ticked today 92/366

I couldn't believe what I was seeing 
I had to look at the old dog more than once as I stepped out the back door
I was finally ready to begin my walk
and had to stop before I even got started
there was something substantially out of place on Sam's face, near his eye
I couldn't imagine what he had been into
when I leaned over and recognized what it was
everything in my recoiled and I wanted to ignore it
but I couldn't
this afternoon a tick had found him, 
attached itself to the lower rim of his eye and gorged itself
I did what I didn't want to do
I grasped it tight, pulled it off
and did what I was pleased to do
I smashed it with a brick
then I came in and washed my hands well 
went back out and started my walk

I was about halfway through my planned route and I felt sprinkles
rats, drats, discouragement
I didn't have an umbrella in hand
the sun had come out for the first time all day right before I left the house,
it was what motivated me to get out
I had no idea rain was a possibility
and because this was the first "real" walk I'd been able to embark on for a week
I was not happy 
I was frustrated, 
and as I was mentally stomping and throwing a mini tantrum,
God sent two hugs, or a hug and a kiss,I haven't decided yet-
two different friends who saw me walking also saw the rain
both stopped and offered me a ride
I really needed a few more minutes so I declined, 
but my heart was happy because of their love and concern,
I beat the rain and arrived home mostly dry 

I needed a shower 
to relax
to get clean
to unwind
and as I finished I had a flashback to what wearing capris the other day had revealed:
the length of my leg hair was almost to the point of being able to braid it
disgusting
the forecast is for warmer and sunnier days ahead
so I did something else I didn't really want to do today
I shaved my legs
as I brought the razor up the back of my right leg I thought 
"Hmmmm. I don't remember there being a birthmark behind my knee"
my earlier trauma must have been lurking in the back of my mind
because immediately I realized
that was not a birthmark
it was a tick
ugh
it's taken care of now,
but I am ready to be permanently done with being "ticked"