The other night I walked into the bedroom for some reason and saw a little bug scampering along the floorboard. Something about his shape caught my eye so I went closer to get a better look. I saw pincers. And then said, “Uh, Larry? I think that’s a scorpion.” Sure enough, it was. A little tiny baby one, trying to find a crack in the floorboard so he could get out of the light (they hate bright light, and they live in cracks between rocks, which is why there are so many near to these old stone walls and homes). Larry said, “I want to put him in a jar and study him!” So, he got a jar, caught the little guy (who was mad as he** at finding himself in this new glass prison), and named him Tony the Tuscan. Larry looked him up and found his species, and we figured out he was just a little baby (I hope his mother isn’t nearby!). We’ll be checking under the bed every night before we go to sleep from now on. The funny thing is I lived in Phoenix for two years and never came across a scorpion once.

He doesn’t like Larry at all. Every time Larry picks up the jar he charges at him through the glass (he doesn’t do it when I pick it up). Since then, we’ve decided to take him for a ride – so he’s away from houses – and let him go. He deserves to live his little life out in peace.