Poison ivy chronicles

Almost everybody seems to have a story about getting poison ivy. I have a whole book’s worth, but out of consideration I won’t tell them here. Poison ivy stories share something in common with descriptions of Super Bowl commercials; perhaps more entertaining for the teller than the listener.

It is the season, though. The wiry stems are unfolding with those dreadful leaves of three, containing oils that to one degree or another cause about 85% of people to break out in a painful rash, every place bare skin has touched the plant. This photo of the plant was taken along a secluded path in the Wissahickon Valley, on a nice sandy spot overlooking the creek. Very romantic, actually.

Anyway, like I was saying, lots of people have poison ivy stories.