The Horde approaches...

  Stacking wood today, crushed apples under my feet swarmed by yellow-jackets,  the yellow-jackets were calm enough, far more interested in the apple mush than stinging me.  Cloudy, damp and not a breeze was to be had, absolutely the wrong day to stack wood, but it's gotta get done.  After 4 or so loads with the tractor and trailer were stacked, I went in just as the sun came out.  

  Then I noticed them, just a few at first, then more.   I went to let the dogs out and inadvertently let in a dozen or so,  the front of the house was covered.   LADYBUGS!  Millions of them, the horde has arrived, and so the fall rituals here begin,  pull the air conditioners, close the screens, shut the storm windows.

Fall is here in New England!