Some of you have asked about my blog, and many more have probably just been wondering what’s become of it. I should have provided this explanation a long time ago, and I apologize for waiting so long. Here’s the story:
Last summer I came down with Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease. I was quite sick—I spent 6 days in the hospital and a long time after that just getting back to near normal. It was a really bad experience, and I don’t ever want to go through that again. I thought I had been careful enough about ticks, but what I was doing was clearly not enough. I learned that Anaplasmosis can be transmitted in just a few hours, not the 24 to 36 hours that they talk about for Lyme Disease. On top of that, the disease is becoming increasingly common in the Northeast. So I’m avoiding all situations where I might come into contact with ticks. My blog has always grown out of real time tracking experiences and discoveries, and without that kind of inspiration it doesn’t happen. And unfortunately, unless it’s really cold, tracking usually involves exposure to ticks. So I’m sad to say that my blog has come to an end. Thanks to all of you who followed it. I’ve appreciated the comments many of you posted, and I hope you’ve been inspired to make your own discoveries and do your own analyses. But do be careful. If your body tells you something isn’t right don’t ignore it—see a doctor.
So that’s it. I’m sad to be saying goodbye to all of you, but life happens and we make the best of it. I’ll still be observing my surroundings and asking questions about the natural world, and I hope you do the same.
THANK YOU LINDA! Your careful, experienced observations are inspiring. I had anaplasmosis a year and half ago, also in hospital. Am going hiking this afternoon with my socks pulled over my pant cuffs and will check more carefully for ticks afterwards because of your good reminder. I’ll miss your great outdoor leadership. Best, Ruth
We’ll miss your experiences out in nature that you so lovingly shared with all of us.
Thanks so much, Linda, and we wish you the very best.
Take care.
Thinking of Linda, thank you all your expertise and sharing
It’s been a privilege to learn from you Linda, you taught me and many others so much. Thank you.
Linda- Well, you certainly have had a rough patch. I understand your reluctance as I have same hesitations. I’m certainly not as fearless about crashing through brush and tall grass like I used to. Thank you for all the insights you have shared over the years and I am grateful to have been in field with you.
Best
Pat
Linda, I’m so sorry to hear all that. I have always looked forward to reading your blog postings and have admired the way you gather and present information. Your experience is reminding me to treat my outdoor time here in Northern Minnesota with greater awareness of the hazards posed by ticks. Thank you for sharing your passion through your excellent blogs all these years.
Thank you, Linda, for your selfless sharing of your passion for the natural world, in general, and your expertise regarding animal tracks and wildlife behavior more specifically. I will always treasure your book “A Field Guide to Tracking Mammals in the Northeast”.
I’m so sorry you went through that! We will miss you. Any chance you will combine your blogs? They are wonderful. Best wishes for a full recovery
Thank you, Linda, for sharing your endless knowledge with us, inspiring us and impressing on us the need to get to know the places we live and love.
Your blog inspired my own and has helped me along my tracking journey in so many ways. Thank you very very much.
P.S. I share your book with all of my students now as well and it has inspired us all to draw more.
Thank you for sharing your tracking and nature observations skills with us over many years. It has been fun, fascinating and informative!
I am so sorry about your experience with a tick borne illness and so glad you have recovered. I know folks that have struggled for years with continued symptoms. While my husband and I still frequent the woods, we are extra careful with tick gators, spray and thorough checks. We have both gotten Lyme numerous times (before this level of protection), but infections that were quickly healed with antibiotics. A vaccine is being introduced shortly that is 75% effective at preventing illnesses. Still a chance though. What a difficult situation we all are in with this epidemic. Stay healthy!
Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for the blog- I enjoyed it and learned a few things!
Be well,
Anne Marie 🐾🐾☮️
Linda,
I am so sorry to hear about you tick illness. Good grief. Glad to hear that you are on the mend.
I’m currently giving talks on climate change, and the news is not good. We now have mosquito borne encephalitis here in BC, normally not this far north.
I have enjoyed guessing what the tracks were in the snow. No longer snow here….
Heard a few spectacular string concerts with a terrific cellist!
Your blog was AMAZING! I totally respect your decision and support it 100%. Just know that I really enjoyed your blog and appreciate all the time and effort you put into sharing it with us. Maybe you could compile everything into a book? Wishing you all the very best and thank you!
Thank you for all your insights and hard work. I will miss this.