The Hump Day Thread!!!

[SnowHot]

Everyone knows what Hump Day is, Right?
Wednesday is the day when you've made it to the hump in the week where its all down hill until the weekend.

I like Hump Day because.................
Hump Day has always been the day of the week where you start planning on your weekend plans and can start to see fun on the horizon.

Another reason I look forward to Hump Day is because its Ride Night!!!!
Terry goes dirtbiking, and I go Mt biking, but no matter our two wheel choice.............................

Tonight We Ride!!!

C'mon, share your hump day thoughts, and what you have to look forward to as you break the crest of the hill on the way to the weekend!

 

[vanhoskier]

It's halfway through the school week. And after this week, just one more week of classes to go before summer break. I can leave school today at a decent hour and either go running, or hop on my road bike.

No big plans for the weekend...we're kind of immersed in finishing our patio, but I look forward to doing manual labor outside, rather than being stuck inside. But we'll get to sleep in a bit. And my DH makes me breakfast on the weekends.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

...but I look forward to doing manual labor outside, rather than being stuck inside.

Oh, you lucky people who can be outside.....I, alas, live in Black Fly Country, and this is "their" season. I found out the hard way 7 years ago when I moved here that I am highly allergic to their bites, with both skin and systemic reactions (flu-like symptoms the next day). And since they are profuse bugs until mid-July, here is a list of my outdoor wear, regardless of temperature, until that time:
1. Long pants, the heavier the better.
2. Long sleeve shirt/sweatshirt, snug cuffs and neck.
3. Socks to the knee, no gaps between pants/socks (even if that means elastic at pant legs).
4. NO JEWELRY. Those buggers love to bite at rings, watches, earrings, esp where glasses hit your ear.
5. Hat with net. Be careful of the elastic at bottom of net. Make sure it is tucked in under shirt neck. Worst bites happen at nape of neck (I have the scars to show for that).
6. Spray all outerwear in Deep Woods Off. Not near any car - the stuff crazes paint and finishes. ()
7. Ben's 100% DEET on any remaining exposed skin (hands, fingers)
8. Gingerly venture outside.
9. Once inside, WASH.
10. Repeat as necessary.

Not everyone reacts. But the bugs are so darn persistent, and they love ears, nostrils (nothing like 10 inside your nose), the corners of your eyes. It's so bad that this time of year drives the moose out of the woods and onto the roads for relief.
(not a good time to be driving at dawn or dusk)

Gardening/planting/outside projects (at least until mid-July) are part of my past, as long as I live here in the Maine woods.

I wish it was winter...........<sigh>
Rant over.
Carry on.

 

[SnowHot]

I wish it was winter...........<sigh>
Rant over.
Carry on.

When is the Hump Day for the between seasons?
I wish it were winter too!

 

[Jilly]

Yup, after lunch on Wednesday the week starts to look better. Been finding the last few weeks, we're busier on Tuesday and Wednesday than Monday. This weekend, no big plans as the weather doesn't look like its going to co-operate for outdoor activities, unless you want to get wet!! But I can't believe how my weekends are starting to book up with things!

 

[Kiragirl]

Definitly agree that hump day can jump start you to the next weekend. Unfortunately here, though, it's also garbage day and they wake me up early.

 

[ScottishGirlie]

MaineSkiLady, that sounds awful with the flies. Never heard of them before. We have the dreaded Scottish midges further up north, but compared to what you've got, midges sound quite pleasant.

Our hump day here is horrible and wet, very heavy rain today.

Thursday and Friday are my busiest days of the week so it fells like the calm before the storm.

 

[Jilly]

The British isles know nothing like our bugs!! They can drive you nuts and inside. We put up a screened in gazebo 4 years ago because of them. When you live near water they can be worse. Our season here in Ontario isn't quite as long as MSL's but close by a couple of weeks. I don't find that bug spray - repellent works all that well. Only clothes and the screened hat/hood make a difference. You look like a bee keeper going to the hives and all your doing is going for a walk.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

The British isles know nothing like our bugs!! They can drive you nuts and inside. We put up a screened in gazebo 4 years ago because of them. When you live near water they can be worse. Our season here in Ontario isn't quite as long as MSL's but close by a couple of weeks. I don't find that bug spray - repellent works all that well. Only clothes and the screened hat/hood make a difference. You look like a bee keeper going to the hives and all your doing is going for a walk.

Indeed. Can't even go uncovered to my mailbox down the driveway unless I'm doing a mad sprint. Oddly, the coast here has far fewer issues, at least right at the water. But go just a mile inland....

I've had to go to the doctor, semi-emergency, twice from this, and got rx'd prednisone for 5 days. Huge, festering sores.

Bah humbug on spring in northern New England :(

 

[Jilly]

MSL I was thinking large lakes, not the ocean. The ocean breezes should keep them away. Bugs are bad down by the Bay!

 

[persee]

Lucky if you can use DEET. I'm highly allergic to it. Luckily for at least Mosquitos the fact that I like to eat a lot of garlic and onions seems to keep them from finding me so tasty! We luckily don't really get the black flies in MA, but sometimes the skeeters can be just awful.

 

[ScottishGirlie]

Girls, I really feel for you. These flies sound totally horrible. Yuck!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

They have a very specific list of environmental requirements in order to breed: breeding and hatching IN water, said water must be fast-moving, clean and cold.

I live in the watershed/melt direction of 3 different semi-minor mountain ranges in this region: Spruce, Longfellow and Bigelows (more major). All the snow melt feeds into local streams (cold, clean) that eventually get to major rivers, the finally the Atlantic. We usually know that when the snow pack is deep, the more melting, thus the more flies.

Happily, this season lasts only until around the first week of July. Most people are only annoyed by them (dozens can swarm your face at once), or if bit, do not react. Others of us are not so lucky...:(

 

[SnowHot]

Its Hump Day!!!!!
Anyone got plans for the weekend?
I'm planning on working at the concession stand at the race track!
Good things in store, and a great bike season up there.

 

[Jilly]

It's been a busy week, funeral, work, etc. So I'm just going to dragon boat practice on Saturday morning and DH wants to get the boat in the water. So a relaxing weekend I hope. Next week doesn't look any better.

 

[Kiragirl]

I have to take my car into the shop AGAIN Sat morning for a new strut and tie rod end. At least I trust the guy, phew. After that's done, biking for a while, watch the Yankees and relax.

 

[ski diva]

I'm going to a bridal shower for my daughter on Saturday!!!!!

 

[Kiragirl]

are you giving her any ski-related gifts? How about little husband and wife skiers as a cake-topper? That would be so cute.

 

[ski diva]

I would, but neither of them ski!!!! Can you believe that???

Where did I go wrong?????

 

[Kiragirl]

the other thing I almost forgot about is, the Belmont Stakes is Saturday evening, when Big Brown runs for the Triple Crown. (I seriously hope his foot is ok, I'm a little worried.)