P.I. and Me

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  (2 Corinthians 4:17)

In an attempt to rise to Janie Fox's listing-making stature, I have composed my personal list of observations about Poison Ivy.  After three consecutive episodes over the past few months, I consider myself rather qualified to state the following with confidence!  Note:  This is NOT meant to elicit pity.


1.  There have been an unusually large number of poison ivy cases this past summer (this out of the mouth of our local doctor when I consulted him with my FIRST and serious case of P.I.)!
2.  The shot I received when I consulted said doctor didn't seem very effective in my opinion.
3.  The bill I received after my said consultation and shot seemed unusually large.
4.  After the second (and less serious) outbreak of P.I. I learned that there are many, MANY forms of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.  It would be impossible for me to learn them all by sight.
5.  "Leaves of three, let them be."
6.  One should carefully examine all vines and other plant life and count the leaves before touching.
7.  The third case is NOT a charm.
8.  Oatmeal and Epsom salt baths feel good as long as you are submerged.
9.  You can only take so many baths in a 24 hours period.
10. Caladryl with an "April 1991" expiration date contains benedryl and works just as good (if not better) as Caladryl now on the market that no longer contains benedryl.
11. Friends have many, MANY suggestions regarding how to treat poison ivy.
12. Friends and husbands lose interest and have little sympathy when you refuse to go to the doctor.
13. 20+ bee stings are NEVER a good accompaniment to P.I. (It's difficult to count bee stings on your back side.   You just have to estimate.)
14. A worn and ragged terry-cloth bathrobe feels better than tight-fitting underwear on an itchy body.
15. It's not OVER until it's OVER.

 I could say more.  But I need to go soak awhile.
If I've learned ANYTHING from this, it is:
Pay attention to #5!