Terrestrial and celestial

Stripey tiger worms are responsible for the production of compost through their powers of digestion and excretion.

Staying concealed under dead leaves and other rotting vegetable matter they are not the reason tonight's  full "Worm Moon" was named by North America's first people. That was because early spring nights bring earth worms up to the surface to seek sexual partners.

Sure enough when we arrived at the village playground today my granddaughters were quick to spot numerous small worms, like tiny pink noodles, stranded on the dark surfaces  beneath the swings and climbing equipment. We spent a long time picking them off and throwing them back on to the grass. I was pleased to see that the girls had no compunction about picking them up even though some had already been crushed by  less considerate feet.