slug slime and spitbugs

It's another rainy day in Washington; complete with an early morning opening shift at work (beginning at 4:30a)! The rain tends to bring out the best beautiful ever-green scenery in Western Washington, but also gives some interesting creatures a place to inhabit. Two such creature I regretted sticking my fingers into while gardening were and slugs and spit bugs.

Little green or brown spit bugs sit on grasses or green plants and protect themselves by creating a nice frothy foam around their tiny bodies all the while sucking juices from the plant. I just read that they are also better jumpers than a flea!

The slug is nearly as messy to step on as dog doodoo. This harmless creature usually scares me every time it appears in front of my feet. They have a nice set of feelers out front and a pretty jelly-like substance. If you "salt" them, they will slime out, die and leave a puddle of sticky ooze behind. They also enjoy beer. So, if you pick up a heavy beer can on the side of the road out this direction, it's likely full of prisoned slugs.

In other news, I've been observing a lot of hills around the Bellingham area on my runs and bike rides. On Monday, my Ice friend, Elizabeth and I went on a bike ride for 30 miles, or so. Some of the hills were quite painful, but I made it full circuit with her. Inspired, by that success, I decided to run the entire length of the Woburn/Yew Street hill where I've been living. This turned out to be a 25 minute entirely upward accomplishment. I have yet to measure the distance, but I'd guess it is nearly 2 miles. That make the challenge of Scott Base Hill in Antarctica look like an ant hill.

Well, it looks like I got 4th place in the snapfish photo contest. I haven't been contacted about my prize (a gift certificate). It was a pretty poorly run contest for the most part; very confusing, and uninformative for the contestants! But, thanks for your support and votes!