Poison Ivy

Can you say Poison ivy?  We have it all around our fields and growing up our cedar trees in our pastures.  Until last June when we moved I had never seen Poison Ivy so huge.  I was amazed at the vines twisting around some of our posts that look like mini Poison Ivy Trees.  I haven't found any good uses for it yet and doubt I will. 

Until last year my kids didn't have a healthy respect for it..... you can't say I didn't warn them, I did.  Between having the itchy blisters on various limbs for weeks and my one son having to go to the Doctor because of it they have learned to avoid it like the plague. 

Unfortunately, we still have some out breaks here and there.  I suspect that our animals may be traipsing through the vines where they pick up some of the volatile oils on their fur.  We then pet them or pick them up and contract  the unwelcome little rash.

I recently read somewhere that the old fashioned "Zote" soap works wonders for getting the oils off your skin so it doesn't spread.  We will be trying that and hoping for the best.  I am just thankful that no one in the family is so sensitive to it that they break out just being close to it.