, he lifted his leg again. Part of me wanted to laugh at the insect; part of me wanted to marvel at the ridiculousness of my situation; and a big part of me said, "Nobody would believe me if I told them this happened!" so I took a snapshot with my cell. It's times like this I wish I had a better-quality camera than my old flip-phone. I hear Smartphones nowadays do better than high-end compact cameras.

But Michael and DeeAnne Bess believed me right away. After all, they'd become friends with some bumblebees recently and eagerly told me about how gentle they were. Many people are afraid bees sting, but the other day, DeeAnne had lifted a leaf to find a sleeping bee; stroked its back; and it simply lifted one of its legs to reach back and touch her finger.

Some don't believe insects and humans can have that kind of contact. The most intelligent minds could stack up arguments about how it isn't logically or scientifically possible; and neither the Besses nor I would be able to refute their words.

But...that wouldn't change what we experienced.