I was hoping to catch an orchid mantis today, so I played earlier than usual (in the afternoon). Of course, that meant Lyle was waiting for me outside my house again, but I just ignored him.
I went over by Static’s house, but all of his white flowers were gone! So I checked out the flowers at Nookington’s and bought the one pack of white flowers (white pansies). I looked around for more white flowers, and I found several outside of Baabara’s house. So I planted my new ones there, so I’d have more chances at the orchid mantis.
But in the meantime, I still did my usual things…like talking to villagers. Kiki mentioned her fish again, saying that they keep her company at home. She said even if she doesn’t have any friends, she can at least talk to her fishies.
When I spoke with Hopper outside, I noticed that he had a flea on him. I guess Hopper had a little hopper of his own. So I decided to be nice and catch it for him. And yet, he got upset with me! He wanted to keep itching. Wow, no good deed goes unpunished.
Static was all packed up and ready to move out of Forest. I didn’t want to be too Static clingy, so I’m letting him go. I’ll still have him in my GameCube and City Folk towns. I may miss his grumpiness, but I wouldn’t mind letting someone new move in.
Back outside, I was a bit surprised to see an emperor butterfly. In City Folk, they only came out at night.
I also fished in a pond and caught my first killifish, and then went to the museum to donate both new catches. Blathers told me that if I want to keep an emperor butterfly, I should remove the body. Wait, what??
Rhonda was still sick, so I gave her medicine once again.
With all of my tasks done, I focused on bug-hunting. Several times, I noticed banded dragonflies zooming around. I chased after them, but they were too quick for me.
At one point, I spotted a bug on a flower. I swung my net and caught a mantis. Not the orchid mantis, but a regular mantis. But that was just as good, since I didn’t have the regular mantis in my museum either.
I continued circling around town, mainly looking for an orchid mantis. I never found one. But I did spot another banded dragonfly that was flying west to east (as opposed to directly running from me). I was able to close the gap as I practically ran alongside it, and as it began to turn, I caught it! Yay!
I donated it to the museum, and then ended my afternoon session.
Later on tonight, I returned to the game. I went down to the Roost, where K.K. Slider performed Forest Life for me.
I also stopped by town hall and spoke with Tortimer. The final fireworks festival of the year was held tonight, so the mayor gave me another roman candle and sparkler.
Inside of town hall, I made a 50,000 bell mortgage payment and then ended my game for the night.
I went out to look for one, and fortunately, I caught it on my first try! I took it back to her, and she rewarded me with an ornate wall. Well at least her room is one step closer to looking like the 
Big Top was the next villager I spoke with, and he also asked me for a fish. But he wanted a horse mackerel. After a few tries (of catching just puffer fish and jellyfish), I temporarily put the search on hold until I made my rounds and spoke to everyone.
Rod was quite happy with that answer.
On the bulletin board, the new message of the week asked an interesting question. If clouds have silver linings, why don’t they sink? 
Rhonda was sick with a cold, so I gave her some medicine. She promptly 
A few minutes later, I finally caught the horse mackerel. After stopping at the museum (to donate the rainbow stag), I took the fish over to Big Top. He gave me 510 bells for my trouble.
I then made a 25,000 mortgage payment at town hall before ending my game for the night.
I caught a fish from the ocean, and I was a bit surprised to find that it was a jellyfish! Even though I knew from other Animal Crossing games that jellyfish show up in the second half of August, I had forgotten about them. Until I caught this little guy, of course.
If you need to catch a jellyfish in any of the first three Animal Crossing games, be sure to do it before the end of the month. (Jellyfish can’t be caught in New Leaf).
The third fireworks festival of the year was going on tonight, and Tortimer gave me a roman candle. Meanwhile, Hopper seemed a bit scared by the fireworks.
There was a new “Talking to Myself” post on the bulletin board, and it was about salsa, of all things.
Puddles was packed up and ready to move out of town. But despite talking to her many times, I was having trouble getting a response from her that sounded like she would stay. But I did get her to say this…
I wasn’t sure that would save her…until I looked at my previous pictures I’ve saved. Apparently she’s said the same thing twice before, so I think she’s probably safe now.
Over by town hall, Baabara showed me another strange letter she received. I want to meet whoever is trolling Baabara with these letters. 
I found today’s money rock, caught some