Poison Ivy Was Not Part of the Plan
As we have been dreaming and planning for 5 years, not once did I think about poison ivy. I should have, I had plenty of opportunity to think about the ramifications of my actions; but I did not! I did not think about how highly sensitive I am to Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac. I thought about chickens and cute little baby calves.
I did not think about clearing acres of forest to build a farm and that said forest is probably filled with poison ivy, oak, or sumac…. or more likely all three. I also incorrectly assumed that it died in the fall/ winter months… I can assure you that it is alive and well (at least in Tn). When I say highly sensitive, I mean really highly sensitive
So now my journey makes a slight turn, because I have to figure out a way to remain rash free while building a farm. My hope is that when we finish the bulk of the clearing for buildings and trails and such that it will be easy to stay away from. The more that I research the more and more that the hope I will be able to stay away from the gross oil excreting plant vanishes.
I don’t even have to touch the stuff directly… I could come in contact with it while petting my dog, or cow , or someone’s clothes, or my own clothes… and then if I touch my face, game over for my complexion.
I have tried a barrier cream, I am not sure if it worked or not. The last time we were out at the farm I still got a rash on my face and on my fingers / knuckles… although I am not sure if I got it at the farm. I was cleaning up the kitchen for the grandkids and I moved a slice of wood that may have had poison ivy vines on the bark. Maybe that is where it came from? I asked Steve to save me a medallion of wood so I could wood burn our logo into it after it dried… now I am thinking that wasn’t such a good idea.
Today, while we were out, I wore latex gloves under my work gloves, I did not touch my face, and I made sure all of my skin was covered. I hope that’s enough I guess I’ll find out in the morning.
Thankfully, it hasn’t been as bad as it was a few years ago when it looked like I may have had leprosy. Hopefully, it will not ever be that bad again. Fingers crossed and still farm dreaming, only a little more carefully.
“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you, let is destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.”