June 4, 2012

• Cool Temps, Hot Neck

  When your air conditioning is broken, and you live in a part of the country where we often use words like “hot” and “humid,” you hope for unseasonably cool temperatures. By some miracle, that is exactly what we have had since the first night the downstairs A/C decided to konk out on us. It has been breezy and in the low 70s, making open windows and ceiling fans just what we need to keep things comfy inside. The temperatures are supposed to stay on the cool side for much of the week, so we are feeling good about that.

  Here’s what I am not feeling good about — my neck and upper chest are covered with welts and an angry rash. Ugh! On Saturday, I decided to pull some weeds in a prominent flower bed. The weeds were growing up into our rose bushes, so I donned my gardening gloves and decided to yank them out. A few minutes in, I noticed that the dirt and mulch beneath me was moving. It was covered with millions and millions of little ants. I stepped back and analyzed the creepiness of the situation. I decided I could handle it, since I had my gardening gloves on and was making quick work of the weeds. This turned out to be the wrong call. I should have walked away then. Or maybe it was already too late – who knows.

  I felt some stinging on my left wrist and looked down to see an ant firmly planted right where it hurt. I pushed it away and got back to work, but then I felt the same thing on the other wrist. I jumped up, slapped at my wrists and yelled, “Owwwww!” I’m sure the neighbors were entertained. After this happened a few times, I stepped back and went looking for some sort of ant spray in the garage, where the Mr. was doing his part to tame the mess that resides in there. I explained my situation, and he wisely advised me to stop weeding until he could get something to get rid of the ants. I obliged, and put some ice on my wrists while watching him organize the tools.

  Later that day, I noticed a few welts on my chest. I was wearing a piece of costume jewelry, and wondered if I was having a reaction to the cheap metal. I didn’t take it off until later that night, but I still only noticed a few small welts. I often get itchy on my neck/chest from the sun, so it didn’t really faze me. The next morning, I woke up with welts around the “necklace” line and a nasty rash across my chest. At first, I blamed the necklace. But now I think it must have been the ants. I think I must have brushed the ant-riddled weeds against my neck as I was yanking them out and one or more of the little buggers kept busy marching around my neckline in retaliation for my disturbance of their colony.

  It is so itchy and so ugly and so on fire! OUCH! I have a Benadryl spray that hurts like crazy when I put it on, but then provides itch relief for a brief time. Cold compresses help a little. I’ll stay out of the sun, so as not to aggravate it further.

  Is anyone else getting the feeling that I shouldn’t be gardening this year?

  • 3:50 pm
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