When 'Lady'bugs Go Bad . . .

Friday afternoon I went on a short hike. It was fun. On the way out there I was sitting on the train, and I realized I was having trouble concentrating on my book because . . . wait for it . . . I could understand someone talking on the train. That's right, my brain was on overload because English was being spoken. It's a good thing November starts tomorrow. (By the way, the guy speaking English turned out to be a very nice Colombian man who's here earning money for college in the Philippines. Cool.)

There was a man at the last subway station playing the accordion. I can't even describe how excited I was. I don't think I've ever walked that slowly through a subway station in my life. Magical.

I saw a snake. I actually saw it. I heard the rustling sound through the leaves, and somehow knew it was too steady to be a squirrel, and that's when I saw it! I was extremely excited. That and the accordion guy - wow!

There was a preying mantis carrying away some kind of beetle. Nature's wonders pulled out all the stops for me . . . but no, that's not all!!!

I do not know what was going on (and perhaps still is) but ladybugs attacked me for the last half of my hike. I kept looking down and there would be three or four on me! Now, I have to say, generally I'm not at all opposed to ladybugs, but these seemed to be visiting me in a particularly unladylike way. They were running into me from all different directions, flying at my face, settling on my arms, legs and torso. I had to keep swishing my hair to make sure they weren't building a nest. It was weird. I just thought I'd share. I've never even heard of anything like that before. I think one pooped on my arm. Like I said, not genteel.

(c: