This gave me a chuckle today: https://www.facebook.com/reel/819799872675998

So far, at least. It probably also helps that I don't go out much. Never been a huge social butterfly.

I still haven't contracted COVID-19 yet.

I guess five vaccinations, remote work, wearing a mask religiously & keeping my hands & face clean have worked.

It was 93F on the porch last night just before dusk, and the interior walls were warm but not uncomfortable. The upstairs gets hella hot tho'.

.

Looks like I'm going to learn something about how well my house deals with the heat, in the next few days.

So far it hasn't been awful; the place is mostly lath-and-plaster & most of the windows have been updated to insulative vinyl. The outside of the house is also white, so it reflects heat & light.

@CoyoteConscious Thanks! I figure most bees & wasps ppl encounter are more likely than not to be female, so it just makes sense to me.

Well, first Independence Day in my own house that I bought with my own money (well the bank's money, really, but for some reason they thought I was a responsible enough adult that I could use theirs). I've never lived in a place where so many people in a residential neighborhood were setting off fireworks.

@Tattoomonkey29 Ugh I know they're beneficial insects but yeah, having them right close to your door isn't ideal. I guess the good news is that the paper wasps don't tend to return to the same nest year after years, so maybe they won't be back?

I didn't think I smelled like meat but maybe I did.

I mean humans are made of meat, really.

Altho' I know some wasps will sting more than once, so maybe it was one of those.

If I had to guess I'd say yellowjacket. They're common around here & are drawn to smells like carrion & sweat, & I was definitely sweating.

Just did a bit of yard work outside after work. Trimming some blackberries in the driveway & some little 6-legged asshole STUNG me.

I wasn't anywhere near an obvious hive or nest, didn't even see the little bugger - she literally flew up & stabbed me in the back. Twice.

So I'm guessing she's was a yellowjacket or similar, something that bites rather than stings.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7znvqc

#potato

Po-ta-toes! Boil 'em,
Mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew,
Can't say no to that!

#potato #haiku

Tuber in the soil
Soon baked with butter and salt
Get in mah belly

#potato #haiku

Having one of those days where I've been doing stuff all day yet feel like I've gotten nothing done.

I mean I could really go for a good poutine, if I'm being honest.

Um... what's with the potato thing?

@RandallTT These are beautiful! The lower quality makes them look like they were taken in the back half of the 19th century instead of early in the 21st. They remind me a bit of Cartier-Bresson's early 20th century work.

Tree of Heaven is considered a noxious weed in every state & US region I've looked at so far. Here in WA it's a Class C noxious weed, which means it's considered highly invasive plus it has an impact on agriculture throughout the state. https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/weeds/tree-of-heaven