Dear Reader:

As I watched the progression of Anne’s blue crab painting, on Facebook, I knew I wanted a copy of this little cutie when it was finished.

Timing is everything….after I got home from Mt. Pleasant Friday, I unpacked and plopped on the sofa for a cat nap before starting yesterday’s blog. I had just finished it when Anne called and asked what I was doing for supper. “Nothing” I said…”My mind hasn’t gotten that far yet.” Anne invited me for supper to try out a new “tomato pie” pastry that looks like a pizza and was out of sight!

She said she always took magazines on vacation to read which she never did at home and found the tomato pie pastry recipe under one of Paula Dean’s favorites. It is now my favorite too!

We had ro·tis·ser·ie chicken with these wonderful pastry slices of tomatoes, herbs, and cheese…..melts in your mouth. As we were eating Anne mentioned that she had picked up the reproductions of the blue crab and had a few extra copies.

“Sold” I yelled and was even luckier to get a set of note cards that had just come in with the blue crab on it too.

I love pictures of crabs and am always fascinated watching the little fiddler crabs whenever I am at the beach. They play a constant game of hide and seek….but then in real life don’t we humans play the same game (when you stop and think about it?)

*I have decided to name my blue crab “Carolina”…quite fitting since the Atlantic coast is home to the blue crab population.

I found some information on crabs that connects them to us through certain enlightening human behaviors.

Scientists also have found that crabs live by the age-old saying, “Love thy neighbor.” If a male Australian fiddler crab’s burrow is being invaded by an intruder looking to take over the burrow, his male neighbor will leave his own burrow to help fight off the intruder.

Scientists have also found that the two neighboring crabs will never fight each other, and they even work hard to keep their homes clean and comfortable for their babies. So sweet!

If you get caught cheating on your homework, you’ll hopefully learn from your mistake and never do it again. Crabs can also retain information so that they don’t make the same mistakes in the future!

In one instance, researchers moved a screen over water above crabs to mimic the cues of a seagull or other predators passing overhead. At first, the crabs ran into their burrows. But after a few times, the crabs learned that the darkness didn’t correspond with danger, and they no longer fled.

Because of the biological dynamics of the legs being attached to the side with their “knees” bent outward…..crabs must move sideways to meet their goals. 

Don’t we humans also have to stop sometimes and do a quick step to the side to give a situation more consideration before deciding whether to go forward or backward?

*Never taking a direct (forward, or head-on) route, the crab makes its way on land with a sideways tap-dance.

This is a reminder that not all paths are direct and not all ways will be forthcoming in their meaning. When you are moving in a certain direction, and you feel a bit misguided, call upon the travel-savvy crab. She will guide you in an unorthodox way – taking lesser known paths of least resistance and bring you to clarity.

Crabs communicate with each other by drumming or waving their pincers. Humans use their hands to wave a greeting to another human being. 

Just like humans come in all different types of skin tone, so do crabs…..all the colors of the rainbow plus more are found in the beauty of crabs.

Unfortunately the blue crab, like “Carolina,” is the most popular species of crabs to eat and thus their life span (3 years) is a difficult task to accomplish.

Unlike their close cousin, the lobster, who can live up to 100 years…blue crabs are just too desired in seafood restaurants.

Eric Carle’s beautifully illustrated children’s book about Henry the Hermit Crab is a great book to read to children who are going through an unsettling change….like a move to a new home.

Since hermit crabs outgrow their shells they constantly have to venture out on the ocean floor, watch out for predators while they search for a larger home with more room. Then just when they get settled back in and learn all their neighbors, it is time to move again.

Henry learns however, that every move has brought him into contact with new friends who help him decorate his shell and keep him company….soon he doesn’t dread his next move so much, but looks on it as a new adventure….with opportunities to make new friends.

…………………………….

So until tomorrow….Let us take the time to learn valuable lessons from all God’s creatures….especially the crabs. Be a good neighbor, learn from our mistakes, take time to move sideways and give ourselves time to think about our next step in life, welcome diversity with all the other colored crabs in the world, be friendly and wave at others, don’t fear change but look on it as an adventure and (For Heavens’ Sake) stop being “crabby”.…life is too short not to be happy!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*I got “Rabbit” a little more spruced up for the Fourth of July tomorrow! I hope everyone has a most wonderful holiday….it’s all about FREEDOM and on the fourth we get to “taste” freedom with hot dogs and hamburgers! Don’t forget the watermelon!

*Just got these beautiful pictures of Sis Kinney’s day lilies….in the mountains they are just coming into their own. Thank you Sis for sharing your “delights of the day” with us. Ours are definitely on the down slope.

After buying “Carolina the Crab” we tried a “twosie” photo with the painting…..and at least we aren’t two old crabby crabs….we can still be silly. Anne sent another photo with just the painting she declared “more dignified”….but who wants that….the painting stands alone but this one is funnier.