Ants, A Package of Oreos, And a Rubber Tree Plant

I woke up with that silly “Rubber Tree Plant ”song on continuous loop in my head. I have no idea why. I associate that song with ants; and, I have to tell you, I am not a particular fan of the ant. You might say, the ants and I, we have history that goes something like this. Once upon a time, at about the midnight hour, my defenses were down, I was craving cookies, I was so very weak and found myself in desperate need of their sugary sustenance. I succumbed to my indulgence leaving a trail of crumbs from the kitchen, down the hallway, up the stairs and to my bed. My serotonin uptake reached optimal levels. Feeling satisfied, I peacefully drifted off to sleep.

In the wee, early morning hours, I had what can only be described as a most wonderful dream, dare I say a miraculous vision. I was in a magical place where my dual chocolate disc delicacies, with their deliciously sweet creamy-filled yumminess, were floating one after another on what can only be described as an invisible assembly line. “Magic?” I asked.. well, myself-- because no one else was awake. “No” myself replied, “This is a very special place where cookies are available on demand;and, you can indulge all day, every day and never gain weight” ….”This is fantastic” I began to respond when, wait a minute, hold on, I know that voice, that is not the Dream Narrator, that is the Rationalizer. “Too much,” the Rationalizer asked? “Yes,” I replied, “little bit.”

This was not a dream at all, this was a nightmare, this was ANTS. Doggoneit, I fogot to replace the ant traps and now an army of little black demons had secured a perimeter around my bed and were providing cover for the special ops teams who had been sent in to execute “Operation Oreo."

There were hundreds, no thousands, no tens of thousands! OK, I tend to speak in hyperbole when I am under stress; and, nothing says stress like seeing your Oreo's being carried out the door one after another. Those little bastards left me with nothing but an empty package and my memories. They took every last cookie and didn’t leave me a crumb. I checked. I was hungry. That was going to be breakfast. Well played Ants, well played.

I have to hand it to that large army of tiny soldiers, they were well-trained. They executed their mission flawlessly. However, I do think that the volume of boots on the ground was a bit excessive. I mean there weren’t exactly that many cookies left in the package. My midnight indulgence was more along the lines of a Cookie Monster Extravaganza rather than a responsible pre-portioned treat. Seriously, who does that? Pre-portioned treats? Go big or go home. I was at home and I still went big.

I think those ants were sending me a message. I get it. Perhaps I do spray a little bit more than the recommended amount of pesticide; and, perhaps that does equate in “ant terms” to a nuclear attack annihilation of their ant colony. Future generations become radicalized and before you know it all Hell has broken loose in the ant activist community organizations. I concede I get a bit drunk with the fire power; but, we are talking about Oreos. I know might doesn’t make right; and, perhaps I can tone it down a little. Forgiveness and bridge building take time. I am willing to consider treaty discussions under the right circumstances. I do have conditions.

Getting back to the continuous loop of “Rubber Tree Plant.” What is that all about? I am wide awake so I might as well fire up the search engine. Isn't the internet amazing, a literal plaground for the ADD adult. Let's start with “fun ant facts”. Did you know that an ant can lift 50 time its body weight. It has to be true. I read it on the internet. Or, how about this, ants began farming before humans; and, they will enslave other ants to make them do the chores that some privileged ants just aren’t willing to do. Here is a fact that I found fascinating. If ants get separated from their colony, they can lose the original scent trail home. When this happens,they will follow the pheromones of the other ants in their group. This causes all the ants to run around in circles, desperately trying to get home; but, getting nowhere fast. Eventually all the ants become exhausted and die. Scientist call this an ant death spiral. Ant cynics call it karma. I am withholding judgment because I am evolving on this topic.

Ants actually share many similar social characteristics with humans. They form large ant families, or colonies; they work in teams; they are very organized; they are fiercely protective of one another; they will fight to the death to protect their children; and, just like humans, they can lose their way and become separated from home. Those little guys lose focus, get distracted and before they know it they are marching lock step to the beat of an ant- death spiral, dirge. That one kind of chokes me up a little bit. Ant sh*^t just got real.

So I ask, just what is it about that one, special, little- old ant. The ant dude that inspired Jimmy Van Heusen to penn the lyrics to an Oscar winning song in 1959. Did you know that fun ant fact? I suppose technically it isn't an ant fact; but, still it is kind of cool. Frank Sinatra, introduced the world to the song in his movie “A Hole in the Head.” I just viewed Frank Sinatra’s rendition on youtube and I have to say I am feeling pretty good about that little old ant. You know what sets him apart and makes him special? Well, it's hope, that's what it is. In fact, that is the name of the song--"High Hopes." Silly me, it is not "The Rubber Tree Plant" song at all.

This happy little tune is about hope in the face of adversity. ..Next time your found with your chin on the ground, there’s a lot to be learned, so look around….Just what makes that little old ant think he can move that rubber tree plant. Anyone knows that an ant, cant, move a rubber tree plant…..But…..Come one everyone--Sing it with me now….He’s got HIGH HOPES, He’s got HIGH HOPES……He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes......

Perhaps now I understand why “The Rubber Tree Plant” song is on continuous loop. I was not capturing the meaning at all. I wasn't even referring to the song by its correct title. But, that ant knows. In the face of a challenge, it doesn’t matter one ant iota to him what anyone else thinks, or believes, because that old ant KNOWs he can move the rubber tree plant--even if you, or, I think that an ant, can’t.

Maybe an ant can teach me thing or two, or three about life and hope. I just listened to Frank Sinatra's rendition on youtube and I am feeling quite hopeful right NOW. Listen here for a little pick me up this morning or whenever. I am not sayin all your problems will just go kerplop, kerplop ; but, then again I am not saying they won't. I guess it just depends on what you believe~Becky Bro

All problems just a toy balloon They'll be bursted soon They're just bound to go pop Oops, there goes another problem kerplop Oops, there goes another problem kerplop Oops, there goes another problem kerplop, kerplop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWZ-pLUb9L8