Sunday, May 29, 2011

Poison Ivy and Thor...*

* Not two comic book figures...just one...


Friday with a 'to do' list as long as my arm to accomplish before my WOW this Friday (got 13 coming! A 'real' coven!) what did I allow myself to be talked into by Excy and Vance but an afternoon movie break. And we saw 'Thor,' no less -- which I had zero interest in. Excy sold me because it had Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Rene Russo in it. Vance said Kenneth Branagh directed it, and the 'hero' had the best-looking body he'd ever seen. So, the boys won out. If nothing else, I'd enjoy the eye candy. And WHAT eye candy! WOW. And you know what? It was actually a fun movie. Pleasant surprise.

Saturday was a day I've dreaded all week. A day spent in the yard, which was in serious need of help. It was beginning to resemble a long-abandoned lawn. Which I guess it was. I used to love to garden, but I can't physically keep it up any longer. Plus, the ticks and chiggers have gotten so bad it's like a horror movie. Living in the country has that going for it as a disadvantage. I told Excy I wish I had a haz-mat suit. I settled for two layers of clothes and a bathing cap under my sun hat, and rubber boots and gloves. Sprayed every 2 hrs. Feel like I got off easy with three ticks, only one that bit (of all places my ankle; I guess it was on some dead leaves that got into the boot), and a welt of poison ivy from when I fell against a tree weeding the triangle bed. Found another tiny seed tick (as small as the head of a straight pin) later. As long as I don't get chiggers, though, I guess I can cope. Chiggers itch for a week and leave marks.

When I was gone Thursday Excy finally got out a bird that had gotten trapped in our fireplace overnight. We have a fire stove in the LR. He said it took 1 1/2 hours. I asked what kind of bird it was and what color -- he said he didn't know and it was 'ash gray.' Haha.

Francis report: She has been coming up several times a day for dog food and vanilla wafers and tries to bury the wafers she doesn't eat, but the coons always sniff them out. Francis will politely lie in the yard and wait if we don't see her. She has at least three kits that we know of, because today they were out from under the tack room. They are as small as a 6-week kitten. I will try to get photos as soon as I can. I have another day planned in the yard tomorrow (I had to give myself a day off) and hopefully I'll spot them again.

6 comments:

Ms. A said...

You HAVE been busy, but then, when are you not. I admire your stamina. Can't believe with your health issues, you can use bug spray. I'm cringing just thinking about it. Can't wait to see photos of the babies. Get clickin'.

Jayne Martin said...

Wow. You are one hard-working country girl. Ticks and chiggers! Count me out. I can hardly wait to see photos of the little kits. What a joy to watch them come out into the world. I read your last post, too, and was glad you took some time for a weekend with friends. I would have been face down by 10:00 though. ;)

ReformingGeek said...

Dang. I love to garden but ticks and chiggers might make me think otherwise. MOSQUITOES! That's what bugs me the most. :)

Ash grey. Hee Hee.

Rue said...

Thanks for visiting my blog - I'm following you now!

I love to be outdoors, but ticks & chiggers? Eeek! We have ticks around here too, but I'm pretty good at avoiding them (I stay out of the long grasses) and I think our tiny biting black flies are probably like your chiggers. They leave little red welts. But they aren't really an issue low in the Valley - more so on the mountain. Best of luck with the yard!

Sally Wessely said...

That's quite an outfit that you had to put together to work in the yard. Bugs do have a way of driving us out of the place were would love to work and enjoy. We deal with mosquitoes in our part of the country. Ticks and chiggers have got to be worse.

Traci Marie Wolf said...

A great blog post for someone who wishes they had a yard. It's like baby sitting when you want babies. LOL The ticks and chiggers idea scares the crap out of me.

I've heard that Thor was really good but we haven't had a chance to see it.