I dig. I started with the driest part in my backyard. We had not seen rain in a few months. Autumn just started. The light was bright, the breeze had the slightest moistness to it. I shiver at the word moistness! I hate it. Moist! Moist! Yuck.
Anyway I had watered the area last three nights. The water had soaked right through. Just like my sweat soaks right through my cotton T-shirt. I fan myself with my t-shirt - the momentary ventilation cools my skin but it is still slightly warm when I resume digging. the water had loosened the soil so breaking through the first few inches was easy. Little pebbles and gravel ping against my shoe. I also brush away looser soil with my hands.
I keep digging. Slamming the shovel into the soil, I also add an extra pressure with my feet and push it a little deeper. More soil, slightly damp. A few more shovelfuls and I hit the wet wet soil. Then I see the squiggles and wiggles. Earthworms!
I love earthworms. The most gentlest of all creatures. Ever since I read about them in high school, I have a soft corner for these creatures. Just after the rains whenever I see them, wherever I see them, I smile. If they are in the path of high foot traffic, I take a stick and move them to the side.
I call out to my daughters - both of them come running. I remove my gloves and gently take my older one's index and guide her to touch it. She squeals and laughs. The younger one moves in and leans on my back and whispers that she wants to touch the gummy worms. I pat her cheek, but don't correct her.
We sit there, looking at the worms.
