A new bug friend and other nature study

This is our new prize specimen. He's a Lethocerus americanus and he's roughly 3 inches long. It's currently under hot debate what his fate will be- will we feed him and keep him? Will we let him die and send him in to 4H? We'll see!

It's hard to see, but that green sign says, "Mississippi River" and the picture to the right is the Mighty Mississippi. This is just north of the headwaters and south of where we live. It's still amazing to me how small the river starts and how large and powerful it becomes.

River marshes like this will be teaming with wild rice- if it ever heats up.

Also- one of my dear friends requested the Sweet and Sour recipe, so here it is:

Mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1 TB of cornstarch in a sauce pan. Add juice from drained can of crushed pineapple combined with enough water that it equals 1/2 total. Set aside pineapple. Stir in with 1/3 cup white vinegar and 1 TB of soy sauce.

Heat to boiling over medium heat stirring constantly. Stir in pineapple and sliced green pepper.

Enjoy!