People have asked if I’m afraid of snakes. Arkansas is, after all, home to the copperhead, rattlesnake, and water moccasin. With a pond on one side of the land and a flood on the other, I’m sure the snakes out there are happy campers.
It’s been my experience, however, that snakes are more afraid of me than I am of them. I’m mindful of where I’m walking and where I go poking around. I don’t begrudge an angry snake—I don’t like anyone bursting in my house uninvited, so why should they?
Ticks are another matter. I am, indeed, afraid of ticks. Like snakes, they’re stealthy, but they’re out for blood whether or not they’ve been wronged.
Someone told me that ticks are bad this year. I don’t have a basis of comparison, but I know I’ve seen plenty. A bite I got on Wednesday is now about the size of a nickel and inflamed. Granted, it’s in a sensitive place that gets a lot of movement…
Just to be safe, I went to my doctor. He’s a tall, elderly man who reminds me of Clint Eastwood. He looks to me like he’s seen a few things. I trust his opinion.
He told me to keep an eye on it and let him know if it gets worse. Though it’s unlikely that I’ll contract a tick-borne illness, I have to wait 10-14 days before I experience symptoms of a more serious condition.
The woods are not without threat, but then again neither is suburbia.
paulette guerin 
If you have an inflamed bite, I would find a doctor to give you some Doxycycline fast. You may want to get a consult with a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor. Lyme moves quickly through the system, and you don’t always get symptoms right away. Most people never get the bullseye rash. I’m sorry you were bitten.
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Thank you for your concern! The bite healed pretty quickly once I chose the right clothing. I had been at an all-day training and my clothes had rubbed it the wrong way. I’m definitely being more cautious, though!
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