Foggy, Muggy, and Buggy

It's been a foggy, muggy, buggy day today--with 97% humidity in the air! The temperature isn't toooo bad--in the upper 80s, but with the humidity it feels like a sauna. This morning when I left Vicksburg, it was just overcast, but when I reached Port Gibson, it was super foggy. It wasn't dangerous to drive or anything though--it actually made everything look really cool. It was like driving through a Civil War wonderland! But now the fog is gone, the sun is out, and everything is melting outside--except for the insects which keep stinging and biting me. I must have gotten something in my clothes because I have these big mosquito welts on my hip and thigh. I also seem to have gotten more fire ant stings. They are everywhere! I was reading about fire ants today, and they sound really gross and mean. One website described a their mode of attack: "The fire ant uses its mandibles to grasp its victim. It arches its body and drives an abdominal stinger into the skin to release venom. If not quickly removed, it then pivots around its mandibles and inflicts further stings in a circular pattern. I have some good Benadryl spray though, and if I go to bed early enough, I can take another Benadryl to help with the bites. It's been kind of a slow day here at Melrose today. I think it's just too hot for most people to venture out. I wish I could have gone to church today, but at least it's been a nice day here.

Today Matt and Angie are in Cooperstown, New York with 70,000 other people to see Cal Ripken Jr. be inducted into the baseball hall of fame. Tony Gwyn was also inducted today, so sports people are calling this the most anticipated hall of fame induction ever. I talked with Angie on the phone last night, and they were gearing up to face mass humanity today. Hopefully they're having a great time--which I would imagine they are because they love Cal Ripken Jr. They are true Orioles fans through and through. Well, I've got one more tour to give this afternoon, and then I'm going to make some cornbread and take it over to Nathan and Kate's for jambalaya night. Kate makes really delicious jambalaya, so we're going to eat that and finish season #2 of "Lost." Then, tomorrow Sarah, Joel, and Eliza are coming to town!!!! I am soooo excited to see them! Hopefully they'll be able to rest and relax here a bit before making the final leg of the journey to South Carolina.