The west side of the back acre needed more wildlife-friendly planting. This long swath begins in the nearfield with evergreens to grow up and eventually block the view of the wood chip pile from the house. It then winds all the way across the field to the right.
A strict “tick protocol” is followed here. A tied hoody is tucked into belted pants. Long, thick white socks are pulled up over pant legs. Hat, boots and eye protection complete the outfit (and often knee pads, too). Clean, absorbent liner gloves are followed by more protective and/or waterproof gloves. Clothing is white, made of athletic wear fabric that ticks and bugs slide off of rather than get caught in. The fabric is also wicking and cooler when it’s hot out.
Afterward, boots are removed outside. Gloves are removed without touching their outsides. Everything gets brushed off, then we make a beeline for the washing machine, where layers are carefully peeled off in reverse order, just in case there might be a tick somewhere. Clothes go right into the sanitary cycle of the wash. Showering immediately follows, with a fine-toothed comb run through the hair. Sometimes, there is a “tick check” made afterward by an independent observer (a.k.a. spouse).
