I didn't see/haven't seen any fireflies this year, I guess that's because I'm seldom out at night. I think we usually get them around June, but can't remember.

I'm inexplicably sad to think I might have missed them.

I was inexplicably giddy when I realized this weekend that we had them here on the Eastern Shore. In my brain, they're a New England thing.

I always seem to see fireflies (or lightning bugs as we called them when I was a kid) around midsummer.

And meara, be careful about using the words "Marion Barry" and "smack" in the same sentence.

I don't remember ever noticing them in DC.

There are fireflies all around the mid-atlantic but not nearly as many as there used to be.

I don't remember ever noticing them in DC.

We had 'em when I was growing up in Arlington, but they were never so numerous as they are elsewhere.

The apartment building just up the hill from mine has a grassy area with a number of older trees and seems to attract fireflies. When I'm coming home late enough that it's starting to get dark I'll stop and watch them there. And, amusingly enough, they fly slowly enough that I can still just reach out and catch one (OF COURSE I let it go after a few seconds of admiring it).

We see fireflies fairly regularly in Western Fairfax. And a number of bird nests, which is a good thing in our neighborhood. Which, four years ago, was a forest.

We got fireflies even in Rosslyn. One actually got stuck in our car at Fort Myer...distracting to keep seeing blinking light in the rear-view mirror. We had a lot more in Fairfax though. I think Dumbarton Oaks tends to attract them as well.

Firefly is a lovely word.

My new laptop is out for delivery! Now I don't want to leave AT ALL today. Alas, I must. Thankfully, Emily will be home and can sign for it.

SQUEEEEEEEE!

Thanks again for all the thoughts on the letter last night. I really appreciate it. My dad also took a look at it, really depersonalized it, and I think, made it much better. Of course, now I'm reconsidering sending it. Mrs. Landlord left a voice mail this morning. She was very sick yesterday and was on the phone making an emergency doctor's appointment when I called. Then she went straight to the doctor's office, because she had a terrible rash and was itching and stuff (which really, is too much information).

The message was very long. Actually, she got cut off by our voice mail. She said she had talked to Mr. Landlord and that Emily had let him in and there didn't seem to be any problem, so she was unsure why I was so upset. Then she went on to say that we have been very good to them and she would hate for anything to be wrong. We always let them know right away when there is a problem, and they try to fix it right away, she said. So, now I can't decide if I should call her and say I've calmed down then explain why I was upset or if I should send the letter or if I should just let it go. Guess I'll wait and talk about it in therapy, then decide. Ugh. Sometimes I hate being a responsible adult.

Don't just let it go, vw. This has been an ongoing problem and they need to be made aware of it. Think of their future tenents who may suffer as you guys have from the constant interruptions and liberties these people take. You PAY them to live there and they owe you that respect.

I'd go ahead and send the letter. It's a more dispassionate way to communicate the problem and you can do it without getting flustered or upset.

She's probably aware of what the issue is and I'm sure she's trying to diffuse the situation. Don't let her play on your sympathies. She's very unprofessional and she shouldn't be in the business of renting if she's not going to respect her tenents.