You can treasure another man's trash while getting drunk with his horse.

Indubitably. Like, our kid could've been shaped like my family but he definitely gets his size from his pops. And my nephew's going to hit a height growth spurt soon but probably won't get much broader if my brother's genetics have anything to say. His dad, the youngest of the 3 of us, is 6'2" ish and probably weighs about 135 dripping wet. My dad only just (in the last 10 years or so) got over 140. He's 5'11". The middle kid, 140ish, 6'ish. All 3 more athletic build, very active fellas. Kajoozie and his brother are 6'8" and 6'6", barrel chested, broad shouldered, lumberjack shaped fellas.

The rains came late this year so the banks weren't even visible from the boat. This is usually prime gator spotting season.

The one on the left is massive with a blister in the center.

It has taken A LONG TIME for me to be on better terms with the 8 legged ones. The 6 legged ones still give me the heebiejeebies 9 times out of 10.

I wish this picture showed how angry and swollen these yellow jacket stings are. I *need* to show you guys. #stupidyellowjackets #mycalflookslumpy

I saw this sign at a rest stop on our drive home. Usually I see MANY gators on summer visits but the water was high this time so this ended up being false advertising for my entire trip. I was the only gator around.

My dad lives between gulf coast bayous and the Atchafalaya Basin, which is the largest wetland/river swamp in the US. The basin actually kinda goes *around* his house/town.

The biggest spider I saw was definitely not the biggest one out there. The mosquitoes almost carried us away so I didn't get to find bigger before we had to leave. I did, however, manage to find and anger the only yellow jacket that woke up and chose violence yesterday. I have 2 (but maybe 3 because one looks like it could be 2) ANGRY yellow jacket stings on my calf. They don't die after stinging and so they can strike multiple times. I was on a rickety single person bridge so no one could help me. I very nearly fell into a whole cluster of cypress knees in the swamp. They leave a trace pheromone that attracts others so they can swarm. I had to swat and scoot off the bridge. Thankfully my dad is a smoker so we were able to get tobacco on the biggest sting. I didn't even notice the other because he didn't make strong contact. Little fucker.

That's that influence.

It's wild. Kajoozie is a great big fella and my brother, though tall, is scrawny.

They've just spent a week in the swamps together and now they're spending a week in the city together. Would you believe they're only 6 months apart in age? #cousins #coullions

I swear I thought I responded to you... Not this visit but maaaaaybe the next. Depending on the time of year. Don't wanna wake up face to face with a 5 inch long orb weaver.

I love visiting my homelands. But I also love returning to my home and air conditioning. Lol.