Friday the 13th - sitting in the sun...

[livewell]

I'm sitting on my deck and the sun is so strong that it is almost warm. Occasionally the wind dies down and, for a moment, the air warms up on this sheltered platform to the point where I can close my eyes and almost imagine it is summer, but, before the illusion gels, the breeze kisses my neck, promising winter.

It is Friday the 13^th of November, just past noon, probably creeping towards on o'clock. The house is still, my 3 month old is sleeping and the rest of the family has gone out, out to the dentist in fact. It'd too bad they must suffer in the chair for me to enjoy this quiet moment.

There is one thing that hampers the full joy of the moment.

Shingle flies. If you live in the country, you will be familiar with these creatures.

These big black flies flatten themselves and crawl under the shingles or siding, laying eggs and living life, emerging by the hundreds, thousands, on sunny days during the cold season, slightly stunned, easy targets for flyswatters, but also impervious to a waved hand, desperately trying to shoo it away from the frosty glass of Guinness.

Such was my lot - a hard life, I know.

Does anyone know the proper name for these beasts? I googled to no avail...

[EllenMeister]

Nov. 14, 2009 at 7:09 AM

This yankee never heard of them, but what a vivid picture you paint!

[nacherluver]

Nov. 14, 2009 at 7:53 AM

Wow! I was so lost in your magical day and the the big black buggars showed up! Yuck! Never heard of them and glad I've never encountered them. They seriously live under shingles? So wierd!

[livewell]

Nov. 14, 2009 at 9:58 AM

@ nacherluver - Yes - they really do...and the south side of your house is a creepy mass of them on sunny days in winter....like, one per square inch or two!

(Original Poster)

[ErikaRobin]

Nov. 14, 2009 at 10:43 AM

I don't know what they're called either, but I'd love to annihilate them for you.  Keep away from the Guinness and it's frosty glass, nasty buggers!