Okay, I'm selling my blood!

Spice Drops, torch-fired enamel, plaid dupioni silk

Spice Drops, detail

Spice Drops, link by Shannon LeVart

I was sitting outside taking photos of Spice Drops, when I watched a mosquito land on my arm.  I continued to work, paying it no mind, because I knew it wouldn't bite me.  I don't know when it happened, but for some time I have not had a bug or mosquito bite ... unlike the rest of my family.  They'll shriek when a mosquito lands on my face! As they lunge toward me to smack me in the face to kill it, I yell, "Stop!" because I know it won't bite me.   It wasn't always like this ... I remember having itchy mosquito bites ... my blood changed. I wish I knew how ... now THAT would be a book! :-)

But one of the things that's contributing to the surge of mosquitos in my yard is that the Purple Martins have left their home ... early this year.  It was the result of jet skiers speeding up and down our creek for two weekends in a row.  Finally, I marched down to the neighbors house and said, "Do you know there are wake laws and you could receive a $300 fine for what you're doing.  Just go about 50 feet in that direction and you'll be in the river!" (you jackasses! ... was said under my breath).  Well, after that we noticed that our Purple Martin friends were nowhere to be found.  Their condo is at the end of the pier.  Even they couldn't suffer through the noise! So sad ...