Fred

I have domesticated a wild creature and he is my new pet. Yesterday we were eating shrimp together outside on the porch swing and I realized he needed a name. I like Fred for his name because it sounds so harmless. And if you are going to have a pet wasp you need a name for him that counters people's expectations that he will bite them and make them cry.

You know? So Yesterday I told my friend who had actually prepared the shrimp for us to eat, "Oh, don't worry - that's just Fred. He likes shrimp." That Fred liked shrimp was obvious. There he was digging in with gusto as one of the plump ones while I was nibbling delicately on a smaller one. My friend was unprepared for this I could tell. He seemed frightened. He told me to not think less of him but he didn't like insects very much and he wanted to finish eating inside. I felt bad for Fred. He barely got to eat anything before the picnic was over.

I am discovering that wasps, like dogs, are very intuitive and Fred understood. He just left. He didn't get mad or make me feel guilty. He's so sweet. And he didn't hold it against me either this morning either when I went out on the porch for morning scriptures. He just came over and casually hung out and then left to do something more interesting.

For those who have never had a wasp as a pet or a friend, I want to tell you how to begin. Wasps are very sensitive so make sure you radiate lots of peace and love. Negativity bothers them. They like meat. I know this because I read it and also because one bit off a chunk of meat off my leg once. I think he must have been very hungry. I don't begrudge him, but it did hurt. And so now I like to feed them other things so they don't get desperate. Fred was cautious eating around me initially. And I can see that there a emotional hurts that have to be overcome in building a relationship with a wasp. Sometimes when Fred and I are hanging out in the afternoon, someone will attack him for no reason. No reason at all!

There he is giving my little wasp kisses on my arm with his wings, sometimes perched on my shoulder, sometimes on my knee. Relaxed, enjoying the day. And before I can say anything someone has taken a swipe at him. It makes me sad but Fred understands and leaves us. Lately he'll only come be friends if I'm by myself. I really like him. I think its mutual. I think what brought us together is how we both love just feeling the peace and calm outside on the porch. If you come over I will introduce you to him if you want. And you can feed him too, or maybe you'll have to give the food to me and just watch him tear into it. He's the cutest eater I've seen since my little sisters grew out of their high chair. Both hands going, ... you can tell he loves food and that he is comfortable with being watched. I think Fred and I will always be friends. When he dies this winter, we will still be buddies in both of our hearts and someday we will be together again.