Mosquito For Christmas

We’ve had white Christmases and balmy holidays over the years, but 2021’s weather this weekend was strange enough to invite a mosquito to the big day. Of course, it bit me.

I am that guy—the one that is always the first to be bitten. It’s all part of Mother Nature’s big joke.

I have a strong need for the outdoors. Hiking a trail, sitting in the backyard, or stretched out on the ground, the fresh outdoor air recharges my battery. I don’t mind walking in the rain or dealing with ice and snow. Anything the natural world throws in my direction is more tolerable than being indoors in a windowless room.

This isn’t imagined. I’ve taken those personality tests that are ubiquitous in the corporate world. Among my various quirks—and I have plenty—is a strong need for fresh air and natural light. I don’t mean want—need. If I don’t get time outside—or at least if I can’t see the natural world—I get antsy and can’t concentrate. This trait explains at least some of my deep love for living in the North Carolina mountains.

The cosmic joke, however, is that as much as my mind and soul craves nature, my body rejects it. I fight allergies year round with clogged sinuses and watery eyes. That’s always been a challenge, but the last two years have exacerbated it. A sneezing, sniffling, coughing human being is suspect during our current zombie apocalypse.

But allergies aren’t my only problem. Mosquitoes love me. I do mean love. I am the first bitten, last bitten, and most bitten person of any group. This is not an exaggeration. I’m wearing the proof as we speak. I am sporting a Christmas Day mosquito bite.

We set a record high temperature here in Asheville for Christmas at 71ºF. I left coats and sweatshirts at home during our afternoon walk and exposed my arms by wearing a t-shirt. The fact that it was winter meant I also didn’t apply any sort of mosquito repellant. Why would I need such a thing in December?

So, of course, the one mosquito who had awaken this time of year found me. I got chomped.

Bad, I know, but I left out the ultimate last laugh. Among my allergies is a reaction to most insect bites including, of course, mosquitoes. They leave nice red welts and a powerful itch. As I write this, I have an ugly blotch on my arm and a urge to scratch to the bone.

Of course, the weather was beautiful and the walk was exquisite. What’s a little itch? We’ll call it even.

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Books Read: Daylight

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Interesting Link: Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others

As I note in today’s story, I am one of those people mosquitoes favor. They always seem to bite me first and more often than anyone else. My imagination or science? Studies do show some people are more susceptible as this video shows. I will warn you, though, that just watching this made me itch.

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Gratuitous Dog Picture

I, Roscoe P., might have raced through the house at 6 a.m. and jumped into the bed of visiting Super Nephew (who is, somehow, 13 years old) to wake him with enthusiastic pawing and licking. My humans had told me to be on my best behavior while we had overnight guests in the house and what better behavior could there be than to share my bubbly morning spirit? Nothing quite like an energetic wake-up call when lodging at Chez Herd.

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Happy New Year

Personally, I will continue my years-long tradition of being sound asleep at midnight on New Year’s Eve, content with waking up to the New Year rather than ringing it in. If you do choose to celebrate, be safe and have fun.

Wishing you and your family and loved-ones a Happy and Rewarding 2022!

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Background title image is courtesy Pragyan Bezbaruah