Beautiful Day

Today was gorgeous.

We played outside, a lot. Rex and I picked the perfect spot for our new summer activity, an herb garden to compliment the huge veggie one already in the yard. We smelled the daffodils, picked the first dandelion, shook out the last of the seeds from the yucca plants (Rex loves to do this because of the sounds they make rattling all over the place). Nate got out his clubs and started to hit golf balls into the swamp, startling our new friends Mr. & Mrs. Mallard out of their afternoon swim. Lucy wore an adorable little blue dress, without tights or socks. Her first encounter with fresh grass was welcomed with a smile and continuous babbles.

Spring has been a long time coming. We're determined to savor it now that it is here.

Just before 6 I wrapped up my dinner post. I was getting up from the computer when I felt an odd sensation on my upper arm. Like a strand of hair grazing my skin ever so gently. I looked over my shoulder, and there it was. Darn near the only thing that could possibly ruin my perfect day.

A little black bug. It's teardrop shape identifiable to every outdoorsy person in the midwest. A tick.

I killed it. Ran my hands over every inch of my body in record time. Searched Lucy. Then Rex. Forced Nate to check out himself. Ran my hands over Otis. Did it again, a little more thoroughly. (The idiot couldn't have been happier to have me freak out in this manner.) I took a shower, convinced I could still feel it crawling all over me.

I don't want to go outside tomorrow. I know there are more of them lurking near the swamp. They are probably talking about ways to thwart my next outdoor adventure right now. Planning, conniving, little blood suckers.

Turbo thinks I'm nuts. He went to the basement and turned on the Cubs. Whatev. Not like they ever craw on him. If they did he'd see. Then he'd understand.