I like the idea of camping ...

I like the idea of camping. I really do. I always have, ever since the days when Debra and I and the rest of the kids in the neighborhood would have sleepovers in our big orange tent set up in the yard — the same tent where, one summer night between fourth and fifth grade, I let Jerry get to third base (bypassing first and second), mainly because he liked me and I was sorta wondering how it felt to be touched down there. (Trust me, it wasn’t sexual, but it was sensual; we fell asleep with him holding me, and ever since then, I’ve always loved falling asleep with someone holding me, somewhere.)

It has been approximately 13 years, give or take one or two, since I’ve been camping. Which is inexcusable, really, considering I live near a lake that has at least 10 public or private campgrounds around it. Plus there’s always the option of setting up camp pretty much anywhere, really, but ... I don’t have much desire to do so. I hate trying to sleep when I’m hot and sweaty — especially when it’s not The Good Kind of hot and sweaty! — and I hate mosquitoes, and every time I’m out past sundown in any kind of woodsy area, I get attacked by those damn bugs!

Still, I do like the idea of camping. And I am especially intrigued by the notion of selling all (well, OK: most!) of my worldly possessions and buying an RV and living in it, traveling from place to place based solely on where I feel like going ... and where I have friends who won’t mind me parking in their garage or back yard for a few days at a time!

: )

Di: The shoes were so hideous-looking, I simply had to have them!

They’re the Merrell Chameleon something-or-others; I got them on sale toward the end of last year and wore them for the first time when I was out in Arizona, and I’ve also worn them to go tromping around here. (I don’t actually ever call what I do “hiking,” but, boy, if I did, these shoes would be GREAT for it!)

: )

Some critters from the past coupla days:

This is a great spangled fritillary (and possibly a beetle or some other kind of bug) on pinkish flowers that look like kittens or maybe teeny-tiny elephants.

An upside-down ladybug on white flowers. (OK, OK: I know I am slacking in the research department ... but I know at least one person who would give me a little credit for that!)

A honeybee lands on some butterfly milkweed.

The flowers in these next two shots are the same color of the dress my mom made me when I went to Prom my freshman year of high school.