Religious Tickles.

the following appeared in some early editions yesterday

A Praying Mantis tickled me yesterday.

It happened thus – the plants looked thirsty, I thought -you need water, I reached for the watering can and stopped.

The Praying Mantis was sitting on the handle.

I’m not scared of Praying Manti, Mantises, Mantissi….these things, but they spook me a bit; I think they know more than I do.

But my young struggling maple bush really needed a drink so I took the handle by an extreme end and carefully held it under flowing tap.

The water supply where I live is gentle, so I took the time to contemplate the early October rose that is open.

And that is when she/he/it tickled my hand.

It wasn’t a touch, neither a feel, but a calculated tickle.

The Mantis had stretched forward two articulated limbs and was independently activating them in much the same way I would use the two fingers on my right hand.

I have MORE than two fingers on my right hand by the way, but If I find my self in tickling mode it is the index and middle that I would employ.

In fact I haven’t being in tickling mode much of late……

Mental note to self – if I get a chance I should.

Maybe that’s what the Mantis thought.