Trash to Treasure :: Snail Love

I'm a second-generation, skilled trash-picker. When I'm driving through our suburban streets, I'm keenly aware of what people have placed along their curbs for some lucky passerby to discover. This skill was bred into me, as no one is a better trash-to-treasure picker than my daddy. It's served me well over the years, as I've garnered some fabulous finds. Yesterday's treasure was a bit more modest...

I stopped to check out a bucket full of Legos sitting patiently by a mailbox, hoping to find a new home. My 7-year-old nephew, a Lego master, and my oldest chick jumped out to help me determine its worthiness. While I loaded up our Lego jackpot, Selby discovered a more natural treasure...

...she grinned from ear-to-ear and begged to bring this cute little snail home. Who could resist? So "Snaily" rode home in her hands; then we got to work creating him a lovely terrarium habitat.

We spent a lot of time watching him (or her?) check out his fancy new digs, which includes pink flowers and jewels, of course. Snaily booked it all around the little box we set up, crawling over rocks and across moss, leaving a telltale trail behind him.

We were all enchanted. So much so, the only evening meal I'd prepared was for Snaily, who was happily exploring a salad of flower petals, fresh kale and spring lettuce. Certainly I can justify feeding my children frozen pizza and applesauce because I was too busy playing with them to make dinner. Right?

Before bed, Selby said to me: "Mommy, I've been wishing for a pet and now nature gave me one!" I smiled, knowing some of the greatest gifts are free, just waiting to be discovered, whether it be on the side of the road or under a leaf.