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	Poison Sumac
	April 27th, 2018
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	We had a storm here a few weeks back that did a bunch of damage to
	the trees in my yard. One of these trees in the backyard split
	into three pieces straight down the middle!

	On Saturday I took my hatchet and a chain saw (literally saw-teeth
	on a chain that you drag back and forth by hand) and I set to work
	clearing things. In the process of chopping and sawing I failed to
	notice that the sad tri-split tree was also surrounded by an
	overgrown bush of poison sumac. (If you're not familiar with this
	particular breed of awfulness, it's just like poison ivy or poison
	oak, but harder to identify.)

	I was mostly prepared for the work, wearing long pants and sturdy
	gloves. I didn't have on a long sleeve shirt, though (it was
	hot!). So, now I'm super itchy and covered in a blistery rash.
	Calamine lotion helps a bit, but I'm ready for this ordeal to be
	over.

	I've gotten hit by sumac twice before, and thankfully this time is
	much less severe. My first exposure was on a canoeing trip where
	I failed to notice that the creek I was in was surrounded on both
	sides by sumac. I was covered in a rash from the waist up after
	that trip.

	The second time was the worst. I was in Boy Scouts on a camping
	trip and one of the new scouts tossed in a bunch of green branches
	into the fire. It started smoking and flew into my face before
	I noticed what was going on. I was just about to explain why we
	don't burn green wood when I saw what it was. Too late. I was
	hospitalized that time, as I got the sumac in my eyes and lungs.
	No good at all.

	I hope this clears up soon. I'm so damned itchy!