For the first time in months I retreated, twice, to the warmth of the hot tub, a tub which ironically is chilled about seven degrees colder than the record breaking 102 we were sweltered with a couple days ago.
This morning the outer world was almost 50 degrees chillier than that 102.
I opted out of my regularly scheduled Gateway Park bike ride and Town Talk treasure hunt today. I figured with the wind blowing the windchill would likely have the air feeling like it's in the 40s. And I've sort of not been enjoying the Town Talk Saturday traffic jam of late. I think I may be making Wednesdays my Town Talk day.
So, in the noon time frame I put on long pants for the first time in a long time, along with a long sleeved t-shirt and headed west to Oakland Lake Park to walk around Fosdick Lake.
Today was the first time I've seen the sign you see above about protecting oneself from the West Nile Virus. The sign had been added since I was at this location earlier in the week. Sort of ironic that I was wearing the recommended long pants and long sleeves for the first time in a long time.
I own no mosquito repellent.
I have no recollection of getting a mosquito bite during the entire time of my exile in Texas. I do not remember ever going a summer in Washington without getting mosquito bites.
At one point during my walk around Fosdick Lake I saw that which you see below.
Is that a West Nile Mosquito? A mini-Stealth Drone? Whatever it is it was BIG and not moving except for a slight shake. Was it grounded by the cold? Shot down by an anti-aircraft missile? Trying to re-establish contact with the Mother Ship?
All I know is whoever designed this thing I like their design aesthetic. And want a sweater that looks like this....
As much as you are outside, get some mosquito repellant. Some of them don't smell too bad these days and aren't too greasy. I even bought myself a new bottle of the stuff this year. WNV is no joke and never really goes away.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat ironically, your stealthy friend is a banded sphinx moth.
I recently found a fuzzy black caterpillar in the hallway of my current abode and removed him carefully to the outdoors. Then I found myself Googling to see what he was. I believe he was on his path to becoming a giant leopard moth. Take a look at those guys; that pattern would make a handsome sweater, too.