In Which We Mourn Our Friend Bugzilla

Friends, we have some very sad news to share. The tender-hearted might want to look away.

Some of you will remember the large green katydid who showed up about a week ago on our front porch and took to hanging out with the four fast friends.

We even posted a blip starring the large bug as Bugzilla. Alas, the bug did not have a mean bone in its body, so playing the part of a fierce attacker was quite a stretch, and involved multiple takes and lots of encouragement from the director.

On Sunday morning, after a cool night, the big green bug seemed to be moving a bit slowly. It did not have the usual gleam in its eye. By the afternoon, it was lying on its side. The situation did not look good.

The crittergators and pals gathered around our friend. We asked - was there anything we could do for it? Anything to ease its suffering?

The bug, alas, was beyond our help. While its body was still with us, we could tell its spirit was on its way to the Next Place.

So we gathered in a little circle around it, and we beamed our love and affection straight into the big green bug's heart. We wrapped our friendship around it like a cocoon.

We raised our voices, blended them, singing a gentle lullaby: a song about friendship and hope, a hymn to the green grasses and blue skies of high summer. Remembrances and celebration of the pleasures of this world, of our hopes for the glories of the Next Place.

And we kept the bug company until its earthly worries were done. We admit we might have shed a tear or two.

Go well, big green bug. We miss you already.

And we will remember you.