Unwelcome Piercings

Today I was out mowing the lawn.  I was pushing the mower and getting the tall grasses under some trees, when I noticed some big branches had broken off one tree.I turned off the mower and went closer to get a better look at what had happened.  Tucker was a few steps behind me.I decided to lift up the branches.  I was hopeful that they would break off completely and I could drag them to my trash and keep mowing.Nope.Out of nowhere, I suddenly had BUZZING in my ear.  My EAR!!!  Not buzzing around my ear...IN it.Like any normal human, I freaked out!  I screamed and hollered as my arms swatted and flailed wildly about me.  Unfortunately, Tucker was caught in my craziness, and he went flying through the air, hitting the ground hard.He looked up at me, confused.“That really hurt my head, mom.”I could barely register what had happened, because my cartilage next to my right ear was throbbing with pain.  OUCH.We went inside for a moment to get our (well, my) composure.  Tucker and I both got a drink of water, and I went to look at my ear.I got pierced!  Clear as day, I had a bright pink dot where that stupid wasp had pierced my cartilage!!  Let me tell you, it hurts.Sadly, this was not my first Texas wasp encounter.  I got stung a different time mowing the lawn, and another when I was weeding.  I don’t understand these wasps!  In Idaho, their nests were visible, and we avoided them.Texas wasps hide...just waiting for their chance to destroy me.  I don’t get it.  Why so angry, wasp?  And why do these vengeful wasps, chiggers, and fire ants all congregate in my backyard?  Can’t we all just get along?No one can really prepare you to live in Texas.  But it would help if the state line came with a little caution tape.Caution!  You just entered Texas!  You better be tough...