Oklahoma Chiggers

It's summertime, and that means quite a lot if you're an Okie, like me:

1. Lots of swimming and time at the lake
2. Lots of ticks and chiggers

Everyone knows about ticks, but chiggers don't get quite the same kind of coverage, because they don't carry the same kind of diseases that ticks do. But they are a huge problem back home, because they are one of the itchiest, most annoying things you can pick up, especially if you spend any time in the woods/weeds (golfers, hikers, and kids all apply). The summer between my 7th and 8th grade years, I spent three weeks at my Grandpa Mallow's house out at Lake Tenkiller. I spent most of those weeks riding my motor scooter, shooting at squirrels with my BB gun (that's quite a feat, actually hitting one, let alone bringing one down...a good .22 is the weapon of choice there), and generally messing around in the woods. Every night, I had to do a tick check, during which time I think I removed 4-5 ticks. I also liberally coated my ankles, knees, and other areas with Campho-Phenique (TM). Chiggers don't like that very much, and I tell you what, they sure do let you know. If you've ever done this to get rid of chiggers, you know what I'm talking about; you get the idea that maybe using a flamethrower would be less irritating and painful.

Anyway, happy summer to all, and especially to my Okie brothers and sisters back home. I'm only going to get less than two weeks back in the glorious Oklahoma summer, in early August, so get in lots of good lake time for those of us who can be there only in spirit. Thanks for reading along.