While this isn’t technically part of our vacation odyssey, our leaf mulching has been as long and difficult as any odyssey.

Here’s Laura, prepared to rake leaves. I wish I could say that this level of protection was needed because of an infestation of bees, spiders, or killer poisonous centipedes, but it was not. This outfit is the definition of complete overkill. Naturally, Laura wore it every time we worked on the back yard just in case the leaves got out of control. You never know.

Here is the type of bug that might have made Laura’s outfit reasonable. Might.