Years ago
I made a good friend laugh really hard.
Actually, I seem to make people laugh all the time. Apparently, absent mindedness and self-deprecation
are hilarious. However, there are certain
occasions I don’t plan to put on a show. It’s these moments I tend to remember.
On this specific day I was working at a
greenhouse when I suddenly got the urge to leave my constant post at the front
counter and actually GO OUTSIDE. I decided
I was in the green industry and it was time to see some green. Upon exiting the building I reasoned I should
be capable of watering trees. I
grabbed a hose and turned toward another employee to inquire where I may begin
my task. The moment I looked at my
friend he started to laugh hysterically and point at my face. Apparently, during the two minutes I’d been in, "the wild," I'd acquired a massive mosquito bite in the middle of my face. “Rayna, you’re just not made for outside
work,” he told me.
Many years later I still remember that
moment, mostly because my welt was epic and I was embarrassed by my body’s
lack of endurance for the, “elements.” At
the beginning of this summer I was again reminded of my friend’s words. I suddenly found myself temporarily working
for my boyfriend’s landscaping company. Needless to say everything I was required to
accomplish was OUTDOORS. I felt insecure
in my ability to achieve these tasks. However, I reasoned if someone who has lived
with me for almost ten years believes I can do it, then maybe it’s
possible. After about a month and a half
of the rugged life I was convinced, “No
problem, I got this guys. Do you want me
to mow the back field with the John Deere…paint a dump truck…repot about sixty
perennials…prune trees? I do it all.” Yep, I take pride in the new skills I’ve acquired
this summer.
Yes indeedy, and I did it all with only a
few minor setbacks. Okay, so I admit
there was that legendary first sunburn that probably flawed this china doll’s
skin forever. I’m also reminded of the
week where I had trouble standing fully upright do to the spasms I was
experiencing up and down my back after a morning of moving potted shrubs. Huh, I guess they call it, “backbreaking,”
work for a reason. Come to think of it I
also had that unfortunate afternoon where I discovered industrial blue paint
does not simply wash off one’s skin. I
reasoned my speckled appearance was rather painterly and besides I like to
think blue is a good color on me. Of
course, I did discover it does eventually flake off, especially when one’s skin
is molting in sheets. Then there was
that lovely day I was introduced to the concept of chiggers. Apparently chiggers are insects that reside
in wooded areas exactly like our back shelterbelt…were I was often
working. While chigger bites are rather
small, I must emphasize that THEY ARE MADDENING! During my lifetime I’ve never experienced
something so irritating and unrelenting.
I’m willing to admit this is probably due to the volume of bites I
received. At one point I think I had
five of them in my bellybutton alone. MY BELLYBUTTON!!!...which caused it to get
rather infected looking…which caused me to keep putting Bactine and Band-Aids
on it…which caused me to get a rash around it…and my God was I disgusting at
that point! Actually, I believe, “that
point,” was about the time I took the photographs above. Now, I’d like to specify I was still able to
hide most of my maladies that day because these images were taken before my cat
decided to sink his fangs into my left arm causing a wound which swelled to the size of a softball. To which I treated with…wait
for it…BACTINE, despite the advice of one doubtful and concerned pharmacist.
Now I ask my readers, “Who say’s this lady can’t work outside?” I guess if I were being truly realistic I
would admit the fact that’s it’s probably a positive thing I now have a job
working indoors…with children. I mean
kids, how detrimental could that be? Oh...and no, I’m not at all concerned about that recent lice outbreak.
-r.
T-Shirt: Threadless
Skirt: Vintage
(Handmade)
Jellies: Thrifted
Purse: Vintage
(Coach)
Belt: Anthropologie
Bracelet: Thrifted
Sunglasses: Kate
Spade
More great photos and enjoyable text!
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