Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Creepy Crawly Critters

The other day I got a call from a friend of mine that reminded me of what it's like being a newbie living in the south.  You see, she had just gotten her very first tick.

Don't laugh, it's traumatic.....And maybe just a little funny.

You see, this is my super outdoorsy, eco-friendly, didn't shave her pits for a summer because she was working as a park ranger in Washington State, friend.  So the face that she called me absolutely freaking out was pretty entertaining.  

It makes me think back to when I moved to the South.  Granted I was much younger than she is, but I still remember my first camping trip with blinding clarity.  The conversation went something like this:

Them - "Hey, before you go to bed make sure that you check your sleeping bag."

Me - "Why?"

Them - "Ticks, Snakes, you know, things that could crawl in there."

Me - "I'm sleeping in the truck."

See, where I grew up we were taught important life lessons like, "Don't eat the yellow snow."  We were never taught to check our sleeping bags for things that could potentially kill us! In fact, all the things that can kill you in Alaska can eat you, so them hiding in your sleeping bag isn't really an option.  

Over the years I have come to term with the ticks.  We have a hate hate relationship, but I can deal with them.  Snakes on the other hand are a whole different story.  I scream, I shriek, I turn into a very sissy girl.

Can't help it.