BY COURTNEY MURPHY

HERALD DEMOCRAT

Unpredictable, ever changing, chaotic, and inconvenient.Oh, how the rain affects North Texas.

My most recent encounter with the rain occurred the second weekend in May. I was at my friend's house off High Country Road in Sherman. For those unfamiliar with the area, it is partially country-esque, and many houses have longer driveways that are diffiicult to back out of for city folk. Thinking it a smart idea to pull into her yard, I tried a three-point turn and got stuck. As her dad graciously pulled my car out of the mud, I left my door open in order to help in any way I could. Little did I know I was subjecting myself to quite an attack

It wasn't until I heard the "bzzz" in my ear that I realized there was an infestation of mosquitoes swarming around me. Terrified of the centimeter-sized bugs, I turned up the music and rolled down my windows as I drove away, thinking they would magically disappear. I was wrong. Bite count: 15. Needless to say, anti-itch cream and a hot shower were needed the next day.

My second collision with mosquitoes this summer happened two weeks ago when I attended the Sherman Community Garden meeting with a friend. Though it was so wonderful to be outside near sundown, I realized it was also the absolute worst time to be unprotected from bugs. As I learned about garden pests eating away leaves and plants, I was being devoured.

The worst thing about mosquitoes, at least, for those who are highly allergic, is the instant redness and swelling of the bite. Then comes the itching in uncomfortable places. Very awkward.

I shouldn't be complaining though. My friend, who was outside for a total of one hour the other night, texted me the next day with his bite count at a shocking total of 35 potent dots.

All in all, I would really appreciate if mosquitoes would extinct themselves, but I will keep wishfully thinking as I enjoy this summer outside decked in OFF! repellent.

Happy birthday Wednesday to Kaleb Griggs and Cheryla Patrice Wofford, both of Denison; Barbara Bobbie Mullins, Ashley Murphy, Alice Faye Jones and Becky Allen, all of Sherman; Lacey Cox of Dallas; Julie Halleen of Pottsboro; Ethan Tillett of Tom Bean; Christopher Flowers of Gainesville; Mary Lee of Lantana, Texas; Thea Frederick of Denton.

Happy anniversary Wednesday to Robert and Reba Gattis of Howe, 59 years; Herman and Karen Murrell, 39 years; Steve and Sherry Allison of Howe, 29 years; Steve and Lori Johnson of Sherman, 21 years; Eric and Jamie Dockery of Anna, 3 years.