Poison Oak, Mosquitoes, Pop-Up Summer Showers

Welcome to the South. Poison Oak, what a lovely vine you are, just some tender shoots at first, then those five leaves appear.

Under porches, hidden in other vines, and always lurking so my pup finds it while doing her business and brings it in on her fur. Every summer, you attack me whether directly or indirectly. Your poisonous oil, urushiol, causes us to rush out and get some relief in the form of anti-itch creme, old timey calomine lotion, while the itching continues for a week or more.

Mosquitoes. Some folks are immune to these pesky summer visitors, but most of us aren’t. Sneaky devils they are. According to the experts, “O” blood type attracts them more than other types. Guess my blood type? These minute Draculas are said to breed in a teaspoon of water. Female mosquitoes live for a month or so, boy mosquitoes only last for 10 days. These guys are speed demons flying between 1 to 1.5 miles per hour. They have been around for millions of years and neither sleet or snow seems to destroy them.

Pop-up summer showers. Meteorologists, weather forecasters, named these summer time storms that seem to pop-up unexpectedly around 4 p.m. everyday. Also known as rush hour rain. Look for those big, beautiful, fluffy, white clouds, cumulus,that look so innocent.

Humidity, hot temperatures, look out, those white clouds turn dark and we get the sweeping rain storms. If you are a storm watcher or just want to know the weather and everything connected to weather, go to Weather Forecast & Reports – Long Range & Local. This website is comprehensive with live weather maps that you can center right on your neighborhood or see what is happening weather-wise anywhere in the world.

Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer, Y’all!