And Then The Rain Came…And The Baby Mosquitos
Most of Wisconsin is Coping with Flooding, The rest of Wisconsin is Coping with Mosquitos and Irritability.
Summer is coming to an end, and in Wisconsin, this usually means relief from horse flies and mosquitos. Not this year — we are in full fight mode.
As I stare out my window, longing to enjoy the cooler weather, I hear small taps and a distinct high pitch buzz of the state bird of Wisconsin. I ineffectively swat at the baby mosquitos on the other side of the screen from this summer’s round two of attacks.
It’s amazing how such a small irritation can alter one’s entire day. I wonder how it is that I have become so irritable. I literally feel enraged.
About half an hour ago I was happily sipping coffee and listening to Norah Jones — my go-to music for Fall, you know, when you feel Halloweeny or Christmasy but you would embarrass even yourself by listening to any seasonal classics.
Now, I am scowling at a bug like the Grinch on Christmas glares at a Who.
All I did was make the mistake of getting the mail. The walk down our semi-long driveway was initially peaceful.
I sniffed the air, clearing my sinuses as best I could (so more of a few good snorts I guess), and took in the smell of pre-autumn. Leaves, hot hay drying in the fields, and also manure.
Manure.
Then there produced a cloud of the freshest mosquito hatch of this year, and probably the biggest infestation I’ve experienced in my life.
At first, I casually swatted with white envelopes as I read the latest past due notice. I frowned as I felt my heart sink. How will I ever catch up? I pondered briefly as the anxiety crept up, worrying doesn’t help, release the thought. Ok, you are fine; but then…by the time I noticed that I had been ambushed it was too late. I think it must have been preemptive as if they knew the mail lady had come, and it wouldn’t be long before that poor soul up in the house on the hill would make her dreadful walk to collect her mailbox full of bills.
Debt.
I broke into a mad dash. Arms flailing, slapping, and contorting in all directions. Now our semi-long driveway seemed miles long. I was running now and decided to look to see if I was being followed. My neck snapped a sharp snap and I yelped in pain.
Damnit all! You can’t run and look behind you simultaneously when you are just a stagnant couch potato for 90% of your days!
Yup, I could literally see the cloud of baby mosquitos on my tail. My Border Collie joined me at her check point (the furthest she is allowed to go down the driveway) as I continued my awkward run toward the house. At least she was having fun.
Stiff Neck.
Back in the house, I reached for my neck pillow, ibuprofen, and dug up some calamine lotion. I turned off Norah Jones, chugged the rest of my cold coffee, and commenced pouting at the window.
Baby Mosquitos.
Only a few more weeks and I can complain about how fricken cold it is. Well, Wisconsin, at least we are in this together.
