Falling, fire trees & the Stank Bug Wars

Thanks to groweat.blogspot.com for the laugh.

So. It's here. Fall. And finally we're getting a taste of this glorious season—and I'm not just talking pumpkin lattes and pastries; though, I think I've hit up just about pumpkin-flavored treat this side of the Mississippi. The hillsides are lit up with every fiery shade imaginable, and for once, I'm glad to be a Pennsylvanian suburbanite. There aren't many times you'll hear me say that... Let's face it: unless you're glued to your careers or your families, most of us are forever planning our escape routes. It's like one of those emergency exit maps on the wall, you know? I'm sure we all have them taped up in our heads.

We bitch about the cold. We bitch about the heat. And if there is any middle ground, it's probably raining. So when fall rolls around and the colors pop, I think—just maybe—it's not so bad.

But then again, the Stank Bug Wars of 2012 make this cooler weather a plight all its own: a battle of wits, perhaps, to keep these resilient, alien-faced troops out of our homes, our cars and, as of the other day (for this girl), our beds. Listen, folks, it's no joke. These nasty warriors sport camouflage and a visible armor reminiscent of Zelda's shield. It's not bad enough they can fly, but these nasty bastards are running amok on stick legs with some ungodly self-adhesive properties, making them more than a bitch to remove from your clothes or your hair.


And if you think I'm being dramatic, I probably am. Bugs are an irrational fear of mine. Besides, according to Stink Bug Smackdown, they don't DIE. Stinkbugs just HIBERNATE. In your house, people! If you don't think this is a problem, then why don't you come take mine with you, huh?!

Oh, and something delicious to remind you about, as my friend just so sweetly reminded me (you know who you are!), there is a recipe for a stink-bug-seasoned bean dip. Yeah, apparently these lemon-headed creeps taste like cilantro! In Bruce Leshan's article on 9News Now, "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Eat 'Em," you can find a recipe for Stink Bug Tacos even.

Shit, people... get on this train. You eat the bugs. They leave me alone. Simple.

I drew a little cartoon here. Can I tell you? I actually gagged whilst drawing the "unders." Gross.

And I think that is about all for today. Up all night grading papers last night, spending my day working...still thinking about all the things I want to do. Such is life.

Hopefully you're enjoying what is left of the season... sans the stink bugs.