Ladybugs Get Busy

Yesterday there was a big football game on TV, so we thought we'd go where there would be less people -- outside! We went on a hike. It was quite peaceful and woodsy and we spotted just a few people there. When we were tramping down one of the trails, one of those people advised us "Keep an eye out for the big bunches of ladybugs mating!"

Huh?

So for about a mile, everytime the Chef would stop and look at a flower, or a stump, or moss growing on a rock, I would frantically ask "What? What are you looking at?! Is that the wild ladybug orgy?!?" and then "Where are they?!?! Do you think we missed it?" "Do you think it's subtle?" "Do you think we'll step on them?" "Do you think we need to be going the other way to spot it?" The Chef knows how to deal with this constant questioning, he just doesn't respond.

Finally, we turned a corner and there it was -- kind of hard to miss. Giant bunches of ladybugs mating. It was odd. Are they really mating or are they just bunching? Will there be a giant baby ladybug swarm in a few weeks? Will they attack hikers? Where do they lay the eggs? Will we step on them if we hike again on that trail? Have you ever seen so many ladybugs? Which ones are the ladies?

That's okay, you don't have to respond.





Oh yeah, we saw some big trees and stuff too.