Damn Chiggers

I’ve been outside on all these beautiful, sunny, hot days — down at the firepit, in the gardens, and just generally walking through the grass — and am now infested with chigger bites, itchy welps wherever my clothes touch, especially “down there” and around my waist (or where it’s supposed to be). Why me? Whining about such a small, tiny, wee, little bug that seems to love my pasty white skin is not a good look, but damn, it’s so aggravating. I cannot wear deet around all the time, though I’ve got gallons of lotions and sprays. Over the years, I’ve learned to Not Scratch (much), and was hoping they’d tire of me.

We were going to wait until the 4th of July to put up the pool, but it’s Hot, so we filled ‘er up yesterday…and found a leak. This is probably the last year for this pool and it’s given us a good run for our $, so Casey’s out buying whatever it is he needs to fix it. The chlorinated water helps dry out the chigger bites, so now I can dip off after I’ve been out in the weeds.

The Gardens are looking great. We haven’t had a decent rain in weeks and none predicted, but I’m babying them along with regular watering. Several of the tomatoes on the plants that were out during the monsoons have had blossom end rot, so I’m trying to stay consistent with my attention. Fingers crossed.