It's raining a very light, drizzly rain this morning with temps around 70 degrees @ 0700 and about 1/8 inch of rain thus far. More like a steady sprinkle with a little heavy fog. But it's still a very pretty morning for just taking a walk around the yard and seeing everything in the cool, damp weather. Everything looks differently in a foggy drizzle. The world is refreshed and invigorated with a lot of activity going on that can't be seen at any other time. It should be the desire of everyone and especially gardeners, to get out and view the world at these times. Everyone that does, and will pay attention to the little details going on around them, will gain a new respect and appreciation for the natural world.

Of the many things I saw this morning, besides the number of slugs that were active of which I have many, was the life and death struggle between two tiny figures. But, before I get ahead of myself, let me set the stage first in order to better appreciate what transpired. The dainty, gossamer web was built in the upper leaves of one of the Shasta Daisies in the side yard. A tiny little web that wouldn't even have been noticed at all if it weren't for the moisture that clung to the web making it stand out a shimmering, silvery color against the dark green leaves of the daisy. The web was constructed with an upper and lower web, which were rather dense, much like a ceiling and floor. In between the two was an open area, like a gallery, in which the activity took place. The entire area wasn't more than 2 or 2 1/2 inches across.

Within this open area, the rapid movements, which is what caught my eye, occurring within revealed a tiny, bright green figure less than 1/8 inch long frantically hopping first this direction and then another in jerky circles around the web. Upon further observance, I noticed another tiny figure less than the size of a pin-head, brown or grey in color (it was hard to tell because the figure was so tiny), also moving in very quick, jerky circles following the green figure When the green figure moved, the other tiny figure moved. When the green figure turned, the other figure turned. On and on they went, round and round the gallery of the web. This went on for several seconds. All of the movements were so fast that I wasn't able to determine just who the two tiny figures were, even though by now I suspected their identity.

After several seconds the movements stopped with only one green figure being evident and their identities were revealed. After getting down for a closer look, it became evident that the figures participating in this spectacle of "chase me, chase me" were a tiny green "Leaf Hopper" and a tiny "Spider" locked in a life and death struggle for survival. The Leaf Hopper to save its life and the spider for a meal that would sustain its life. This got me to thinking a great many things:

1. How much this is like life. All living things struggle with a great number of things; the necessities of life, personal gain, that which brings pleasure, power or social standing and yes, occasionally for life itself or to preserve it.

2. When it comes to the bottom line, the only struggles that matter are those which support life. Life and the moment in which it is lived are all that we truly have. Everything else is just "stuff".

3. Life and death, while being "polar opposites" are all part of and synonymous with the existence of what we call "life". Each needs, feeds off of and depends on the other. Without one, the other cannot exist. One is as much a part of living as the other.

4. Neither is to be feared. But rather understood and excepted as "being". They are, have been and always will be the beginning and end of what we call life for all things. The middle, in which we currently reside cannot exist without the ends to support it and between the two, we walk an uncertain walk called life. These are the foundation upon which everything else exists.

5. All life exists but for a little while and then it gives way to and makes a place for another to take its place. Life goes on. One beginning unto one ending upon this earth.

6. All life that exists as we understand life to be, is powerless to cancel out either end of life. For when either end is lost, non-existence in the present form takes its place and consumes the whole.

7. It is good that we have cool, drizzly mornings in which to find contemplation and the ability to learn many hidden things of life.

8. All of Nature exists to teach the living about life. It is our decision as to whether or not to learn what nature has to teach us.

9. It is mankind who is credited with the higher intelligence on this planet. A credit that is thrust upon mankind by mankind itself as a tribute to our own vanity. Yet, it is mankind who is the most ignorant about life. No other life form on this planet exhibits such a closed mind toward, and a lack of interest in, the lessons that surrounds us every day.

10. It should be the goal of every person to grab a magnifying glass and raincoat and take advantage of every foggy. drizzly morning they can. Yet I contend, that few will ever know or ever appreciate the wonders of such.

Among many others, it was these things that came to the forefront of my mind as I strolled this damp drizzly morning. Oh how much I do enjoy a cool, damp, drizzly morning spent outdoors. The freshness of it and the lessons it can teach. I shall look forward to the next time and pray that I may be able to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn. For there in the still, damp coolness of the morning, it is I who shall become the better for it.