The ladybugs are arriving.
Every year about this time
they first appear outside on the white trim
on the southeast corner of my house.
At least that’s where I notice them first
because there’s always a crowd
that catches my eye.
I’ve learned to look inside then,
and sure enough,
they are in my bedroom.
There are two large fig trees
in my bedroom,
which make a fine habitat for them
because they feed on aphids.
I love that they choose to live here in the winter.
More company.
Very quiet company.
Cheerful,
pretty little shells of orange and red
silently moving along ceiling, walls and windows.
It distresses me when I find them
dead on the floor.
So, this year,
just now,
I learn they die of dehydration.
I have a large fountain in my house,
but now I’m putting out
a pan of water
in the bedroom
just for them
in hopes
that in spring
I can open the windows
and let out an even larger community.
