GETTING TICKED OFF

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Ken and I were eager to take a pic of the neatly lined up fallen trees that resembled newly sharpened massive pencils, downed by local beavers, when we detected a challenge. Ken noticed on my dhoti (lower garment) that two tics had clung on.

Then he saw the same appearance of the little rascals on his white dhoti. We didn’t exactly panic but we were a bit anxious on the trail we tread. Needless to say, it was a priority to shake off these little rascals who are carriers of the infamous lyme disease.

The gorgeous place we found ourselves in, in Mother Nature’s resting place, Wanuskewin, a gathering place for indigenous Cree for more than 6400 years, was the attraction. Cute prairie dog scurry about squeaking like crazy. Though it is early spring for Saskatchewan with patches of snow still melting, those little buggers are already out, I mean to say “the tics.”

The famous Canadian musician heartthrob (for some) Justin Bieber, had symptoms of Lyme disease. It is no fun to be taxed by these deer tics. Anyways, we did not spot deer, but their dung, as well as coyote stool samples, known as scat.

There is a fascination about the Wanuskewin Heritage Park. I am a sucker for these historical places with their educational centres. I want to learn and in the learning, advance my appreciation for the peoples of the past who lived very organically.

As far as the present goes, me and a small team of walkers ambled along the Saskatchewan River in the morning connecting with early bird walkers. By evening we had a great time with a usual stopover with dinner, kirtan and katha with some nice Bangladeshi folks. It was so sweet. During the course of the day both Ken and I kept checking our legs and torso. Are we carrying any of those souls called tics?

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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