Who: Donna Bond, 40, of Reading, wife (believe it or not, her husband's name is Bond, James Bond), mother of teen-agers (Clifton, 16, and Rachel, 14), owner of a Jack Russell terrier named Millie Ladybug Bond (on her official American Kennel Club registration papers), and sign painter.

Donna Bond and part of her ladybug collection. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        On display: About 180 items shaped like or adorned with ladybugs, including: paperweights, Christmas ornaments, stuffed animals, pots, candles, toys, mugs, a lantern, dresses, socks and underpants. She also owns: key fobs, a perfume bottle, necklaces, earrings, pins, bracelets, a windsock, lawn ornaments and a toothbrush holder.

        Where: Throughout the family home that is also headquarters to Mr. and Mrs. Bond's business, Sully's Signs.

        Fly away home: “I've been collecting ladybugs for about 30 years,” Mrs. Bond explains. “The first one was alive and I kept it as a pet. It lived in a small, screened bug catcher sort of thing I called the Ladybug House.”

        Friends of the family: “I still let them live in my house,” she admits. “If they get in, they are welcome to stay. I don't disrupt them at all. It's not like they are hurting anything. Plus, they are good for the garden.”

        She admits that her family doesn't always agree with her philosophy. But she defies them to squish any of their red and black spotted houseguests.

        “The attic of our house has been swarmed with ladybugs this past season,” she recalls. “We just left them. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but it doesn't bother him, he thinks it is all in fun.”

        Ladybug lady: The majority of Mrs. Bond's collection comes from auctions and estate sales. Others are gifts from family and friends.

        “I guess you could say I'm easy to buy for,” she chuckles. “Anytime anyone sees something with a ladybug on it they automatically think of me.”

        Superstition: She scoffs at the old adage about ladybugs bringing good luck.

        “I think that's an old wives tale,” she says. “But it's always a good day when I find a new one for my collection.”

        Heavenly bugs: Mrs. Bond plans on continuing her hobby for the rest of her life — and beyond.

        “I absolutely always will collect ladybugs,” she pronounces. “And when I die, they will have to get me an extra-large box, because I plan on taking them with me.”

        Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Enquirer, Tempo, Prize Possessions, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; e-mail: marsolete@aol.com.
       

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas
Holiday TV: The stolen Grinch is back
Tune into the holidays
Exhibit shows how posters brightened advertising's dawn
Posters can be start of good collection
DEMALINE: Play-goers want audiences to wake up
May Festival's first CD a merry mix
DAUGHERTY: Everyday
Fans say Limbaugh won't be deaf role model
Lady bugs her family about growing collection
Weight-loss speaker keeps gaining insight
Zoo's holiday 'bark-er'
New restaurants firm up opening dates
Tap in to gift ideas for true beer-lovers
Get to it