Sunday, August 26, 2012

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

My slacks are ironed, my nails are polished, tomorrow’s lunch is set aside and I’m going to try to go to bed early and hope I don’t have bad dreams like I do every year before the first day of school. (I always worry that there will be a crowd of students in the office whose schedules are off, or some such nonsense). Some of our teachers have told me that they, too, have worrying dreams the night before school starts.

Our office is finally ready for opening day and I even hung a couple of my hummingbird prints that I had framed, the black & white ones I like so much. They make me happy (and I hope the children like them).

This weekend I was stung by a European working hornet, and those sure are big suckers. They’re camping out in the old lilac bush right by where I sit to take my photographs. They weren’t there the day before, and as I was setting up my little table and my chair, they came out to investigate me, then several of them began swarming above me – and I took off running toward the house - but not fast enough.

I was lucky to only get stung once. I’m sure they were defending their nest and my chair was pretty close to it. And today my arm is itching like crazy . . .



DSC_2578 copy 2

We also bought a new car this weekend – a 2013 Subaru Outback. We kept the Honda Element because we do need a second car after all, but the Element is a 2003 and we figured it was about time. I am falling in love with the Subaru, but climbing into the Element this afternoon to run an errand felt like coming home to a dear old friend. It’s going to take a long time before the Subaru feels like that but I’m looking forward to getting to know it a lot better.

The accompanying photograph isn’t all that and a bag of chips, but I enjoyed playing with it while waiting for my nail polish to dry. I took it last weekend and thought it was sweet that the little chickadee was actually inside the old birdcage that’s hanging in the yard. I waited until he perched on the rail to take the photo.

Hope you all have a good week ahead ~ until tomorrow, then.

123 Signature[5]
As for the post title - gotta love Ali.

27 comments:

RURAL said...

Lovely shot, nasty insects...that must have hurt. Love this shot, and of course the quote, it's one of my most favorite photography quotes.

We have been looking at the Subaru, they have such great reviews, and crash ratings.

What color did you get?

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Sheila said...

Have a fun day at work tomorrow! :)

beth said...

a european what what ? a hornet ? i have never even heard of such a thing.....but OUCH :(

i love that you're kind of nervous for school tomorrow....not in a mean way, but in a "you love those kids and that school" kind of way and i know you want everything perfect for everyone...because you is special and you is kind that way :)

that feeling of "coming home" to the element....well based on my experience, it will take a while before the subaru feels that way.....sadly, just saying. i will always miss my pilot :(

i hope your night is full of rest and sweet dreams and that tomorrow goes so smoothly that the whole day feels like you're sliding on ice.....
{poor metaphor but it's all i could come with}
xo

ps....send me your address :)

JaneK said...

I really really wanted an outback but there were no used ones in the area when my car died a year and 1/2 ago and I had to have a car and couldn't afford a new one... my Venza is nice but I really wanted an outback... so congrats... they are great cars!

I got Ali's signature once... pretty cool

super cool shot and finishing; it has that feel about it that it should evoke a certain feeling or song or something but my brain is too dead to be evoked :) but I really like it....

have fun at school tomorrow; try not to be nervous that things won't be right and I'll try to quit being neurotic about kindergarten :)

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Love the chickadee!

Sorry to hear about the hornet though.

Hope the first week of school is a great one. You'll be fine.

Christie - Fine Lines said...

As one who ALWAYS gets attached to my cars (and, thus, I keep them forever) I understand you feelings. However, my Subaru Forester is 3 years old now (still feels new, though) and it is the BEST car I have ever owned -- hope you love yours as much!!

Devon said...

I got a brand new ford edge in November last year.. it sure took a while to feel like a second skin so to speak, but it is such a dream to drive.. I'm sure your car will be comfortable soon, that is a great car!

I hope your first week goes well, my kids started last week. I homeschool my son and on the first day of school he said he wanted to try out the new junior high near us... long story short... he goes there now and I have a lot more free time... It always works out for the best.

Have a great week!

Hilary said...

I'm jealous.....that is my dream car....but I am being cheapo.
What color is it???
my daughter has a white one.

Jan's camera said...

Sorry to hear about that insect bite. Being nervous about going back to school brings me way back to school days. Beautiful photo.

Cloudia said...

Subarus are wonderful. First days of school - scary! Now I'm gonna have nightmares from YOURs mentioned here!



Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^=

Kerri Farley said...

OH I LOVE your little Chickadee :)
Sorry about the bee sting....
Hoping you have a restful sleep tonight!!

PS - We have a Subaru Forester - has 215,000 miles on is and still going strong :)

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

Our backyard bees stung my GSD Layla and me this summer. They had nested in the hollow tubes of the fence around our pool...she and I were going out to check the garden and were ambushed. I got stung in the BUTT (really the back of my lower right hip...but butt just the same ;) Itched for a week...I bought some new spray though and we sprayed those suckers down :p I do not like bees.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

oh, I beg to differ... it's all that and a bag of Kettle corn fresh from the popper at the state fair!

Have a wonderful first day, no kaos!

Lee Owenby said...

I love the chickadee photo!

Congrats on the new vehicle. I've been driving the same Chevy Blazer since 1989 when I bought it new. It only has about 170,000 miles on it. I'm a wee bit of a penny pincher married to a very good backyard mechanic. I've had it so long it feels like an extension of my body.

Nellie said...

Ouch, Kate! Too bad about that sting!

I wish you a smooth first day of school. This was the 10th school year beginning for me to be retired, yet I remember all too well the jitters that can accompany the first day.

We bought a new car almost three years ago. Now we think, if there is another one to buy, that we'd try a hybrid. Enjoy your new car!

Sending hugs!

Caroline said...

Omg...sorry about the hornet stig...that sucks! I hope all goes well today...I am sure it will! Funny about the car...I love my car and would feel like I was cheating on her if I got a new one...lol.

Daryl said...

Aha! You left out the part about them checking you out and you running .. had you not run, maybe just walked sort of fast you wouldnt have been stung .. poor Katy .. get some of the OTC cortisone spray!!! it will take down the inflammation and itch will be go... and I am betting this morning went well .. xoxooxox

The JR said...

I'm keeping my Element till the wheels fall off

Em Parkinson said...

Good luck tomorrow and I'm sorry about the hornet being European! I would like a Subaru Forester but an Outback would be good - very envious...

Carolynn Anctil said...

Love the quote, love the photo, love the new car. I used to sell Subaru's in another life and I can honestly say, it's a good vehicle. Good choice.

Low Tide High Style said...

I hope the first day goes off without a hitch. Our daughter drives an Outback and loves it! I love the pic, it is all that AND a big bag of chips!

Kat

Donna S. said...

Well, the first day is down now. Hope it was a smooth start!!

Ouch!! Hope you itch & discomfort goes away quickly!!

Mental P Mama said...

So how was it?? And how is your arm?

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

Did you make it through the first day? :0

I'm sure it's always a three ring circus with that many young'uns in a state of excitment.

becky up the hill said...

If I saw this photo anywhere, I'd stop and admire it. Beautiful. So sorry you got chased and stung!

Anonymous said...

Sorry about that sting! I am lucky, I've only been stung once in my life by a wasp---I think the hornets are worse! I'm so glad you got the new vehicle---now you can mark that off the list. I don't think we have bought but 1 really new car in 46 years, but we've managed.
I know you'll get used to it soon.
Trudy

Lili said...

Brings back memories of the anxiety of the first day of school...so cool to find out teachers/admins suffer from it too!! Never even thought about it. So glad you captured that shot...that is just the sweetest...what a cool cage too. Those bees are nasty little boogers. xo ~Lili