Ladybugs

Today my ego took a bit of a bruising. Think gym class in elementary school. 'Nuf said. I'll get over it :)

Today is the third day in a row I am kicking myself for not carrying my camera around with me. This fall has been really wonderful so far. Every morning on my way to work this week, I have driven by some absolutely fantastic photo ops. I found myself slowing down to find a place to pull over before I had to remind myself not to bother because I didn't have my camera with me. Stupid me. And you know that I'll never be able to get those shots again :(

I'm thinking that the permanent onset of cold weather can't be too far off. The ladybugs are making their move and are infiltrating everyone's house for their winter hibernation. They don't bother me too much, but they are driving my sister nuts. I've tried telling her that they don't bite or hurt anything. They are just looking for a protected place for the winter. She doesn't care - she just wants to get rid of them. I tell her that she'll be sorry when her garden is attacked by aphids and the like next year because there won't be any ladybugs around to eat them.

I have a lot of things I need to get done around the house before winter really gets here. I hope the ladybugs take a long time getting ready for their winter's nap...

Fireworks

One of the things I love about Geocaching is the fact that it brings me to so many places that are practically in my backyard that I never knew existed. Fall is my favorite time to go caching, too - I love everything about it... the temperature, the color of the leaves, no bugs, better satellite reception :P

The leaves are just beginning to change around here, and Sadie was going home today. How could I pass the chance for a little caching on the way? Sadie and I visited a few new places before she got dropped off. I was introduced to some really fantastic hiking trails that I never would have guessed existed where they are. I wish it was fall all year 'round...






































As I was unpacking and cleaning up from my day of adventure, I thought I heard gunshots. I'm not a hunter, but even I know that it's way too early for hunting season. And I'm reasonably sure that people aren't supposed to hunt when it's dark out either. When I went outside to see what was going on, I was treated to a very nice fireworks display. I never thought of Columbus Day as a fireworks weekend, but I guess my neighbors across the street do... Personal fireworks are illegal here, so I don't know how they got away with it, but it was still fun to watch!