Ring of Fire

The weather is getting warmer and it is scorpion season.  Doug went out and sprayed but we usually do some hand-to-stinger combat with the little critters too.  They live along our block fence usually hiding in the cracks.  But they come out at night.  And we get out our black flashlight and go scorpion hunting.  Doug smashes them thus instantly lowering the population.

The set of missionaries currently living with us had not yet been on a hunt with us or seen the eerie glow of the scorpions as the black light shines on them.  So on Tuesday they were invited to join us on a hunt.  Stephanie and Scott were also invited to join the hunt.  And there were some sightings and a few killings and one that got away minus his stinger.


Now, there is a tale about scorpions that goes around, especially with the LDS missionaries who serve in this area.  It is called "The Ring of Fire".  The story goes that if you surround a live scorpion with fire that rather than burn to death it will instead sting itself, thus committing suicide.  We have heard it from every missionary (the count is 15 right now) that has lived with us.  And they swear that they heard it from a missionary that is serving here and they should know because they tried it and that is exactly what happened.  The missionaries always want to try it themselves.  So Doug told the Elders that he would try to catch one so they could try the Ring of Fire themselves.

Little did I know how quick and close and personal this next capture would be.  I had some luggage in the den.  My shoulder bag was sitting over on the floor too.  Yesterday I looked over and saw something move.  Upon close inspection there was a scorpion dancing around on my shoulder bag - the one I would be using in just a couple days.  Yikes!  I moved the bag and sure enough the scorpion moved too.  It was pretty lively so I was a little scared.  But I got a jar and lid and tried to catch the little critter.  But as I would move or turn or roll the bag over the scorpion would quickly relocate itself to the underside of the bag or in a crease in the bag or on the side of the bag away from me.  As the scorpion moved I would let out a small scream, curl my toes (even though they were inside my tennis shoes), and scoot back.  Then I would regain my courage and make a new attempt.  But that little sucker was too quick and me too timid.

Pretty soon I could hear the missionaries say, "Sister Selin, is everything OK up there?"  I asked them if they wanted to catch a scorpion.  They were all in.  It didn't take them long to put on their shoes and get a jar and were ready to rumble.  They were a little braver than me - no screams but they did approach at arms length.  It took them several tries at moving the bag and trying to get it into the jar - it eventually fell off the bag and attempted to flee on the carpet.  When those scorpions are on the carpet they almost disappear because they blend in so well.  But with 3 sets of eyes we were able to keep it in our sights and the jar eventually slammed over the scorpion and became a temporary holding cell.  I have no doubt that this set of missionaries will attempt to create and witness and testify to the truth of the tale called, "The Ring of Fire"!