Clubs and organizations

Here on the Gulf Coast, we have a Meetup.com group for our outdoor activities and skills.  We set up everything from excursions to gardens to camping trips, samplings of freeze dried foods to making gear.  Meetup makes it easy to set up the events, but we still run into a problem that plagues many organizations and clubs.

We get a lot of members who never show up, never participate, and never contribute.  We also get a lot of members who SAY they will be there, but…don’t ever show up.

On the surface, this doesn’t seem like a big deal, right?

The reality is that it does become a big deal.  When an event is set up, “experts” are engaged, someone has to plan the event, and then these people show up to the event with the supplies for it.  When the people that have said they are interested and will be there (Meetup.com offers RSVPs so that organizers know how many will be there) don’t show up, organizers have wasted their time and effort.  They already KNOW how to do this, know how to set it up, and know where the location is.

After a while, it becomes very disheartening.  After all, the time wasted assembling the necessary gear, loading it, transporting it, setting it up, and then waiting for people who never show up is gone, lost forever…for nothing.  We don’t get paid for it, no one even bothers to say “gee, I’m sorry, I had XXX happen.”  They just go merrily along, leaving us sitting somewhere waiting.

I’ve thought and thought about how to put a stop to it.  At first, it would be one person would show up after RSVPing.  Granted, reaching one person is much better than reaching no one, but sometimes, you need more people than that to make it a worthwhile event.  I thought that if we required 2-3 people to rsvp that they would be there before we went ahead with an event, we’d have more people show up or we could easily cancel the event.  Instead, we have more no-shows.

Now, I’m wondering if we charge $1 for every RSVP yes, if that would make people think about it before they showed up, or would that just mean that people didn’t RSVP at all?  Should we charge for events to compensate people for showing up to put the event on?  Should we start charging for membership to make people put more value on it?  How can we get their attention?

I’m still not sure.  I know that there are issues with perceived value.  Since we offer so many of our activities for no charge, they also don’t put any value on these activities.  Maybe people think that we are subsidized by the parks or something (we’re not!)

There are no easy answers, but I’m still seeking potential solutions to try.  I absolutely hate to turn it into a case where everyone pays all the time, but I am also heartily sick of seeing us waste our time setting up things that no one shows up to.

Hopefully, the solution comes to us soon.

Glamping-a budget honeymoon?

GM and I are getting married on October 29th, 2011.  We’re having a proper New Age meets the Hippies kind of wedding, complete with costumes and a Gathering on the beach.

We also have a rather anemic budget for the honeymoon.  Hawaii, Mexico, California, even Yellowstone National Park are so far out of our budget’s reach that it may as well be the moon.  That doesn’t mean we can’t have a romantic and special honeymoon though.

We’re going to go glamping!

Glamping is the world’s answer to tight budgets and a desire for a special, luxurious, and glamorous sort of feel without having to have the credit line to afford it.  Do it yourself glamping is the ultimate in budget-friendly glamor too.

Granted, we won’t have the exact experience one would have an an expensive glamping resort.  There won’t be massages, maids, butlers, or a chef along, but really…do we want staff hanging around on our honeymoon getaway?

At a resort, the “tent” is going to be a canvas covered structure that probably took days to set up, along with a whole crew of men.  There again, that’s not going to work for us–we don’t want to devote our entire stay to setting up the tent and taking it down.  We also don’t want the price tag to that natural canvas, nor the upkeep.  Our solution?

A large family style tent!  There, we’ll have space to be luxurious without spending excessive amounts of time setting up the tent.  Large tents can be set up as quickly as 10-45 minutes even by one person.  With two, it goes faster, especially when you are smart and actually set it up at home before leaving on your glamping honeymoon.  We also listed items for our frequent camping trips on our wedding registry with Amazon and Walmart, as these are items that would be far more appreciated than crystal doo-dads or china gizmos that we would never use.

With a bit of ingenuity, a carefully gauged budget, some creativity, and effort…we’ll have our luxurious camping honeymoon…at some state park for the inexpensive sum of $30 a day or less…including meals.  Besides the camping experience, we can indulge in cycling, take the boat out, go fishing, do nothing but lounge in bed, try some sightseeing, and share the romantic experience of preparing our own meals.  Granted, we can’t BOTH have breakfast in bed, but we can take turns treating the other one to the luxuriously lazy experience of trying to eat food balanced on a comforter without making a mess.

As for the weather, our wedding is the end of October, and temperatures should be cooling down.  If not…we can drive a bit further north to find the cooler temperatures.  After all, it’s nice to have a reason to snuggle, isn’t it?  And with the convenience of electricity at our campsite, if it’s too cool for our tastes…a compact electric heater can safely  warm our tent to make it comfortable and cozy.  Electric lamps at the bedside makes for comfortable evenings snuggled together to read a book or talk, and a portable fan can turn a warm afternoon into a comfortable time for a nap inside the tent too.

Compared to many “romantic getaways”, a do-it-yourself glamping honeymoon can turn the can’t into a can.  Granted, some of the gear may need to be purchased, but the purchases can be made over time, spreading out the expense.  When actually enjoying your glamping honeymoon, everything costs less, from your meals to the romantic bottle of wine to your daily “housing” expense.  Setting up does take longer than checking into a motel–for experienced tent campers, it will probably take about two hours to set everything up, and up to four hours for novices.  Make sure that you have set up your tent prior to departure (as far in advance as possible, just in case there is something broken/missing from your tent, or it fails to measure up in some other way).

Make sure you choose a campground with the amenities you need and want, and that you make reservations for a site with electricity, something not usually included in “tent” sites.  When making reservations for your glamping experience, the sites with electric and water are usually geared for RVs and travel trailers, and not all of them are potential tent sites–call the park if in doubt.  My personal experience  has indicated that usually, state parks are more friendly to tents with electric access than national park campgrounds.  Many parks will also have showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities, and some can include amenities such as golf, swimming pools, boat rental, etc. in addition to the traditional park offerings such as hiking, fishing, and nature trails.  Amenities and activities offered in the area can also make a campground attractive, even if they are not within the park itself.  Private campgrounds vary a great deal, and some are not friendly to any kind of tent, others are more so, and amenities can vary from virtually nothing to a complete spa-like experience.  Prices also vary, so consider the daily rate when making your reservations.  Most campgrounds use Reserve America, which is a very easy to use system, but do make sure about the dates before making your reservations.  It can be very expensive to be forced to cancel due to a change in plans or booking the wrong dates.

Stay tuned…I’m sure I’ll have a LOT more to say as we prepare for our getaway honeymoon!

Workshop to build a reflector oven

When I first started searching for a reflector oven, I wanted to purchase one.  Every company I found…it turned out they weren’t making them anymore, until I found a company that made non-folding beautiful ones that were way out of my price range.  Refusing to be defeated, I began searching for folding reflector oven plans.  That search didn’t go much better, and left me frustrated too.

Finally, I had a set of plans that appeared to be for an actual working folding reflector oven.  The next step was materials.  That was a bit disappointing.  It seems that metal sheeting isn’t exactly a hot item in home improvement supplies.  The best I can do locally is with a roll of wide aluminium flashing…with a hefty price tag to go with it.  Granted, it will make many ovens, but I don’t want many ovens.  I want one functioning reflector oven that I can cook a small turkey in.  That’s all.

In addition to this blog, we also maintain a website for Get Ready GO, at www.get-ready-go.com and we also have a physical Meet Up group (www.meetup.com) called Get Ready Go that is our “non-profit social organization” branch.   We have an amazing amount of interest in terms of “folding reflector oven” which indicates that I’m not the only one who wants one.  So, the logical thing to do is to have a workshop!

Get Ready GO will be hosting a workshop on Saturday, August 27th, at 10 a.m.  It’s a super inexpensive way to learn how to make your own reflector oven with some help (and tools!) to do the job.  It’s only $20 material fee per person, open to members and their guests only, and everyone must be an adult.  There will even be lunch!  MeetUp.com is free for membership, and anyone can join Get Ready Go too.

The meet up is being held in the Pascagoula, Mississippi area, convenient for anyone living anywhere between New Orleans, LA and Pensacola, FL or as far north as Hattiesburg, MS.  Reservations must be made (and paid for) before August 13th, and there will be no refunds for cancellations after August 13th, although a “make up” date will be offered to anyone who is unable to attend the day of the workshop.  A minimum of four attendees (besides the 3 hosts) is required, and if the minimum is not met, we’ll refund any fees paid.

Just to make it even more fun, if the fire ban in the area is lifted, we’ll bake lunch in a reflector oven just to show how well they work!  Besides, it would give me a great excuse to see if a turkey really will fit in one, wouldn’t it?

Previous entry about folding reflector oven is found here.

Campgrounds, tents, tent pads and rates

I have been doing some research about campgrounds, looking specifically at tent camping.  I’ve discovered something.  At KOA, for instance, tent sites are much less expensive than RV sites, but they are typically the same price as a “Kamping Kabin”.  (I’m not real sure what they are, but I gather its somewhat like a form of hostel, where we bring our own bedding, etc. but have a small structure with furniture in it.)  A “large” tent pad will measure 10×10, and a regular measures 8×8.

Now I want you to take a look at tents.  What kind of tent uses less than 8×8 for a foot print?

A backpacking tent for 2 is about it.  Why would I want to use a backpacking tent for a KOA stay?  It makes no sense.  Family camping with tent pads measuring no bigger than 10×10?  That’s a 4 man dome tent, and a smallish one at that.  What do the people who buy the larger family style tents, the ones that promise they can sleep 8-12 people, put their tents?  Obviously, not KOA or national park campgrounds!  Our First Up tent hangs over the edge of a 8×8 pad considerably, and isn’t going to fit easily on a 10×10 pad either.  It’s rated for 4-6 people, and believe me, you would be very crowded with 4 adults, although a couple and two young children (minus gear and dogs) could fit in it.  At about $30 per night average, I’d be really unhappy with being presented with such a tent pad.  If I want to be uncomfortable, I can do that much cheaper in a remote camp area where the fee is free.

I guess the critical thing for shopping for a tent, especially if it is to be used on a specific trip, such as visiting Yellowstone, Smoky Mountains, Black Hills, Yosemite, etc. would be to first research where you are going to be staying and if they have tent pads, as well as their size.  In some locations, these gravel pads are raised considerably above the grade, making “hanging over” the edge potentially disastrous for the tent.  This research will include calling the campground to find out about their camp sites with power to ascertain whether or not they are feasible for tent use.  Many camp sites suitable for RV use are NOT suitable for tents!  Don’t just make reservations via the internet and companies such as ReserveAmerica without double checking first or you may find yourself in a difficult situation.

For those who enjoy glamping instead of merely going camping, your tents will definitely require some inquiries into tent sites and access to power.  Also check to ensure that you will be allowed to set up both your tent and your screened in gazebo–it’s not always allowed.  This type of information is best obtained with an actual phone call to the camp ground prior to making any reservations.

Rates also vary immensely through out the country, and even a neighboring state may have dramatically different rates at their state campgrounds.  Alabama  is MUCH higher than Mississippi, for instance–we can’t afford to camp in Alabama, whether its on the coast or inland, so we avoid road trips that leave us with a need for a campground in Alabama, easy enough since we live in Mississippi near the Alabama border.  Always double check rates prior to making your plans and reservations.  It might be well worth your while to drive an extra hour or two and cut your costs in half, and it really adds up if its a multi-day stay at that destination.

If you are desiring certain amenities at your campground, don’t forget to check on their availability.  Commonly found amenities include hook ups, hot showers, flush toilets, water parks, pools, beaches, laundry, playgrounds, internet access, hiking, fishing, boating, and ranger-led activities.  All of these things add value to your stay, and realize that the more amenities available at a park, the more likely it is to have a higher price.  Decide what is important to you during your stay and what fees are reasonable to ensure they are available.  Double check with the campground to ensure that the desired amenity will actually be available during  your stay, and remember that some things are typically available only during the main season at that location, such as water parks and pools.

Don’t plan every minute of your trip.  Allow time for spontaneous choices and simple relaxing too.  A good campground will be a pleasure to just hang out for the entire day in, and often friendships can be struck up with other campers that may lead to great information and plenty of fun.

Good planning will make your next campground experience a positive and enjoyable one.  Just remember these basic steps.

1. Find campgrounds in the general desired area.
2. Make a list in order of desirability and amenities.
3. Compare prices.
4. Call campground to ensure that the spaces will accommodate YOUR set up.  (Don’t forget things like pets!)
5. Read the refund/cancellation policy carefully so that you understand it prior to making reservations.
6. Decide on your dates and confirm them with relevant sources, such as work.
7. Make your reservations.
8. Pack up and get gone, and enjoy the trip!

Summer is around the corner

Summer is just around the corner here on the Gulf Coast, and that means a lot of things.

It’s not just beaches, parties, barbecues, and beer either.

Its heat, humidity, and voracious insects intent on devouring us while we’re pouring sweat and trying to cool off.  It’s about finding a shady place with a breeze and taking it easy a lot too.  Even when camping, it is just too hot to be too excited about anything that doesn’t involve ice.

I guess its all part of that semi-tropical climate we enjoy, right?

To go along with it, nothing sounds better than a hammock.  If you’ve ever tried to sleep in a tent, intent on avoiding the bird sized mosquitos and gnats with teeth the size of vampiric tusks, looking at the sullen skies overhead…threatening to add to the joy with a bit of rain…you know that misery does NOT love company.  It’s just plain hot and miserable in that tent.  It’s stuffy too, and no tent has enough ventilation to make it comfortable without adding a fan and it’s steady whir as it beats the hot air into submission.

Can you tell that summer camping on the Gulf Coast isn’t exactly my favorite season?

When I do camp in warm weather, I prefer to avoid the tent.  That’s fine and dandy when you are in a location that isn’t inhabited by more carnivorous insects than blades of grass…but what about those places that do have mosquitoes and gnats in abundance?  What then?

Granted, you can cover yourself from head to toe in clothing or insect repellent.  (GM complains when I wear my summertime perfume: Repel Sportsman’s Blend.)   The clothes are hot, and your face and hands are still exposed for the blood thirsty creatures.  Their bites are more than mere discomfort though–many diseases are carried by blood sucking insects, and some things, I just don’t want to share with them.

I look at the idea of a hammock, swinging in the breeze, elevated above the ground to catch the slightest breeze, surrounded by a mosquito net, with a tarp covering for that passing storm above and open sides to let the air flow…and I want.  It’s screaming summertime comfort.

I’ve never slept on a hammock.  The idea of avoiding roots and rocks is appealing, however.  Five minutes to slap a piece of webbing around two trees and hang the hammock and ridge line for the tarp and mosquito net…and a couple of stakes to guy out the overhead tarp…oh yeah, baby!  Two hammocks, two tarps, two mosquito nets…and still under six pounds?

We just might have room left over for some ice.  Maybe I’ll try something novel when camping…pina colada anyone?

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Today, we did the “marsh walk” at the Gulf Islands National Seashore to learn about salt marshes and the things that live there.  It was an activity planned by the park, and about ten from our Meetup.com group actually came to the event.

It was nice, the park ranger was friendly, even if he was very young, and seemed a bit uncomfortable with the act of speaking to the group as a whole initially.  I guess its the whole public speaking routine–not everyone finds it fun.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs, Mississippi is really a treasure.  The visitor center was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, like a lot of other things.  The building has been repaired, and new displays are in place now, and they are very nice.  There is also a short video about the Gulf Islands, and that too is well worth  your time to watch.  I highly recommend the park visitor center as a “must see” when touring along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and for the budget strapped vacationer…here’s some more great news.  It’s free.

In addition to the visitor center, there is a fishing pier (don’t forget your fishing license, and make sure you have a salt water one!)  Fishing is also possible in Davis Bayou as well, and once again, don’t forget that salt water fishing license.  (The bayou is brackish, as well as below the point where salt water licenses are required.)

There’s also a boat launch, picnic area, soft ball field, and camping area.  Camping does require a fee, but otherwise everything at Gulf Islands National Seashore is no fee required, although they do accept donations at the visitor center.  There are numerous tables and pavilions scattered through the picnic area, as well as a few picnic tables and bbq grills near the visitor center.  They are all well maintained and clean, but despite this…be prepared for the bugs if  you are visiting in summer.  The flies arrive by the thousands as soon as the jungle drums announce you intend to eat food!  Biting insects of all kinds are common along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, and either clothing or a topical repellent is virtually a necessity or you will be eaten!  (There is a reason why Repel is my “perfume of choice” in summertime.)

If you are visiting in the winter, winters are mild on the Gulf Coast, but there can still be some rather cold and less-than-cozy nights.  Be prepared, if you are camping.  Bugs are much less prevalent, but if you are wanting to see birds and other wildlife, they are also less common in winter.  Even so, wintertime visits can be very pleasant in the park.

Epic FAIL

I confess.  On the big bike ride, which was entirely MY idea…I was the one who didn’t make the ride.

I can’t even blame it on my poor physical condition or smoking.  It was purely due to poor planning.

Red Dog, who can’t be left behind, was going to have to make the trip on foot, as our trailer was ordered at the last minute, and didn’t arrive before we left.  (It still hasn’t arrived.)  I was worried–she’s a long ways from a young dog, and not even in good physical condition these days due to where we live and my dereliction of duty in ensuring she gets adequate exercise.  At Bassfield, only about 5 miles into the trip, she couldn’t keep going at more than a very slow and sad walk, despite rest breaks and never taking her faster than a trot.  That same trot that once upon a time, she maintained all day long, often in virtually vertical conditions, was now beyond her ability to maintain any more.  We didn’t make it halfway or even until midday.

Originally, I was just going to stop at the parking lot, where a lone bench under a tree would have been where we waited.  Radioing ahead on our walkie talkies to the leader of the pack, so to speak, informed me there was a much nicer way station about a mile ahead.  Watching Red carefully, we started that direction as I rode at a creep after a much shorter break at the parking lot.  About the time the way station was in view, she was obviously suffering badly, and I dismounted and walked alongside her, telling GM to go on and we’d be there directly.

Red has done her best for me for nearly a decade, and now, it was obvious that I was going to have to do the best thing for her–stop.  We were already far behind schedule, the temperatures were still rising, and Red Dog was in physical distress.  We found a shady spot under the pavilion, she drank some water and sprawled on the cement, and we began our marathon wait for one of the riders to reach the destination stop and come back with the van for us.  I’d also become keeper of excess gear, as our youthful walker & riders had bailed after the first mile, and some of the gear was no longer needed without their presence.

Much lighter, the remaining riders continued on, and I sat with a comatose dog for what seemed like an eternity.  I hadn’t even brought a book to entertain myself with–I’d been expecting a long slow bike ride, not a long slow afternoon on a park bench!

It was disappointing to have to stop, I really wanted to continue the ride.  I was enjoying it, and the first five miles had been a breeze to ride.  (I gather the next twelve weren’t, but were tougher with a lot of uphill grade.)  I wanted the thrill of achieving my goal.  Instead, I was sitting alongside the victim of my poor planning.  If I had ordered that trailer sooner, stopping would have been due to my inability to continue due to physical issues, rather than due to poor planning.

I learned a lot on planning this jaunt.  Maybe that’s more important than that feeling of success from achieving my goal.  The important thing is to take the lessons I learned and use them in the future, preventing future failures from poor planning.

I better learn–I’m old enough that its more important to work & play smart than it is to go further and faster.

First bike n hike gear & chow

I thought it might be interesting to list some of the gear being used for our maiden voyage into the world of recreational biking.  It might also help see the evolution of gear over the coming months.

GM & I both have Next bicycles, starting out at least as mountain bikes.  These were purchased from Walmart, and cost about $88 each last year when we bought them.  I’ve noticed the prices have gone up considerably, but the quality hasn’t, by the way.  Mine is a powder blue one designated as a “woman’s” bike, but it does not have a step through design.  From the side, it looks like any men’s bike.  GM has a maroon one, and his is largely unmodified.

To start with, mine has a Bell gel seat.  I’m not impressed with the seat, but I haven’t replaced it yet.  It’s better than the original anyhow.  GM’s seat is the original.  He claims its better than the racing saddle he had on his previous road bike.  I have also replaced handlebars with Nirve Kandy bar in black.  Outside of that, the bike is pretty much as it was.

Then comes the accessories.  I have an easy on/off basket in black that I purchased a month or so ago from the bike shop in Gautier, MS.  That’s where I’ll carry my  wallet, goodies and the camera bag, as well as water for Red, spare leash, her dish, and the cell phone.  Our tool kit and pump will ride on GM’s bike, as usual.  I also have a bar mount for a video/still camera.  I hope to video my perspective on the trip.  I also have a rear view mirror, although I’m not certain I will need it mounted for this trip.  There is also a set of lights for one bike–we don’t have a set for two yet.

GM’s bike is simpler, he has a Schwinn rack that mounts on the seat post.  That’s what will carry a small cooler with cold drinks.  Our lunches will either ride in our backpacks (we’re riding with small packs or a waist pack) or in the basket on my bike.  Spare tubes will go in GM’s pack too.  We’ll be carrying the only spares probably–a pair of 26″ ones that fit our bikes.  Hopefully, they won’t be needed.

For food, we’ve gone eclectic.  Most of it, we won’t carry.  We’ll have some snacks–granola bars, fruit cups, dried fruit, corn nuts–and drinks, mostly water, although we may carry one or two of our alternative favorites such as a sports or energy drink…or my favorite-Hansen’s Blueberry Pomegranate something or another that comes in the smaller sized can.  We’ll start out with bottled water, as well as an aluminum water bottle and a canteen.

Clothing will also be pretty simple.  Comfortable shoes, socks, jeans, t-shirts, and a jacket or poncho, depending on the forecast.  I’ll also wear my old ball cap, although I’m not sure GM will wear a hat.  I guess my years on the desert makes me more inclined to the ball cap!  We will likely both have sunglasses as well.  We will carry Mississippi essentials too–bug repellent and hydrocortisone cream for when they brave the repellent!  At least one of us in the group will carry a standard first aid kit as well–the likelihood of a “booboo” is pretty high when one of the party is an active 2+ yr old.

I’ll check out the other gear from other riders as well.  I’m sure some new items will be among the chosen gear that goes along on this trip, so maybe we’ll even manage to review a few things!

Gautier bike shop!

Today, I discovered something practically miraculous.  I’m ecstatic!

Okay, well sort of, anyhow.  I found a bike shop, and its not only one I like, but it’s not that far to get there!

Gautier has a bike shop, complete with bike mechanics.   (Cycles Plus-and they have a website too.)  They have bikes, accessories, and great people inside the front door too.  It is small, and while they don’t have every accessory under the sun, they have a heck of a lot more (with more courteous and knowledgeable staff) than Wallyworld will ever provide.  In addition, they don’t stock their shelves with damaged goods.

They had a lot of bikes for a small bike shop, and they had some I’d never seen before too.  There was a very curious but incredibly ingenious bicycle from Sun Bicycles with a low step through, convenient for riders who cannot (or don’t want) to swing their leg over the saddle to get on.  The owner (at least I think he was the owner) said that he’d originally ordered one for a customer with a severe hip problem that prevented her from mounting a traditional bike.  She loved it, he thought it was great, so he’d bought a second one, which immediately sold too.  They then purchased another and he said he intended to keep at least one on hand.  I may not personally have that particular issue, but I can see where it would be a huge advantage for someone with that problem.  (It was a very attractive beach cruiser style bike.)

They had a recumbent trike on sale, just over $800, and GM thinks that’s what I need–no way to fall off!  I’m not sure about how low recumbents are and how I would feel about riding one.  Another recumbent was also on sale, just over $400 and quite attractive as well.  In addition to the two recumbents, they are expecting a hybrid style bike that melts the recumbent with the cruiser to make an attractive package to arrive in April, made by Day 6 Bicycles.  Coming in with a price tag just under $800, they are definitely not a cheap bike, but I have to admit…I’ll be dropping by to take a closer look when it arrives.  It just might end up on MY wish list!

They seem to carry a lot of Haro bikes, but they aren’t mountain and BMX bikes mostly–cruisers, comfort bikes, road bikes…real bikes for real people.  They even had a push bike for a toddler on display!  There was a lot to choose from, and many items can be ordered.  The staff are personable and helpful too.  That means that Cycles Plus is a great shop to call your bicycle home, with accessories and advice galore.

Maybe we’ll see more bike related paths, trails, lanes, and activities in the Pascagoula/Gautier area now!

Evil mosquitoes of Mississippi

I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Just like the rest of the country, we’re in the middle of November.  It’s supposed to be fall, cold weather just around the corner.

Instead, I’m nursing a huge crop of nasty insect bites.  I have been devoured.  My legs look like a war zone, and I lost.

I have a few bites on my back, neck, arms, and abdomen, but my legs and feet…they look like I have the skeeter pox.  I hate bites on my feet and ankles, but they are completely encircled with a series of bites.  The itching is intense.  It’s making me crazy as I try to NOT scratch them, which would only make things worse.

I’ve taken the allergy medication to reduce the itching, I’m not sure it’s helping this time.  I’ve used the same medication for about 30 years, although in the beginning it was a prescription only medication.  It’s always worked to reduce the itching and swelling–that’s what it was prescribed for years ago.  (I happen to be allergic to most insect bites, and this was the first medication that meant no more trips for the weekly shot.)  I’m using a topical remedy-hydrocortisone cream-that has always helped alleviate the itching.  It’s always offered at least some temporary relief.

Nothing is working.

Granted, I get it from so-intense-i’m-going-to-dig-holes-in-myself to just i’m about half crazy with itching, but that’s it.  I itch, and then I itch some more.  Part of me wants to take my pocket knife and dig out the bites for relief.

Why do I have these bites? Probably from my tendency to wear shorts or pedal pushers instead of jeans.  I’ve received a few while sleeping as well, which also resulted because I hate to wear socks to bed and often don’t bother with a blanket due to the warmth of the recent weather.

Why are these mosquitoes and gnats so incredibly voracious lately?

I’m going to blame it on the BP Oil Spill.  It has to be their fault somehow.  It’s never happened before that I looked like I had the measles, so that’s what it was.  Besides, everything else seems to be being blamed on them.  The dispersant caused the mosquitos and gnats to mutate into voracious eating machines with a taste for MY blood.

My defensive plan?

Avoid the outdoors unless completely covered.  Buy toxic sprays to use indoors to eliminate them. Where high DEET containing repellents continually.  Spray the dogs’ areas with sprays, just in case they are hitchhiking in on their coats.  What other options are there?

In the meantime, if anyone has any remedies for the itching, please…send them to me.  This is killing me!