I've heard some talk around town lately about the lack of mosquitoes so far this year. There seem to be lots of theories behind this phenomenon ranging the fact we've not had much rain to chemicals being used in the rice field. Someone also suggested that more corn fields vs. rice fields this year may also be a contributing factor.

Either way, no one's really complaining about the lack of those pesky little blood suckers.

Honestly, I don't guess I've noticed the decline in mosquitoes. And there's a good reason for that. I hate to break it to you, but North Arkansas "skeeters" are far and few between compared to where I grew up.

Down in Lake Village, which is about as far southeast as you can go and still be in Arkansas, we had mosquitoes that were literally the size of small birds. They were miserable during the day, not just at night.

Where I grew up there was a rice field directly across from my front yard and a bayou directly behind our back yard. (I got in trouble a lot for playing on that ditch bank, and dad used to threaten to throw our toys in it when we fought over them, but that's a different story entirely.)

So, you can imagine that with all that standing water nearby, it was like a mosquito plaque at my house. You pretty much didn't go outside after dark if it could be avoided. And, when it was quiet in the house you could hear the constant "buzz" outside. Really, I'm not being dramatic here!

I think some of my worst mosquito memories center around the Fourth of July. That was one night of the year when it was worth getting eaten alive. Well, almost. Our strategy was to drown yourself in off, skin-so-soft and whatever else you could think of. Then we shot all the non-dramatic fireworks before it got dark. Only the biggest and best were saved for last. Then, it was basically a contest to see how long we could hold out before setting off those last fireworks. We very rarely made it past dusk.

I know they say that nature is delicately balanced and to eliminate any animal could cause the food chain to collapse. But, if someone could find a way to kill mosquitoes forever I think it would be worth the risk.

And, on that note, have a happy Fourth of July!