A Tick in her Ear

..apologies to Feydeau. But today i found one! Actually IN my ear!
i didnt feel it, you dont feel ticks (except, in my experience, when they emerge on to your face and disturb the very sensitive, fine, invisible hairs we have there … maybe they’re like a cat’s whiskers?

But by what i consider a fortunate event, i dug the small insect outta my ear purely by happenstance. It was VERY small: insects dont have uniquely juvenile characteristics neoteny, like mammals do. Like reptiles, they are born looking like they will always look , only smaller. This was a baby dog tick.

Eeeek! what if i hadnt found it? Could it have gone on in to my brain!?!? Sucked my grey matter to fatten its capacious belly? i mean, these critters as adults are the size of an appleseed, but after battening and feeding, the size of a grape! That feast mighta been some vital recollection—or ability to remember!

WIth most bugs, if tbey get into your ear, you should hold a flashlight at that side of your head, the thing will go to the light, and out. But i dont think ticks like light. They only care about blood.