Lions and Tigers and Chiggers, Oh My!
Make yourself a tall glass of iced-tea and chill out with me. We’re going to talk about bugs . . . but don’t sweat it . . . that’s what the tea is for. :^)
This summer has brought record temperatures across the U.S. In my parents’ yard in Oklahoma last week, it was 119(F). Yes, it’s been almost unbearable. I am astounded that the heat has not killed off the bug population. Instead, they seem to be thriving. The grasshoppers have taken over my yard. Not only is everything brown, it is bare. I’m happy that something is prospering and oh-so-glad that I can keep something alive in my yard. If it’s bugs, well, so be it.
In Oklahoma we have little invisible bugs called chiggers. These little dears lurk in anything green, especially tall grass and weeds. If you even just brush by them, they will find you. They like to burrow into your skin around the tight spots . . . waistbands, leg openings . . . “snug as a bug in a rug” comes to mind here. The itch that they create is pure misery.
When I first moved to Oklahoma, I was horrified with the scope of bug potential. My first run-in with a tarantula came early on. (Story to follow at a later date.) ;^)
Chiggers . . . I remember finding out about them when we would come to visit my grandparent’s farm while I was growing up. Between the humidity and the bugs, I did not venture outside much. The family loved to make home-made ice-cream and visit out in the yard. Me, not so much.
(This is me around age 18, visiting Oklahoma ~~ waiting for the home-made ice-cream while my Uncle the Cowboy makes fun of me for not putting my feet on the ground. Chiggers, ya’ll!!!)
After moving here, I did find that there were remedies. My dad douses himself with vinegar after a jaunt in the garden. One of the area pharmacists whips up a secret-ingredient cure. For years I used rubbing alcohol and hydrocortisone. Lately, I’ve resorted to a natural remedy. A few drops of lavender in a carrier oil works like a charm (before an outing to prevent or after one to soothe.)
I discovered last week that Florida has a critter called “no see ‘ums.” It puts the chigger to shame. My daughter was covered in bites before we even knew there was such a bug. There were about 50 bites on each limb and countless others over the remainder of her torso. We’re not sure if they found her while on the beach or if they were in the house. But she was miserable and ended up going to a doctor. Kind of makes a vacation not so relaxing. You wouldn’t think that something so small could produce such wretchedness. It’s enough to make a tough cookie yell, “Mercy!”
I have a friend in Scotland who says that “midges” keep tourists off of the island he lives on in certain months of the year. That could possibly be a boon to the locals’ privacy. It sounds like midges are the ultimate tourist deterrent! I know that when I go to visit in some distant moon, I will schedule the trip in the midges’ “OFF” season.
I thought about posting pics of all of these creepy-crawlies for you, but they’re too ghastly for me. Just Google/Image it if you’re the brave sort. ;^- (In my opinion, enjoying photos of disgusting insects does not a Tough Cookie make . . . . )
What does this have to do with tough cookies? Well, I’ll tell you. Bugs adapt to every climate that I’ve lived in. Even in Nevada, where the temperatures would drop 40-50 degrees on a summer night, we had mosquitoes. In order to cope, I’ve had to adopt the “don’t sweat the small stuff” attitude. I do what I can to not be overrun by the little buggers, but have learned to adjust. If I want to sit outside on the porch, (in much cooler temps than we’re having now) I pour on the preventive. Grasshoppers, mosquitoes, chiggers, fire-ants, wasps . . . all try to chase me away from my peaceful perch. They may be tough, but I’ve determined: I’m tougher. Nothing is going to deter me from enjoying the out-of-doors if I want to. (Well, OK, maybe 119 degree temps,) but NOT bugs! I’m a TOUGH COOKIE! (I’ll just keep telling myself that . . . I have, after all, survived 30 Oklahoma summers now.) There’s got to be something tough about that.
A Tough Cookie does what a Tough Cookie has to do. (Now, where did I put that lavender oil?)
Miss Cynthia L. H.
After reading about that temp in your parent’s yard am pleased to say that it is a balmy 53.6 F in my part of Ireland and warm enough not to need a fire.
Our mountain midges are pretty devilish too especially for visitors, the local pharmacy does a roaring trade in insect repellants etc.
Very much like your style of writing as I nearly always end up smiling – Thank you.
Mel,
Thank you! That’s my intention . . . to encourage a few smiles ~~maybe through relating to what was said or even through an idea or new perspective. ;^) I’ve had 3 compliments about my writing style in the last few days. That means a lot to me, as it indicates that I really am perfecting my writing “voice.” Thank goodness! Three years of classes with only a year and a half to go! I would hope that it’s finally coming together…or maybe it’s just that I’m learning to trust what was already there, combined with the new information and putting it all together! ;^)
I’m jealous of the balmy weather in Ireland. How very tempting. I’ve wanted to make that trip for the longest time. Especially since I’ve found so much of my ancestry began there. ;^) It’s on my list of top to-do’s.
I’ll be sure to arrive when the midges are away!
Thank you very much for stopping in again. ;^)
Cynthia
Wretchedness is a fantastic word for these little buggers! Any, and all, of them! Anything that creates an itch of any magnatude is a bugger!
A couple of years ago, I was bitten by these little, teeny ants in my garden. Torture for a couple of weeks! I will tell you that all this time later, I can still see the scar AND it continues to ITCH every few months, all this time later! My word for them is nowhere near as nice as a little bugger!
Shabby Girl,
Bugs. So tiny, yet such potential to inflict havoc! Your ant bite sounds like a fire-ant to me. The bite literally burns. When I get one, I have to keep re-applying ointment over and over. Vicious.
I know they’re in the circle of life. But I could live without them. ;^-
Certainly brings a whole new meaning to ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’! At the momenmt it’s raining here so the midges are in hiding.
Scriptor Senex,
Yes, it does! I had one or two bites from the Florida “no see ‘ums” and I was very uncomfortable. . . strange how the itching/burning from a little bite can occupy the thoughts so fully! I felt so bad for my daughter ~~ she was covered in them ~~ that’s enough to lose your sanity, at least temporarily!
Thank goodness for rain! Whatever chases the midges into hiding has got to be good. ;^)
Thank you for stopping in again! I do appreciate it!
C