Topic for the day... Why do I hate Canadian Geese and now Ladybugs?
When I was growing up on our small farm outside Annapolis, Maryland, the Spring and Fall were always special for me. The Canadian Geese would majestically fly overhead in their V shaped formation heading either North or South. I would imagine their final destination, and wonder at the ability to fly. We did not have a pond on our farm, so I never had the opportunity to share the land with them thus never thought anything other than how beautiful Canadian Geese are.
Ladybugs are my favorite insect? They way they tickled when I was lucky enough to find one and it would crawl on my fingers. The beautiful red and orange colors combined with the perfect black spots make them so cute. What is the best is that they appear to be the least offensive insect in the world.
Roll forward to adulthood. In the late 90's I moved to Columbus, Ohio, where I had a pretty little townhouse on a man made lake. Here, the Canadian Goose took on a whole new meaning. They landed, had adorable goslings and pooped all over my sidewalk and patio. One beautiful day, a goose even tried to prevent me from entering my home, and when I tried to go around it, proudly guarding my front walk, it attacked, and chased me back to my car. Today, I do not live in the travel lanes of the Canadian Goose. Good for them, because I will admit that when I happen to see one that has blown off course, waddling across the road, my foot begins to itch, and I just can't help pushing a little harder on the accelerator.
Now 15 years later, picture an abnormally warm winter in Atlanta. It is the beginning of February. The azalea's and daffodils are already blooming. Today, the weather is predicted to be 65 degrees and sunny. The children are going to the park for a picnic. Every Fall in my home, there is a short period, before the few weeks of freezing weather we get in Atlanta, where the ladybugs come inside to get warm. This period is usually just a little annoying. As soon as it gets cold, they all die, and we spend the rest of the winter and early Spring ladybug free. Not this year. It has been so warm, and the cold days so few, that not only are they not dying, they are multiplying. Now, I have dead or dying ladybugs by the dozen around every window, in the kitchen sink, even on a bright yellow mug in my drying rack which I suppose they wish is a flower. They crunch when you inadvertently step on them, and fly into your hair when you open the curtains. Oh well, guess I'll just have to continue to clean up the dead ones, dodge the live ones and continue to encourage my five year old to catch them and set them free. Why? Because the exterminator explained to us that ladybugs are protected by law, and cannot be "treated."
Now, you know the real story. As I reread this post, I realize there are parts of me of which I'm not too proud, but am not willing to change. I admit it... I do not like Canadian Geese, and now ladybugs.
1 comment:
After reading my post, my husband reminded me about my new dislike for squirrels. They got into our attic and chewed a 8" hole in the facia. I'm assuming for easier access. $1,500 later, our house is squirrel proof, but not after one got into my house proper. It just sat there watching me. The dogs found it. I was able to open a door for it to escape to safety. I should have let the dogs follow.
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