It’s All Picnics And Cartwheels Until The Fire Ants Bite

So, me ‘n Kelly romped in Zilker Park late one afternoon a couple weeks ago. (Zilker connects to our hike-n-bike trail I showed you recently.)

Shared our picnic with the birds.

Had a little snooze.

And celebrated the brand-spanking new bermuda turf which has transformed our previously dusty soccer practice fields into this dreamy expanse.

To walk from this spot to the nearest of those buildings would take about [15 to] 20 minutes, in case your fertile inquiring mind was wondering.

We were also celebrating that Kelly finally lost a tooth.

I was really surprised it took her until almost eight to lose one, especially since a few of her bottom permanent teeth have already grown in behind the baby ones.  Oh well, every kid’s different.  And getting the adult teeth later can actually make them stronger, I read.

And below, yours truly, by the snaggletooth photographer.

Then things got really interesting…

Searing pains shot along my arm resting so comfortably on the glorious new grass.

FIRE ANTS!!! I4 bites in all.

My arm 3 days after the attack, still quite swollen and very, very sore.  The pustule stage came a few days later, sorry I didn’t capture that for you.  🙂

Encroach on a fire ant nest and they’ll wait til a bunch of  ’em are on you before one of them gives the signal to chomp down simultaneously.  And chomp those freakers do.  Quite expertly.

I spent a very unpleasant night after I got bit, considered going to EMS but opted out once Benadryl relieved my breathing, swollen face and head-to-toe itching.  I’d had multiple bites in the past but this was my worst reaction ever.  My skin all went bright pink!!!  Hilarious.

Luckily Kelly suffered no bites at all that day.   And equally luckily she is not allergic to fire ant venom, as I am.

What I learned that afternoon — never ever let my guard down in Texas against fire ants.  Ever.  Even if I  don’t see an apparent “hill”  they could still be lurking.   Bastards.

My arm is good as new, tho!

And I’m going back to that field this morning.  See you there!

P.S.  I’ve been a little out of the blog reading loop with Kelly’s birthday and its on-going wonderment this past week.  So watch out!  Jannie’s gonna pop in to your place soon.

xo