by Pa Rock
Desert Rat
It was a warm and toasty 107 degrees in the Valley of Hell both yesterday and today. If the current trend continues, it could really get hot by August! Isn't fire also a dry heat?
I read a piece in one of the local rags about a guy who makes a living "milking" scorpions and selected varieties of spiders. The product is used in manufacturing "anti-venoms" and other scientific endeavors. (Colonel Mustard in the library with scorpion venom, anyone?)
Apparently there are two methods for collecting the venom. One involves placing cellophane over a receptacle and the letting the scorpion (or whatever) sting the film. The second method involves strapping the little bugger into some type of restraint, connecting suction tubes, and then stimulating him with an electric shock. Apparently method number two is much more reliable and really gets the old juices flowing!
I have no interest in becoming a scorpion milker, but I know for a fact that I could catch them. Been there, done that. I also milked one, just not in a way that preserved the venom! There are scorpions under most rocks in this cruel desert. Just flip them over and scoop the little bastards up in a paper cup and deposit them in a minnow bucket or some ventilated container. Nothing to it - until you get to the rock that is keeping Brother Rattler cool! That's when it gets interesting!
But the desert is not all hell-on-earth and venom - the sunsets are amazing!
4 comments:
I knew there was something amazing about the desert - just could not remember what it was amid all the scorpion and dry heat stories you have been scaring me away with:)
I am thinking full moons are pretty awesome sights,too. They do have those out there, right?
Yes, we do. And they are amazing also! Sometimes it's hard to focus on the good things in this oppressive heat!
Living in the desert sounds rather, er, hot. And not in the Paris Hilton sense. I applaud you for doing it. Have you ever considered going on Survivor? You strike me as the type who could do it. Million dollars anyone?
I hadn't thought of doing Survivor, but there are days that I feel like I am one of the cast. It might be a good idea from a money perspective - if I don't hit the Powerball soon, I am going to have to come up with a new retirement strategy anyway!
I think that I could eat scorpions - fried - with mustard or Ranch dressing - maybe even with guacamole.
Post a Comment