My McLain grandchildren, including, I dare to say, the ones in Vermont, are interested in bugs. Of course, Dagny would be at the top of the list, even going so far as purporting a desire to be an entymologist when she grows up. Maggie Faith is a close runner-up. The Denver McLains almost always have some sort of container housing worms or ants or roly polys which are on their last legs — all six of them. In fact, on their cross-country adventure several years ago, they even ate an insect or two. Remember this photo…..

On the other hand, my Zierk grandchildren could live forever without six-legged or eight-legged critters. I assure you, they take after their Nana. I am not a fan of God’s six- and eight-legged creatures.

At one point on Friday, 4-year-old Mylee was so distraught at the sight of several black ants on our patio that she climbed up onto one of the chairs and declared that she wouldn’t get down until the ants were dead. There was no persuading her that, while ants might not have a place in a kitchen, they certainly have a right to the outdoors.

“Where did the ants come from Nana?” she asked as if she was the health inspector. I tried explaining that they probably had a house underground and were glad to see the warm weather. Nope. She wasn’t having it. As far as she was concerned, they could just stay underground.

Later in the day, Addie came by for a visit and was outside with Mylee. I overheard Addie yell to her 4-year-old cousin, “Mylee, come see. There’s a roly poly.”

Mylee, who loves her cousin Addie, quickly rode her scooter over to where Addie was standing. I thought to myself, “Oh, oh. Girlfriend is not going to like what she sees.” As I watched, Mylee looked down, said something to Addie, turned around, and headed the other direction.

Later that night I asked Mylee what she said to Addie when she saw the roly poly.

She was quiet for a second, and then told me, “Nana, I told her that was a very good bug.”

You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your 12-year-old cousin.

Have a great weekend and may all your bugs be good bugs.