Sometimes It Takes a Ladybug To Tell the Story
When a miniature rose plant gifted to me for Valentine's Day by Mr. Husband and Alexis became overran with aphids early in the summer, I decided something needed to be done. I started by trying a little dish soap and water spray, but the aphids persisted. I tried a more powerful mixture, but the aphids persisted. When I started spotting aphids all over the kitchen, it was time for more drastic measures. I moved the potted rose out to the patio, intending to spray it with some Very Serious Insecticide so I could clear up the problem and get the plant back inside before winter.
But, the insecticide was over there and that plant was over here and I was headed that way, so I kept not grabbing the spray bottle of insecticide that was just inside the garage. As the weeks went by, I realized that the aphids weren't getting any worse, so I figured I would wait and see what happened. You could say I procrastinated a bit. Maybe.
Then it turned out that procrastination was the exact right thing to do. The universe decided to balance the problem all by itself.
One tiny little ladybug made a home on the miniature rose bush. The little ladybug, named Lily by Alexis, has been slowly dining on the aphids, curing the rose bush of that which ails it.
I am often quick to admit that I am a Master Procrastinator, but that is only half of the story. Sometimes I wait to address an issue or project or problem or whatever for a reason.
Sometimes waiting is the right thing to do. Sometimes nothing is the right thing to do. Sometimes life just needs a little ladybug.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Reader Comments (12)
Very nice story!
Kinda had the same at my place.
Two summers in a row we had SERIOUS problems with very ugly and even poisenous (no touch without gloves) caterpillars eating up ALL green on our beech hedges. I tell you - not even the result was nice since they did not became beautiful butterflies but brown/grey moths.
Our housekeeper even tried insecticides, but the only result was that all kind of creatures from no to two up to eight legs left the hedge with wild protest but the caterpillars kept dining in MASSES.
Then my neighbour started feeding a pair of blackbirds over the winter and they stayed in spring, made themselves a home and raise now three generation of babybirds every summer in our yard.
Their favorite food: caterpillars - the uglier the better
Problem solved, no poison involved, hedge is green and the other creatures (said enough the hyperactives spiders, too *sigh*) moved in again, too.
I LOVE MOTHER NATURE!
Sad sidenote: Some of the neighbours officially complained about us protecting the birds and their babies, because they SING TOO LOUD. WTF? Isn't it a crazy world?
This story makes me think of my mom! Every time I have a problem, she says to "pray about it". It's not that I don't believe in the power of prayer, but I also believe that you have to help yourself. It's like that joke where this guy keeps praying to God "Please let me win the lottery". Finally, God replies, "Please! Buy a ticket!"
Can you tell it is extremely difficult for me to ever "do nothing"? : )
love it!
oh i can do nothing real good!
(loved this story...and the photos, too. especially that last one.)
All our problems have been rodent or bird related (we had a woodpecker). "Nature" has helped us in that regard because small warren hounds and terriers are hard-wired to eliminate those problems. Problem solved.
Now if only there it didn't cause tapeworm.
I am the same way with procrastination, and it doesn't seem to help the problem when things always end up working out in the end. Haha! I love little ladybugs, great pictures. What did you shoot this with, or did you crop it close? I can't get my 50mm 1.4 to take close enough pictures of little bugs. I was trying to get a picture of a spider the other day. I need a macro lens.
Holding out for a ladybug over here. All applicants welcome.
So very true!! What a nice story with a beautiful message!! Love it :) And the pictures are stunning...gorgeous bug :)
Awesome!
As the Proverb says: Good things come to those who wait.
Do you think that ladybug could take care of all my stink bugs?! or maybe even my Father in law? Wishful thinking perhaps.
Oddly, I was just thinking about the lady bug invasion a few years ago and have not seen one all summer and fall. I think the stink bugs have taken over.
I like your rationalizations! Lady bugs rock!!! Your photos are incredible. I really enjoyed them.
You wouldn't happen to know where I can score some scarab beetles for my spouse, would you?
I can't get past the lady bug being the hero of this story to see it as a sweet story. When I lived in Ohio, I had a log cabin. Lady bugs (or Japanese beetles I was told) SWARMED. You would go outside and get pelted with them. They took up residence in my house. I would spend 20 minutes every morning and 20 minutes every evening vacuuming the little sucker off my windows and ceilings and light fixtures. I hate lady bugs. Hate, hate, hate. I might actually prefer car salesmen.