we exit
talk MIL and POP to where we are
take out our atlas
and begin
the Detour….

now remember
we WERE on our way to my happy place….
the beach.

but now
within a few short minutes
because of looming Tropical Storm Debby
we were headed
north
not south
 to the forest
not the seashore

the Talledega National Forest
to be more precise
and for those of you (including myself)
who may have been raised “in the woods”
and may have ever thought “I know woods”

I didn’t
not like these
but I do now.

we arrived at the campground
just as the boys were about to get w-a-c-k-y-

found a nice
clean
shady site
decided this is where we would stay the night
me
 still hopeful
and Tuck
still praying for Debby to head west

making the best of the rest of the day
the boys swim-suited up and were ready for water
any water
at this point
so with a quick set up of camp
we were on our way to the lake

sun shining
not cloud in the sky
we enjoyed an hour or so of sun
and small chit-chat
while the boys splashed
scavenged for minnows, fish
and frogs
and then headed back
to our very peaceful
campsite

when
I saw it.

on my precious

freckle faced
 Tuck’s leg

a slimy
yucky
black
icky
HACK ME OUT!!!!!!!!!!

LEECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

trying not to panic!!!
because he PANICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
when momma panics

I say
to Cowboy Dan
“what is that…ummm stuck to his leg?? is that a …..a….leech?”

Cowboy Dan:
“yep. it sure is.”

me:
“okay. okay. okay. well (in my soft monotone voice…suppressing the FRANTIC PANIC) ……………. …………we. need. to. get. it. OFF. of him.”

Cowboy Dan:
“yep”

and with that he reached down….

….(I turned my head at this point
 unable to stomach
the removal)

Tuck:
“am I okay???!!!”
 (bleeding like a stuck hog!!!!!!!!!)

me:
“yes, son. you will be fine” (still suppressing the FRANTIC PANIC)

and then.
as he lifted the him of his shorts
we
saw
ANOTHER ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is where I will insert
REPEAT
 ALL
OF THE ABOVE!

and
to be continued…………..

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