And Now For Something Completely Different:

West Coast Black Sea Nettle

Thanks to Kelly, who sent me this link, I now know what got us at the beach a couple weeks ago:

In addition, parts of a jellyfish can sting even after they've become detached from the creature's bell-shaped top.

The sting causes skin irritation and redness that usually go away in less than an hour and can be painful. Some lifeguards treat the stings with a vinegar-and-water spray; others recommend washing the affected area with seawater.

Two species of stinging jellyfish are actually coming ashore, Lerma said. One is the purple-striped jelly (chrysaora colorata); the other is the seldomly seen sea nettle (chrysaora achlyos).

Sea nettles' bells can grow up to 3 feet in diameter, and their tentacles can dangle up to 20 feet.

Mystery surrounds the black sea nettle because it has appeared in local waters just five times since 1926. The last visit was in 2005.

Luckily the kids and I were only victims of the "parts". Unlike Mac, who Annie told me yesterday got one wrapped around her leg up in Carlsbad last weekend!