It is a little-known fact that I am a skilled crayfish catcher. When I was a kid, I spent hours knee-deep in French Creek, where we spent weekends, flipping over rocks to find them. I learned to use "anything-catchers" (strainers with handles) to trap the quick little buggers, or sometimes I just used my bare hands. I would catch a bunch and keep them in a bucket for a while, picking them up carefully and watching them scoot around. Then I would release the crayfish back into the creek so I could catch them again another day.
This summer, I started teaching Grace the tricks of the trade. She would spot them for me, I'd catch them, then she'd bring the bucket and give each one a name. One day, she sat for a good amount of time with the bucket between her legs, practicing the proper way to pick up a crayfish (right behind the claws). One grabbed her and drew blood, but she was undaunted. I love that kid. I think next summer it'll be time to pass on my anything-catchers.
Travelingjenny 
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