Bright Idea Outdoors Weblog

Hard Work In the Outdoors

All I can say is that I'm busy busy busy at work.  That's a good thing, especially considering that I went into the spring wondering if this might be the year I had to give up my "career" in the landscape industry.  But instead of business being slow, we're busier than we've been in about five years. 

I'm not sure why that is.  The economy is stronger here in Northern Virginia than in many other parts of the country, but it's still weak compared to what it used to be.  Must just be good luck and good marketing.

A lot has happened recently that I'd like to write about, but it will all have to wait; maybe I'll squeeze in some writing time this Sunday after church.  By the way, I was baptised this past Sunday; more on that too when I get some time!

Lyme Disease Update: It Seems Like Everyone in Loudoun County Has Had it.

God made a lot of creatures.  He made us; He made our pets; He made the beavers and groundhogs that plague Camp Cowboy.  God made the whitetail deer (thanks again God!) but He also made the tiny black-legged ticks that deer carry around.  He put a lot of deer here in Loudoun County, Virginia, and  He also put a lot of people. 

As a result, more and more people are coming down with the serious deer tick-born illness Lyme disease.

The church I go to meets in a school across the road from my house.  However, the church also owns an 18-acre property about a mile down the road where a new church building will someday be constructed.  In the meantime, the property can be used for a lot of other things.  The pastor suggested last night that we organize a family campout there.  He cautioned, though, against venturing into the hay fields on the back portion of the lot.

"It seems like everyone who goes back there gets Lyme disease," he said.

He went on to say that he's had Lyme disease and that at least two church members have come down with it after spending time in the hay field.  I mentioned that I too have had Lyme disease; twice.

Lyme disease really is becoming an epidemic here, and no one who spends time outside is safe.  An area such as a hayfield is prime deer tick habitat, but you can pick up them up anywhere there is grass, trees or bushes, including your own back yard.

I'm telling you this story because I can't emphasize enough how important it is to take precautions against getting deer ticks; check for them after you, your kids or your pets have been outside and to seek treatment if you experience any Lyme disease symptoms. 

Deer ticks are so small that you may carry one around for several days, have it drop off and never even know you had it.  The symptoms of Lyme disease can be so subtle--and it is so hard to diagnose--that it could be years before you know you have that.

Please be careful.

Blog Notes

It's been a week since my last post, but it feels like a year.  The last several days have been a blur of activity that included a trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a turkey hunt, a memorial service for a fallen hunter complete with 21-shotgun salute, and sunrise service on Easter where I was responsible for getting a campfire going.  What these last few days have included more than anything else is work, work, work!

That's a good thing; it means we get to eat and stay in our house for at least another week.  But it also means I just don't have time to blog, and I really don't have time to read other people's blogs.  I keep saying I'm going to get caught up on the weekends, but the weekends end up being just as busy as the rest of the week.

At some point things will get back to normal, and I'll be able to return to a normal writing and blog-reading schedule.  Until then, bear with me.

Lyme Disease Update: Loudoun County Accounts for 1/2 of Virginia Cases

This message is aimed in particular at those of you who will be Turkey hunting, fishing from the bank of a pond or just enjoying the outdoors this weekend in my home county of Loudoun, Virginia.

WTOP news radio reported this morning that Lyme disease cases have increased dramatically in recent years in many Washington D.C. region jurisdictions.  Half of all reported Virginia Lyme cases were here in Loudoun.

So even if it doesn't feel like April yet, keep in mind that the tiny Lyme disease-carrying deer tick knows that spring has sprung.  Deer ticks and Lyme disease are a threat even on chilly days, but they don't have to keep you inside.  Tuck your pants into your boots, douse yourself in Deet, check carefully for ticks (I'm not exxagerating when I say these ticks are tiny) and have fun in the outdoors this weekend!

A New Blog and a Good Book

Bright Idea Outdoors special correspondent Tom Elliston finally got his own blog!  Check out the Trellis Outdoors Blog now and leave a comment encouraging him to keep it up.

Tom is accomplished outdoorsman, who, despite being about 16 years my junior, has taught me a lot about hunting.  I know he has a lot of great stories to tell.

Meanwhile, speaking of great stories, I recently received and am about halfway through Hershel Howell's book Lim.  I'll do a review of this humorous adventure story when I finish the book, but so far I'm really enjoying it.  Order your copy now!

 

Turkey Hunting Article Online

I'm guessing most of you (at least those who are not working moms) have not stopped by bizymoms.com lately.  So, in case you haven't, I thought I'd mention that the second half of my turkey hunting article is online.

Again, many thanks to Othmar Vohringer, Jeff Hunt, Hershel and Rex Howell and my cousin Tom (when's this guy gonna' start a blog?) for helping me with the article.  Good luck with the gobblers guys!