I have written many times about my gardening escapades and how I enjoy planting flowers and beautifying my patio. I still stand by those words, but I will admit, with the sweltering heat we are already experiencing on the first of June, I am beginning to think my choice of extra-curricular activity is a chore.

It pains me to even think that something I have enjoyed is becoming less liked, but it is.

And it’s not just the heat. As I explained in the opening letter of the May/June edition of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, the bull gnats are feasting on my face. So-much-so, I have been relegated to taking Benadryl for the excessive itching the bugs cause, which I hate because it makes me drowsy.

This week I thought I had found a way around my deflated feeling about gardening, but I didn’t. After doing a major project over the weekend, I decided to go small. So, on Thursday, I just re-potted an iron planter that hangs on the side of my house. It was nothing too physically challenging to do, but by the time I was done, I was soaked to the bone. And it wasn’t from the hose.

The humidity was insane. The bull gnats were swarming, too. I had to use the magic spray hubby bought to help keep them at bay. It definitely keeps the number of bites to a minimum, but it’s not 100 percent. They always seem to find a spot on my ear to nibble on.

If only it were hubby instead!

Sorry, I digress.

Actually, the only thing I think about when the bugs are biting, and the sun is scorching is a tall glass of water. And unfortunately, all I do is think about it.

In an effort to knock out as many projects as possible, I don’t always sit down and take a water break, until I am literally about to pass out.

I realize this is not a healthy choice, but if I stop, it is hard to get back going.

I imagine there are some of you who experience this same phenomenon.  For those of you who have no problem popping back up after rehydrating, please message me with your secret power. My skin will love you for it.

My poor epidermis, it takes a beating in the summer. While I typically cover up to prevent sunspots and skin cancer, long pants and long sleeves are not the coolest attire. And I don’t mean fashion wise.

With the worst of the heat yet to come, I know I will keep working in the yard — I have to, I’ve spent too much on flowers to do otherwise. So as with any good soldier, I will continue the fight. So, those bull gnats better watch out. I may just light up my whole backyard with citronella torches and send them straight to … wherever bull gnats go when they die.