An Invasion of Cuteness....Or Foresight is a Lifesaver!

  After doing my chores today, I settled in at my desk to write the backstory for this October's clue hunt.  I figure it is never too early to get started so I did.  Actually, I have been working on ideas since this past November but getting them all down in story form took until today.  I was just happy to be making a bit of progress!  Things were going dandy until suddenly...kerplop!  Yep...kerplop!  A bug smacked my hand. Hmmm?  I picked up the critter and released it outside.  Alrighty then!  

  Living on a bayou, one gets accustomed to critters crawling about the place.  I have no qualms about snatching up a bug and letting it be free unless it is one of the more unsavory sort.  Those I smash...a quick and effective method of eradication.  At first glance, I thought this was a Ladybug so without second guessing myself, the bug went free.  I returned to my seat and started typing once again.  Kerplop.  Yep, another bug landed on me.  This one became entangled in the hair and let its smelly stench about it when I tried to free it. Ugh!  Another one went out the door.  This time, the foresight kicked in and I quickly covered my mug of grapefruit juice.  The coaster now became a lid!  No need in allowing the bugs a free swim lesson!  About four bugs later, my thoughtfulness paid off!  A critter landed smack dab on top of the coaster I was using as a lid!  Whew!  It was then that I realized that there was indeed a problem.  I was being invaded by the cutest critters even though I do believe I released a bunch of "False Ladybugs".  (And that may prove to be detrimental to my gardening!) Still, it was an invasion of cuteness!

  Seventeem bugs later, I decided that the vacuum cleaner would make the job easier.  Somehow, the critters must have overwintered in my walls and the warm sunshine brought them out in hoards.  A good many had the smarts to escape to freedom by going on the outside of the window screen but dozens upon dozens made their way inside through my open windows.  Outside, the Yellow-rumped Warblers were having a heyday!  Even the foul smell that the Ladybugs emit when threatened did not deter the birds.  Several of the warblers even hung around until after dark to snatch up any hapless bugs.  I only wish a couple of those birds would have ventured inside to do the job!