Shoo fly!

I had initially planned to use this photo for Macro Monday, but then...

Chelsea over at Yellow House had a photo challenge this week.

This week's theme is "Your Best Shot."

I wouldn't say that this is the best shot I've ever taken in my whole entire life, 

but this is the best shot that I took today, 

so why not enter it?

And while I'm at it...
I'll double up and use it on Macro Monday as well.

Because....

I'm pretty sure that's my reflection on his back
And I think it's pretty funny.

How's that for a self-portrait?!  :)

By the way, Chelsea... thanks for the mention and the awards.
I'll take all four!  :)

Summer

One of my newer bloggy friends, one who happens to live in one of my favorite places in the world (Seattle) has been hosting a photo challenge.

This weeks theme was "summer."  

I scoured through my most recent shots, and it took a while before I found anything that said "summer" to me.  But then I found this guy.

Summer is hot and it brings out all sorts of bugs.

(like the ants in my house!  Erghh!)

While I'd really rather not be stung, bees definitely have their place in this world and I kind of like them.

You can check out some other summery shots here.

In case you are wondering... I've managed to catch a mouse.  

I'd like to think that that was the only one, but we'll see what happens tonight. 

What's so special about my town?

Over at Yellow House, we were asked,

"What makes your town unique?"

Well... truth is...

The actual town that I live in is pretty much boring.

There is nothing particularly unique or interesting about it and I tried to come up with something.

I really did.

But it's mostly suburbia on steroids, full of cookie cutter houses and strip malls full of chain restaurants and box stores. 

However, just a 15-20 minute drive will get me to this location.

Manassas, VA.

The location of the Battle of Bull Run.

The first time we visited there, we took some time to check out the visitors center.

They have a large map display with lights that light up to show you the advancement of the troops.

The confederates were the red lights, the union troops were blue.

(Here's where I mention that both my husband and I are from Northern states.

Here's also the part where I offend any of my Southern readers.)

I didn't know that my Northern roots had extended through my children until Grant asked me which lights represented which army. 

"The blue is the north and the red is the south."

"Oh," he says loudly, "So the blue is the good guys!"

I clamped my hand over his mouth so fast and whispered,

"Be quiet!  You're going to get us killed!"

Did I mention that my town is home to the NRA's  National Firearms Museum?