nightcrawlers

it has been raining a lot the past couple weeks and I have loved every minute of it! cloudy, rainy days are my absolute favorite. I'm sure you all know how badly I want to live in Seattle. however, yesterday as I was walking down the sidewalk at work I noticed that a few worms had crawled up out of the grass and onto the sidewalk where they, of course, didn't survive. I had flashbacks of college because there were almost always dead worms on the sidewalks on campus and at my apartment. but, then I had a memory that I hadn't thought of in years and years and I decided that I should share it on my blog, and that I would make my childhood memories a recurring topic. I was also thinking just yesterday about how my childhood and teenage years seem like a totally different lifetime, and sometimes I don't feel like they are really my memories. so much has happened in the past 10 years or so and it has moved me farther and farther from the life I knew up until I was 18 years old. but, no matter how distant it seems, it is a huge part of who I am and it molded me into what I have become. even the very small things like the memory I am going to share with you today, and I think remembering them will help me embrace that part of me instead of feeling like a stranger to it. so, without further ado, here is my nightcrawler memory.


"my grandparents had a huge window in their living room that looked out into the front yard. it was a death trap for many birds, but that is a different story for a different time. I remember spending what felt like hours sitting in front of that window staring at the grass in the front yard waiting for the sun to go down after a rain storm. my grandpa loved to fish, and the best bait for him was the nightcrawlers that came out of his very own lawn. I was so excited to help him on this adventure that I couldn't focus on anything else. we had our styrofoam cups all ready, with just enough moist soil. our flashlights were lined up just waiting to be turned on and my jacket was waiting quietly by the front door. I remember staring intently at the grass, just waiting to see a nightcrawler get brave enough to poke up out of the dirt. they thought they were safe at night time, but my grandpa and I had a surprise for them! My grandpa kept looking over and saying, "Christa, do you see any yet?" "have you seen one yet?" I hadn't, but my nose got closer and closer to the window until the steam starting blocking my view.

all right, I think it's time!" and then I grabbed the cup, flashlight and bolted to the door. we quietly walked along the sidewalk while moving the flashlights slowly along the edges of the grass waiting for the nightcrawlers to show. when none appeared we would move a few few in and keep looking. when they appeared we had to quickly grab them and put them safely in our styrofoam cups. they were slimy and fast. it was all very exciting. I loved being involved in something so closely with my grandfather. no matter what I did with him, it was always an adventure. I miss him a lot...