Tick Season

What a year for Ticks!!! I’ve treated several people now for Tick related problems. Most of these include local infections or allergic reactions at the site of attachment. I have not seen a single “Deer Tick”, the vector for Lyme Disease, nor have I seen in case of Lyme Disease yet. In fact, there are no reports of patients with Lyme Disease in my Counties (Mackinac and Luce) in many years. I had the fortune to meet a forester today and I asked him why he thought Ticks were so prevalent this year. I’ve brushed off several, and while Erica was visiting here she discovered they really love her! He said they have a cycle of about every three years here and this is their time. I didn’t remember that from microbiology, but in fact did confirm that tonight. They do go thru a life cycle that can result in some heavy tick years. Fortunately, only a few ticks are lucky enough to find a host---which they need to complete their life cycle. Most are actually found in grassy areas, more so than in wooded ones. They lay in wait in the grass, for you or me to walk by. Anyway, they are relatively harmless around here. My Forester Friend put it best, “I’m more afraid of getting struck by lightning outdoors than I am about getting Lyme Disease!” Most importantly, my new friend is going to take me brook trout fishing to some of his favorite spots soon. He said that last year by his “rough” count, he caught over 800 brook trout. One day alone he caught and released over 80. I am developing quite a resource of fishing friends. I certainly hope that these wonderful streams will become part of my fishing repertoire soon! I will keep exploring. This weekend I am going to fish the Upper Millicoquins, but also want to start working in my Big Garage. I am going to take the kayak racks out of the east end, take out the shelves, and get my shop together. That way to tools will be ready for re-doing our master closet, closing in the front porch, and eventually finishing the new addition. Then I’ll insulate it and put a pellet stove out there. It will be cozy enough for my fishing buddies to hang out in there. Heck, you’ll even be able to crash out there. My very active life here is great for me, my pants are all getting too big as I thin down again! Wishing you the best, saying Ya from Da U.P. Ay!