"Bruce" wrote in message ...

On Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:19:41 -0500, "cshenk" > wrote:

>Bruce wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>
>> On Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:42:10 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Janet" > wrote in message
>> > .. .
>> >> In article >,
>> >> says...
>> > > >
>> >>> On Mon 26 Jun 2017 04:06:43p, Julie Bove told us...
>> > > >
>> >>> > Anyone familiar with them? They'll be putting a store in Mill
>> >>> > Creek where a Safeway used to be. The pic shown in the ad looks
>> >>> > like they have a huge produce section.
>> >>> >
>> >>> >
>> > > >
>> >>> There are a lot of Sprouts in the Phoenix area and do have huge
>> produce >>> sections, as well as having some unusual produce items
>> that are usually >>> found in most supermarkets.
>> > >
>> >> What a great country, where unusual produce items are usually
>> found in >> most supermarkets.
>> > >
>> >> Janet UK
>> >
>> > For crying in the beer! He obviously left out the word "not".
>> > Sheesh.
>>
>> Here's an unusual item usually found in Australian supermarkets:
>>
>> <https://www.woolworths.com.au/Shop/P...7/apple-toffee
>> >
>>
>> It's so unusual , I had to Google to find out what it's called.
>
>Naw, we have those here.

Ophelia knew them too. Maybe it's an Anglo thing.

==

I don't know, but they are very common here and as I said, we had them a lot
when I was a child. Always for 'bonfire night' ie Guy Fawkes night,
November 5th.

http://www.bonfirenight.net/gunpowder.php

We always made big bonfires and we young 'uns used to eat toffee apples)



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Julie Bove" wrote in message news

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...

> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
> that
> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>
> What are they like inside?

Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.

===

Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"jmcquown" wrote in message news
On 6/28/2017 2:12 PM, Ophelia wrote:
> "jmcquown" wrote in message news > On 6/28/2017 1:33 PM, Ophelia wrote:
>> "jmcquown" wrote in message news >>
>>> The people we were discussing was though who said nothing about Sprouts,
>>> they just made nasty and derogatory remarks.
>>>
>> I was agreeing with you. Sheesh.
>>
>> Jill
>> ==
>>
>> The why did you say:
>>
>> "Why get into this discussion about who does or doesn't like Julie's
>> posts?"
>>
> Please don't be obtuse.
>
> Jill
>
> ==
>
> LOL what was obtuse about showing your post????
>
> LOLOL You are joking, right???
>
I suppose I am since I was actually agreeing with you and you still
didn't understand.

Jill

==

If you say so, I will take your word for it.



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >
>
>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>> that
>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>
>> What are they like inside?
>
>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>
>===
>
>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?

Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
me.

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:09:50 +1000, Bruce >
wrote:

>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>wrote:
>
>>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >>
>>
>>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>>> that
>>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>>
>>> What are they like inside?
>>
>>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>>
>>===
>>
>>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?
>
>Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
>me.

Actually, less liquid. It doesn't flow out on its own.

"Bruce" wrote in message ...

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >
>
>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>> that
>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>
>> What are they like inside?
>
>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>
>===
>
>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?

Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
me.

==

Gosh! Thanks




--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Bruce" wrote in message ...

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:09:50 +1000, Bruce >
wrote:

>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>wrote:
>
>>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >>
>>
>>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>>> that
>>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>>
>>> What are they like inside?
>>
>>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>>
>>===
>>
>>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?
>
>Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
>me.

Actually, less liquid. It doesn't flow out on its own.

==

Jellified?


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:24:16 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Bruce" wrote in message ...
>
>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:09:50 +1000, Bruce >
>wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >>>
>>>
>>>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>>>> that
>>>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>>>
>>>> What are they like inside?
>>>
>>>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>>>
>>>===
>>>
>>>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?
>>
>>Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
>>me.
>
>Actually, less liquid. It doesn't flow out on its own.
>
>==
>
>Jellified?

Yes, like firm custard.

"Bruce" wrote in message ...

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:24:16 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .
>
>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:09:50 +1000, Bruce >
>wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >>>
>>>
>>>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>>>> that
>>>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>>>
>>>> What are they like inside?
>>>
>>>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>>>
>>>===
>>>
>>>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?
>>
>>Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
>>me.
>
>Actually, less liquid. It doesn't flow out on its own.
>
>==
>
>Jellified?

Yes, like firm custard.

==

Thanks. Do you like them?




--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:03:14 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Bruce" wrote in message ...
>
>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:24:16 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>wrote:
>
>>"Bruce" wrote in message
. ..
>>
>>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:09:50 +1000, Bruce >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >>>>
>>>>
>>>>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>>>>
>>>>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>>>>> that
>>>>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>>>>
>>>>> What are they like inside?
>>>>
>>>>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>>>>
>>>>===
>>>>
>>>>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?
>>>
>>>Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
>>>me.
>>
>>Actually, less liquid. It doesn't flow out on its own.
>>
>>==
>>
>>Jellified?
>
>Yes, like firm custard.
>
>==
>
>Thanks. Do you like them?

Yes, I do. It's just a strange idea that this hangs on a tree. Same
with black sapote fruit (chocolate fruit).

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" wrote in message news >
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>> that
>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>
>> What are they like inside?
>
> Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
> ===
>
> Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?

I don't have a clue what normal sweet custard would be. Custard isn't eaten
much here. Not any more anyway. In my childhood, my mom and my friend's
grandma both made egg custard. Horrible stuff. I hated it. My friend and I
were always playing tricks on one another. So when her grandma was left to
watch us for the weekend, she told the woman that I LOVED egg custard, so
she made a double batch and made sure to give me big portions all weekend.
And since I had been raised to respect my elders, I tried to gag it down.

We all each tried only one bite of the fruit and had to spit it out. That's
how much we disliked it. It has been a long time since I had egg custard so
not sure if that was exactly it but from all I've read about it, it's
supposed to mimic custard in both taste and texture.

"Bruce" > wrote in message
...
>>Thanks. Do you like them?
>
> Yes, I do. It's just a strange idea that this hangs on a tree. Same
> with black sapote fruit (chocolate fruit).

The one that gets me is star fruit. I haven't seen any since we moved back
here, but I used to be able to get it. I got it all the time in NY when I
made fruit platters for the kids. And even if you bought mixed fruit there,
it was usually included. It was so cute and yet pretty much flavorless. If
there was any flavor at all, it was just a little sour.

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...

> I don't know, but they are very common here and as I said, we had them a
> lot
> when I was a child. Always for 'bonfire night' ie Guy Fawkes night,
> November 5th.
>
> http://www.bonfirenight.net/gunpowder.php
>
> We always made big bonfires and we young 'uns used to eat toffee apples)

Hmmm... Perhaps toffee candy isn't widely available here either? My dad used
to buy Brach's Pick A Mix and there were some little log shaped candies that
were labeled toffee. The only ones I liked were the chocolate. Similar in
taste to a Tootsie Roll but softer. The others were a caramel color and they
had a swirl of flavor inside. Mostly fruit. They were rolled up like jelly
roll then cut in pieces.

I have seen other toffee but it is usually labeled as British or English
toffee. I even made some once and took it to work. My friend who is from
England said it was the same as they got there. Had a crisp, caramel colored
layer of candy on the bottom, then a layer of chocolate, then nuts on top.

We also had Heath bars which was a bar of toffee dipped in chocolate. They
may still be available. Don't know as I only buy candy bars if someone asks
for them or maybe for Halloween, but I doubt these would appeal to most
kids. I did like them as a kid but then I disliked the kinds of candy that
most other kids liked.

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...

> She has accused me from time to time of sadomasochism. I always assumed
> she
> was wanting an introduction. Shame I couldn't help, she might have been a
> happier soul

That's funny!

"cshenk" > wrote in message
...
> Julie Bove wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>
>>
>> "cshenk" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Julie Bove wrote in rec.food.cooking:
>> >
>> > > Anyone familiar with them? They'll be putting a store in Mill
>> > > Creek where a Safeway used to be. The pic shown in the ad looks
>> > > like they have a huge produce section.
>> >
>> > No experience, they aren't local to here. I looked at one of the
>> > flyers and liked the bulk bins from what I could see. The rest
>> > didnt overy excite me but then we have lots of places generally
>> > like that here. Some upscale, some less so, and some very
>> > inexpensive.
>>
>> We have a lot here too. The people in Arlington are complaining that
>> our area has all of the stores like this while they can't seem to get
>> any. I do buy more produce than anything else so I am always
>> interested in places with good selection.
>
> Give it a shot then? You may not find it all to your liking but it may
> make a good second store for rthe fresh stuff if there's a place with
> the simple other stuff along the same route.

I do intend to go once they open. May not be a frequent shopper though as I
rarely get out that way any more. Mainly only go because my hairdresser
moved to a salon out that way or to go to Ace hardware.

"Bruce" wrote in message ...

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:03:14 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Bruce" wrote in message
.. .
>
>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:24:16 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>wrote:
>
>>"Bruce" wrote in message
. ..
>>
>>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 18:09:50 +1000, Bruce >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:30:03 +0100, "Ophelia" >
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Julie Bove" wrote in message news >>>>
>>>>
>>>>"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>>>>
>>>>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>>>>> that
>>>>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>>>>
>>>>> What are they like inside?
>>>>
>>>>Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
>>>>
>>>>===
>>>>
>>>>Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?
>>>
>>>Both the flavour and the consistency of vanilla custard, if you ask
>>>me.
>>
>>Actually, less liquid. It doesn't flow out on its own.
>>
>>==
>>
>>Jellified?
>
>Yes, like firm custard.
>
>==
>
>Thanks. Do you like them?

Yes, I do. It's just a strange idea that this hangs on a tree. Same
with black sapote fruit (chocolate fruit).

==

In which case if I spot one, I will try it, thanks)



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Bruce" > wrote in message
...

>>These don't look like flea bites and both cats have just been to the vet.
>>So
>>no fleas. I felt the first bite itching right after I killed a spider near
>>my computer. The ones we are seeing are the same. All black and sort of
>>thick/chunky looking. Perhaps 1/2" from end to end. Others have been
>>posting
>>pics of them on FB as they have them too but nobody seems to know what
>>they
>>are. I will do some more searching later. So far I turned up no spider
>>known
>>to this area that looks like this.
>
> I believe that spiders, as opposed to fleas etc., only bite in
> self-defense, so to have many bites, you must have had many
> confrontations with them that you didn't notice.

I only noticed the first one. Was talking on the phone to a friend and had
to put the phone down to whack the one on the wall by my computer with a
shoe. I do have a spider catcher but it only seems to work for certain
kinds. Did not work at all when a second one was spotted in the living room.
Right after I disposed of the spider, I felt itching at the top and outside
of my thigh and sure enough there was a bite.

Two days later, I got out of the shower and noticed three red marks on my
lower leg. All marks are different sizes and shapes so that's kind of weird.
They only itched and burned right after I noticed them so it is possible
that they may be something else. Not sure. I took a couple of pics of my
leg. I learned to do that. That way it is easy to compare to see if they
progressed.

I spent more time earlier looking at pics of spiders only to find that the
one that looked like what we had are from Australia. It's not impossible for
them to be that kind but still kind of unlikely.

"Julie Bove" wrote in message news

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
> "Julie Bove" wrote in message news >
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> No, I've never seen those I am not saying we don't get them but not
>> that
>> I have seen ... or if I have, I didn't know what they were)
>>
>> What are they like inside?
>
> Custard. Which is why we don't like them. We don't like custard.
> ===
>
> Like normal sweet custard or are you referring to its consistency?

I don't have a clue what normal sweet custard would be. Custard isn't eaten
much here. Not any more anyway. In my childhood, my mom and my friend's
grandma both made egg custard. Horrible stuff. I hated it. My friend and I
were always playing tricks on one another. So when her grandma was left to
watch us for the weekend, she told the woman that I LOVED egg custard, so
she made a double batch and made sure to give me big portions all weekend.
And since I had been raised to respect my elders, I tried to gag it down.

We all each tried only one bite of the fruit and had to spit it out. That's
how much we disliked it. It has been a long time since I had egg custard so
not sure if that was exactly it but from all I've read about it, it's
supposed to mimic custard in both taste and texture.

==

I don't make it any more, but I used to make egg custard for tarts. For
pouring I used to use Bird's custard powder

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird%27s_Custard

Just need to add milk!

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Julie Bove" wrote in message news

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...

> I don't know, but they are very common here and as I said, we had them a
> lot
> when I was a child. Always for 'bonfire night' ie Guy Fawkes night,
> November 5th.
>
> http://www.bonfirenight.net/gunpowder.php
>
> We always made big bonfires and we young 'uns used to eat toffee apples)

Hmmm... Perhaps toffee candy isn't widely available here either? My dad used
to buy Brach's Pick A Mix and there were some little log shaped candies that
were labeled toffee. The only ones I liked were the chocolate. Similar in
taste to a Tootsie Roll but softer. The others were a caramel color and they
had a swirl of flavor inside. Mostly fruit. They were rolled up like jelly
roll then cut in pieces.

I have seen other toffee but it is usually labeled as British or English
toffee. I even made some once and took it to work. My friend who is from
England said it was the same as they got there. Had a crisp, caramel colored
layer of candy on the bottom, then a layer of chocolate, then nuts on top.

We also had Heath bars which was a bar of toffee dipped in chocolate. They
may still be available. Don't know as I only buy candy bars if someone asks
for them or maybe for Halloween, but I doubt these would appeal to most
kids. I did like them as a kid but then I disliked the kinds of candy that
most other kids liked.

==

Your home made ones sound good

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

"Julie Bove" wrote in message news

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...

> She has accused me from time to time of sadomasochism. I always assumed
> she
> was wanting an introduction. Shame I couldn't help, she might have been a
> happier soul

That's funny!

==

You think I am kidding??

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 03:43:27 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>I only noticed the first one. Was talking on the phone to a friend and had
>to put the phone down to whack the one on the wall by my computer with a
>shoe. I do have a spider catcher but it only seems to work for certain
>kinds. Did not work at all when a second one was spotted in the living room.
>Right after I disposed of the spider, I felt itching at the top and outside
>of my thigh and sure enough there was a bite.
>
>Two days later, I got out of the shower and noticed three red marks on my
>lower leg. All marks are different sizes and shapes so that's kind of weird.
>They only itched and burned right after I noticed them so it is possible
>that they may be something else. Not sure. I took a couple of pics of my
>leg. I learned to do that. That way it is easy to compare to see if they
>progressed.
>
>I spent more time earlier looking at pics of spiders only to find that the
>one that looked like what we had are from Australia. It's not impossible for
>them to be that kind but still kind of unlikely.

Where we live, we're eaten alive by all kinds of bugs during the warm
months, which is 9 out of 12 or so: ticks, horse flies, mosquitoes,
fleas if your pets get them, and various types of nasty ants. We also
have plenty of spiders, but I've never had a bite that I was certain
came from a spider.

I mean to say that, here at least, there are more likely culprits than
spiders. Could be different where you live, of course.

In article >,
lid says...
>
> On Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:19:41 -0500, "cshenk" > wrote:
>
> >Bruce wrote in rec.food.cooking:
> >
> >> On Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:42:10 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >"Janet" > wrote in message
> >> > .. .
> >> >> In article >,
> >> >> says...
> >> > > >
> >> >>> On Mon 26 Jun 2017 04:06:43p, Julie Bove told us...
> >> > > >
> >> >>> > Anyone familiar with them? They'll be putting a store in Mill
> >> >>> > Creek where a Safeway used to be. The pic shown in the ad looks
> >> >>> > like they have a huge produce section.
> >> >>> >
> >> >>> >
> >> > > >
> >> >>> There are a lot of Sprouts in the Phoenix area and do have huge
> >> produce >>> sections, as well as having some unusual produce items
> >> that are usually >>> found in most supermarkets.
> >> > >
> >> >> What a great country, where unusual produce items are usually
> >> found in >> most supermarkets.
> >> > >
> >> >> Janet UK
> >> >
> >> > For crying in the beer! He obviously left out the word "not".
> >> > Sheesh.
> >>
> >> Here's an unusual item usually found in Australian supermarkets:
> >>
> >> <https://www.woolworths.com.au/Shop/P...7/apple-toffee
> >> >
> >>
> >> It's so unusual , I had to Google to find out what it's called.
> >
> >Naw, we have those here.
>
> Ophelia knew them too. Maybe it's an Anglo thing.

We invented them (after we'd invented apple pie).

Janet

On 6/28/2017 10:31 PM, Bruce wrote:

> Julie wrote:
>> These don't look like flea bites and both cats have just been to the vet. So
>> no fleas. I felt the first bite itching right after I killed a spider near
>> my computer. The ones we are seeing are the same. All black and sort of
>> thick/chunky looking. Perhaps 1/2" from end to end. Others have been posting
>> pics of them on FB as they have them too but nobody seems to know what they
>> are. I will do some more searching later. So far I turned up no spider known
>> to this area that looks like this.
>
> I believe that spiders, as opposed to fleas etc., only bite in
> self-defense, so to have many bites, you must have had many
> confrontations with them that you didn't notice.

I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
will eat the insects that are biting you.

- fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them

- bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
sleeping.

- bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
painting foundation and retaining walls.

Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.

Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
crazy forever.

And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.

Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
for sure.

"Gary" wrote in message news
On 6/28/2017 10:31 PM, Bruce wrote:

> Julie wrote:
>> These don't look like flea bites and both cats have just been to the vet.
>> So
>> no fleas. I felt the first bite itching right after I killed a spider
>> near
>> my computer. The ones we are seeing are the same. All black and sort of
>> thick/chunky looking. Perhaps 1/2" from end to end. Others have been
>> posting
>> pics of them on FB as they have them too but nobody seems to know what
>> they
>> are. I will do some more searching later. So far I turned up no spider
>> known
>> to this area that looks like this.
>
> I believe that spiders, as opposed to fleas etc., only bite in
> self-defense, so to have many bites, you must have had many
> confrontations with them that you didn't notice.

I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
will eat the insects that are biting you.

- fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them

- bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
sleeping.

- bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
painting foundation and retaining walls.

Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.

Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
crazy forever.

And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.

Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
for sure.

===

It sounds hellish Would an anithistamine med not have helped?







--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

Gary wrote:
>Bruce wrote:
> > Julie wrote:
>>> These don't look like flea bites and both cats have just been to the vet. So
>>> no fleas. I felt the first bite itching right after I killed a spider near
>>> my computer. The ones we are seeing are the same. All black and sort of
>>> thick/chunky looking. Perhaps 1/2" from end to end. Others have been posting
>>> pics of them on FB as they have them too but nobody seems to know what they
>>> are. I will do some more searching later. So far I turned up no spider known
>>> to this area that looks like this.
>>
>> I believe that spiders, as opposed to fleas etc., only bite in
>> self-defense, so to have many bites, you must have had many
>> confrontations with them that you didn't notice.
>
>I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
>covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
>creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
>will eat the insects that are biting you.
>
>- fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
>vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them
>
>- bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
>especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
>sleeping.
>
>- bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
>infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
>painting foundation and retaining walls.
>
> Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
>clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
>was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.
>
>Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
>months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
>on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
>crazy forever.
>
>And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
>went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
>itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.
>
>Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
>me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
>relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
>scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
>for sure.

Are you sure it wasnt ticks? I'm suprised you weren't injected with
the antidote for the various diseases carried by the various types of
ticks. New York State is infested with Deer Ticks (Lyme Disease),
American Dog Tick (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fevor, Lone Star Tick (Human
Cytic Ehrlichiosos - HME), Woodchuck Tick (Ixodes Cooki - associated
with Powassan Encephalitis. However the same ticks spread to many
other states too. Each season my doctor hands out broshures and
wallet cards containing information and how to ID the various insects.
During warm seasons I treat my cats with Frontline, just squeeze the
ampule on the back of their neck once a month... it's trickier but I
treat the ferals too, I lure them close with tuna and need to be fast.

On 6/29/2017 6:23 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> We all each tried only one bite of the fruit and had to spit it out.
> That's how much we disliked it.

That not good. I have tasted non-desireable food before but never
actually spit something out. Get a life. Be polite.

On 6/29/2017 6:27 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>Same with black sapote fruit (chocolate fruit).

Never heard of this. I'll have to google it later. ;o

On 6/29/2017 9:05 AM, Ophelia wrote:
> Incidentally, I am still awaiting the proof of your accusation I am
> living in a 60s Shopping
> Centre!

Let it go, Oph. We all saw the picture.
Doesn't matter where you live as long
as you are happy there. :-D

"Gary" wrote in message news
On 6/29/2017 9:05 AM, Ophelia wrote:
> Incidentally, I am still awaiting the proof of your accusation I am
> living in a 60s Shopping
> Centre!

Let it go, Oph. We all saw the picture.
Doesn't matter where you live as long
as you are happy there. :-D

==

You are right. It just prolongs the nastiness and I can do without it. It
never ends and it gets so tiring.

Time for that one to be in my bin, eh? )

DONE!

Good thinking, Gary


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

On 6/29/2017 12:07 PM, Ophelia wrote:
> "Gary" wrote in message news >
> On 6/29/2017 9:05 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>> Incidentally, I am still awaiting the proof of your accusation I am
>> living in a 60s Shopping
>> Centre!
>
> Let it go, Oph. We all saw the picture.
> Doesn't matter where you live as long
> as you are happy there. :-D
>
> ==
>
> You are right. It just prolongs the nastiness and I can do without it.
> It never ends and it gets so tiring.
>
> Time for that one to be in my bin, eh? )
>
> DONE!
>
> Good thinking, Gary
>
>
No...actually, we all knew that was a joke picture of where you lived. I
was seriously suprised that you got so offended as it was obviously a joke.

I have NEVER thought you lived in that concrete building. Perhaps you
could post a pic of the front of your real house someday. At least
Sheldon might believe it with a pic.

Hey, don't you remember when I posted a pic of my place?

and for Wayne: heheheh

t

"Gary" wrote in message news
On 6/29/2017 12:07 PM, Ophelia wrote:
> "Gary" wrote in message news >
> On 6/29/2017 9:05 AM, Ophelia wrote:
>> Incidentally, I am still awaiting the proof of your accusation I am
>> living in a 60s Shopping
>> Centre!
>
> Let it go, Oph. We all saw the picture.
> Doesn't matter where you live as long
> as you are happy there. :-D
>
> ==
>
> You are right. It just prolongs the nastiness and I can do without it.
> It never ends and it gets so tiring.
>
> Time for that one to be in my bin, eh? )
>
> DONE!
>
> Good thinking, Gary
>
>
No...actually, we all knew that was a joke picture of where you lived. I
was seriously suprised that you got so offended as it was obviously a joke.

I have NEVER thought you lived in that concrete building. Perhaps you
could post a pic of the front of your real house someday. At least
Sheldon might believe it with a pic.

Hey, don't you remember when I posted a pic of my place?

and for Wayne: heheheh

==

No I don't? When did you do that



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

In article >, penmart01
@aol.com says...
>
> Gary wrote:
> >Bruce wrote:
> > > Julie wrote:
> >>> These don't look like flea bites and both cats have just been to the vet. So
> >>> no fleas. I felt the first bite itching right after I killed a spider near
> >>> my computer. The ones we are seeing are the same. All black and sort of
> >>> thick/chunky looking. Perhaps 1/2" from end to end. Others have been posting
> >>> pics of them on FB as they have them too but nobody seems to know what they
> >>> are. I will do some more searching later. So far I turned up no spider known
> >>> to this area that looks like this.
> >>
> >> I believe that spiders, as opposed to fleas etc., only bite in
> >> self-defense, so to have many bites, you must have had many
> >> confrontations with them that you didn't notice.
> >
> >I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
> >covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
> >creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
> >will eat the insects that are biting you.
> >
> >- fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
> >vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them
> >
> >- bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
> >especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
> >sleeping.
> >
> >- bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
> >infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
> >painting foundation and retaining walls.
> >
> > Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
> >clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
> >was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.
> >
> >Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
> >months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
> >on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
> >crazy forever.
> >
> >And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
> >went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
> >itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.
> >
> >Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
> >me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
> >relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
> >scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
> >for sure.

There's no mistaking a new tick bite; the tick is still firmly
attached and visible as a pinhead. Their grip is so tight that you
can't accidentally brush one off by scratching the itch. Left alone, (if
not noticed on a very furry pet) they hang on for several days,
expanding, only dropping off when fully engorged with blood (swollen
from pinhead to about the size of a frozen pea).

We use this nifty little tick twister tool sold by pharmacies here.
It's quick and a sure way to get the whole tick off including its head;
and so painless that housepets won't fight and struggle.

http://www.bada-uk.org/correct-tick-...-tick-removal-
tool

I've had two ticks this summer and so has the dog. I tick-check him
every day at this time of year.

Janet UK

On 2017-06-29 1:24 PM, Janet wrote:
> In article >, penmart01
> @aol.com says...

> There's no mistaking a new tick bite; the tick is still firmly
> attached and visible as a pinhead. Their grip is so tight that you
> can't accidentally brush one off by scratching the itch. Left alone, (if
> not noticed on a very furry pet) they hang on for several days,
> expanding, only dropping off when fully engorged with blood (swollen
> from pinhead to about the size of a frozen pea).
>
> We use this nifty little tick twister tool sold by pharmacies here.
> It's quick and a sure way to get the whole tick off including its head;
> and so painless that housepets won't fight and struggle.
>
> http://www.bada-uk.org/correct-tick-...-tick-removal-
> tool
>
> I've had two ticks this summer and so has the dog. I tick-check him
> every day at this time of year.
>


I never saw a tick until about 12 years ago but they are now quite
common around here. People are saying that our cool, damp spring has
caused an exception crop of them this year, but I have seen a lot less
this yer than last. I have one break off when I tried to remove it with
tweezers last March. I ended up bowing to pressure and going to a walk
in clinic but the doctor said he would just make more of a mess than I
had and that it could come out on its own when it healed.

I had one on the back of my knee last week. I kept scratching down there
but it wasn't until I undressed for bed that I spotted the little bugger
latched on to me. It popped right out with the tick pick but it left a
tender little hole there.

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:22:31 +0100, "Ophelia" >
wrote:

>"Gary" wrote in message news >
>I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
>covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
>creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
>will eat the insects that are biting you.
>
>- fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
>vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them
>
>- bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
>especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
>sleeping.
>
>- bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
>infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
>painting foundation and retaining walls.
>
> Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
>clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
>was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.
>
>Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
>months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
>on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
>crazy forever.
>
>And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
>went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
>itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.
>
>Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
>me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
>relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
>scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
>for sure.
>
>===
>
>It sounds hellish Would an anithistamine med not have helped?

Yes, it sounds like an Australian summer and then some.

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:14:11 -0400, Gary > wrote:

>I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
>covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
>creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
>will eat the insects that are biting you.
>
>- fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
>vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them
>
>- bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
>especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
>sleeping.
>
>- bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
>infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
>painting foundation and retaining walls.
>
> Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
>clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
>was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.
>
>Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
>months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
>on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
>crazy forever.
>
>And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
>went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
>itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.
>
>Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
>me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
>relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
>scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
>for sure.

Sounds terrible.

A vet once said about our region: 10 months of the year, ticks love it
here. The other 2 months they like it.

On Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 3:14:23 AM UTC-10, Gary wrote:
> On 6/28/2017 10:31 PM, Bruce wrote:
>
> > Julie wrote:
> >> These don't look like flea bites and both cats have just been to the vet. So
> >> no fleas. I felt the first bite itching right after I killed a spider near
> >> my computer. The ones we are seeing are the same. All black and sort of
> >> thick/chunky looking. Perhaps 1/2" from end to end. Others have been posting
> >> pics of them on FB as they have them too but nobody seems to know what they
> >> are. I will do some more searching later. So far I turned up no spider known
> >> to this area that looks like this.
> >
> > I believe that spiders, as opposed to fleas etc., only bite in
> > self-defense, so to have many bites, you must have had many
> > confrontations with them that you didn't notice.
>
> I do agree with you. Spiders will only bite you in bed if it's under the
> covers and you move and it feels threatened. It's probably some other
> creature and most times it's beneficial to leave spiders alone...they
> will eat the insects that are biting you.
>
> - fleas: don't assume no fleas just because both cats have been to the
> vet. Look at the cat's fur carefully and if it has fleas, you will see them
>
> - bedbugs: as awful as it sounds, check your bedding carefully
> especially on seams. They only seem to come out at night while you are
> sleeping.
>
> - bird mites: I got an invasion of those a few years ago. Yard was
> infested with them and I spent 3 days crawling around on the ground
> painting foundation and retaining walls.
>
> Didn't know about them until too late so I carried them home on my
> clothes and got bit all over my body. They even got on both ferrets. It
> was a miserable 3-4 months for all of us.
>
> Once they bite you, the bite mark and all the itching lasted several
> months. I spent that summer in hell a few years ago. Hundreds of bites
> on me. I got rid of the insects fast but the original bites itched like
> crazy forever.
>
> And you can't even scratch or you risk opening them up to infection. I
> went an entire spring and summer with very little sleep, entire body
> itching and all I could do was lay there and bear it. oh man.
>
> Doctor gave me anti-itch cream but it did nothing for me. He also warned
> me not to break down and scratch or risk infection. The only "scratch"
> relief was to take a super hot shower...the hot water simulated
> scratching without rubbing the skin raw. Nightmare on my street, that's
> for sure.

We've had bedbugs. It's pretty nasty. Those things were a big problem on this rock a few years ago but the situation seems to have "stabilized."

My solution was to isolate those things from their food - us. I enclosed the mattress in plastic for a few months. It might have been 6 months. I did try some insecticides for bedbugs but the most effective agent was cheap rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle which kills them within seconds. Just don't spray the stuff near an open flame or you'll end up dead within seconds.

On 6/29/2017 1:49 PM, Bruce wrote:
> A vet once said about our region: 10 months of the year, ticks love it
> here. The other 2 months they like it.

yikes!
what is your climate there? Tropical? Semi-tropical. I don't know
exactly where you live in AUS but I think it to be in the northern part.

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:20:58 -0400, Gary > wrote:

>On 6/29/2017 1:49 PM, Bruce wrote:
>> A vet once said about our region: 10 months of the year, ticks love it
>> here. The other 2 months they like it.
>
>yikes!
>what is your climate there? Tropical? Semi-tropical. I don't know
>exactly where you live in AUS but I think it to be in the northern part.

Semi-tropical. Further north it gets a lot hotter, but we also have
the humidity here that ticks like.

On Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 4:10:20 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>
> On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:20:58 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>
> >On 6/29/2017 1:49 PM, Bruce wrote:
>
> >> A vet once said about our region: 10 months of the year, ticks love it
> >> here. The other 2 months they like it.
> >
> >yikes!
> >what is your climate there? Tropical? Semi-tropical. I don't know
> >exactly where you live in AUS but I think it to be in the northern part.
>
> Semi-tropical. Further north it gets a lot hotter, but we also have
> the humidity here that ticks like.
>
>
My brother and sister-in-law keep guinea fowl on their property are
are now pretty much tick free.

On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:29:23 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>On Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 4:10:20 PM UTC-5, Bruce wrote:
>>
>> On Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:20:58 -0400, Gary > wrote:
>>
>> >On 6/29/2017 1:49 PM, Bruce wrote:
>>
>> >> A vet once said about our region: 10 months of the year, ticks love it
>> >> here. The other 2 months they like it.
>> >
>> >yikes!
>> >what is your climate there? Tropical? Semi-tropical. I don't know
>> >exactly where you live in AUS but I think it to be in the northern part.
>>
>> Semi-tropical. Further north it gets a lot hotter, but we also have
>> the humidity here that ticks like.
>>
>>
>My brother and sister-in-law keep guinea fowl on their property are
>are now pretty much tick free.

Yes, they do a good job of that.