For Christmas, I received my dream coat from my Dad and I haven’t taken it off since. It’s so freakin’ warm and cozy I can hardly stand it. As soon as the HH leaves for work I turn down the heat to 62 degrees and walk around in my sleeping bag coat until about an hour before he comes home and then I crank the heat back up to 65 so he won’t’ notice. It’s been RAD I tell you. Pretty stinkin’ RAD.
When the HH left for work this morning he told be make sure and bundle up when I take Lucy for a walk because the weatherman said it’s going to be a high of 36 and a low of 28 today.
“Are you kidding me? Have you seen my coat?”
He just rolls his eyes.
He’s not a believer. He doesn’t believe that on the east coast… people wear coats and they actually STAY WARM while wearing them. He also doesn’t understand the concept of heating your home with a woodstove {with free wood from downed trees on your property, the side of the road or free wood piles}. These are my battles people. Things I need to convince him of if I’m ever going to get out of here.
Oh, and then there is the whole “blackfly” issue. “Have you seen the videos on YouTube? Blackflies will take CHUNKS out of your skin. And you want us to move there? You.Are.Crazy.” He says.
What a whiner.
I tell him I’m pretty sure someone has invented a lotion he can spread on his arms.
Still…. the excuses on why we can’t pick up today and move East keep on coming.
Do you like to start the New Year off with a clean pantry? I do. Well, okay, so maybe I have ulterior motives {shhh} but still, I think it’s good to start off the New Year with a clean home and a clean pantry. And freezer. And fridge.
I had no idea there were so many loaves of bread and bags of blueberries still in the freezer. Sheesh! Oh, and that $20 Costco cash card photo I shared above? It came in the mail yesterday. Apparently when the HH rented a car over Thanksgiving break, Costco travel was running a $20 cash card promo. Giddy up! This means I can get some free bananas and milk and maybe top off the gas tank today.
What’s new with you?
And if you live on the East coast… are the black flies really as bad as the HH says they are or is he just being dramatic?
~Mavis
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Rosaleen says
Yes, the black flies here can be nasty, and can take out chunks of skin, but they usually are out for only a few weeks. Try Permethrin on clothing and insect repellant on exposed skin. “Dryer sheets,” pinned on a hat, stuck into a pocket, etc., also seem to help.
Rebecca says
Black flies… we live in South Carolina… black flies are not an issue. If you are referring to house flies… they occasionally come around… but are easy to swat and do not bite.
Mosquitos are a different story. But yes, there are many options to keep them away. And some people are more susceptible to being bit, that is for sure. But from Avon Skin so Soft… to many other options, you can ward them away. For some people, they do tend to leave wells, but a little itch cream and they will subside.
We have always lived in SC…close to mountains, close to beaches! If you know of a place without any mosquitos, let me know… and I WILL MOVE!
Oh, and we also have biting flies… small tiny flies that bite. Not as bad of a bite as a mosquitos for some… but itch like crazy!
A few years back we traveled to Newfoundland to visit family. I mistakenly thought they would have no mosquitos due to the cold! WRONG! They were humongous! And they bit us up!!!!!! In SC they aren’t that large… but they are around. Oh, and nowadays people have their yards sprayed for them. It truly helped my sister who lives on a lake with wet areas around. As long as they spray the yard (chemicals though) they are much better off!
Enjoy… and good luck!!
Laurie says
In New England, (NH), the black flies are only out around May. Put some Off on and you are good to go. Now the snow that came yesterday with the freezing rain afterwards, now that is a pain I the $&@! We do love the four seasons though!
Mary G says
I live in Southern New England. Black flies are horrid in May in Maine from what I recall. Where I am, not so much. We partly heat our house with a wood-burning stove. We usually purchase about three cords of wood a year and use some downed wood on our property. We could maybe buy fewer cords of wood if we utilized more of the fallen wood or found wood, but it takes time and energy to saw the wood into logs and then split and stack it. With full-time jobs, there’s only so much time and energy for that. I’m originally from California and have lived here nearly 16 years. No matter where you live, there will be things you don’t like somewhat,
Kelly says
Yes black flies are a problem but they are only here from about Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. Tell him to stop whining! A good insect repellant is all that’s needed.
What he really should be whining about is the ever changing weather. On Christmas Eve the temp was 67 degrees. Yesterday we got six inches of snow and ice. New England weather is crazy!!!
Shell says
No biting flies in Texas (that I have dealt with in 37yrs of being in Texas). Mosquitoes are a whole other ball game. Repellent helps and they aren’t out all year long. I’m also in North Texas near Dallas. Houston tends to have totally different issues as does Amarillo or ElPaso. We are too vast of a state down here. Lol
Tonya says
Black flies will NOT take chunks out of your skin. I’ve lived in North Carolina for 46 years & not once have I been attacked by a fly. LOL. Get a fly swatter, swat the fly …. problem solved. The only thing they do is aggravate you. They are harmless.
Stacey says
When I lived the Adirondacks we had 4 seasons…winter, tourist season, black fly season, and road work season. Lol! The black flies are irritating but nothing a good spray can’t handle.
Pam says
We lived in NH for 9 years. Loved NH, HATED the black flies. To do any work in the garden during that time required a bug hat, turtleneck shirt with long sleeves, long pants and long socks. You tuck your pants into your socks and secure them in place with rubber bands. You tuck you sleeves into your gloves and hold in place with rubber bands. The flies still find their way inside your bug hat and torment you. I had a complete ring of bites around my neck the first year we lived there. The itch is much worse than a mosquito and if you scratch too much, you will have scars. I was helping an elderly local woman with her garden the first year we lived there and she was quite alarmed with my reaction to the bites and insisted on taking me to a local retired dr. for help. People in town referred to me as the new person with all the bites. I was referred to as the new person in town for the first 5 years we lived there 🙁 . Avon’s Skin So Soft did help a little as a repellent in future years while we lived there. They sold it at the local Walmart with the bug sprays! BF’s are worse in the woods and not as bad in the cities. Worse near water/ponds too. BTW, New England has 5 seasons – winter, mud season, spring, summer and an absolutely gorgeous autumn. I’ve had a boot sucked off my foot by being stuck in the mud during mud season
I’ll take Washington’s mosquitos over the black flies and mosquitos of New England anytime!
Ashleah says
I live close to DC and I don’t really have much of an issue with black flies.
Alison says
Me too. I don’t even know what they are… We get pretty bad mosquitoes in the summer though, but I love it here!
Wynne says
Me three for DC/VA. Also never had a black fly issue in MD or PA. And my mom in ME was surprised she had none, too; she was protected by coastal breezes. Maybe it’s very local. Ask a neighbor, Mavis?
Angela says
We live in MA and barely ever have encountered black flies. My aunt in NH, who has horses and lives in the woods, complains about them for about 2 weeks a year in may or june. There are a ton of pros and cons but the flies are such a small issue!
Marcia says
Ha ha. It’s a little chilly down south here in CA, but my hubby got me fuzzy pjs for Xmas, and I’ve been living in them. I’d wear them to work if I thought I could get away with it.
Pam says
My husband just reminded me about the biting flies that came later in the summer. I forgot about those buggers. Their bites hurt! The one thing that always made us happy in regards to black flies was when we saw the dragon flies! They looked like a little squadron of helicopters coming to save us from the black flies and they did a good job of eating those little suckers.
Sharon R. says
Maybe I have my head in the sand, but I’m a life-long New Englander, primarily a Massachusetts resident, and I’ve never had an issue with black flies. Mavis, move to Mass and come be my neighbor!
Laura Z says
I live in NC and had to google them. Don’t think they are an issue in the Carolinas. We have mosquitos and heat, but lots of good, sunny weather and plenty of blue skies for a good part of the year.
Andrew c. says
I love in West Virginia, not exactly easy coast but pretty close, and black flies aren’t an issue here. Not sure what the HH does for work but West Virginia isn’t a bad place to settle down!
Veronica Vatter says
In sw PA, no black flies
Christy says
None in southeast PA either.
Ashley says
I’m not on the East Coast, but I’m curious- what are black flies? Are those like regular flies, or the ones that are bigger? Or deer (horse?) flies? So many flies….. I’m in Wisconsin and we have ones that bite, but they don’t draw blood or anything…
Ashley says
Oh, and I know the East Coast and Wisconsin are not the same, but they have similar winters. On that note, please tell your husband that here in WI it is 28 degrees at this moment and I just saw someone shoveling their driveway in a tshirt, and this morning a guy at the mall was wearing shorts. HH would survive a cold winter in a coat ;p
Lorrie says
I live in upstate NY near Niagara Falls and we never really have an issue with black flies. We get mosquito’s but there are bug sprays for that.
Margery says
We are from the same area in fact the family still lives in Niagara Falls, we just moved from rural NY to the Midwest and while in NY never had an issue with flies, nats yep, mosquito’s for sure. You can go months in the winter never seeing the sun, but it makes summer all that more great. We used to say we had winter from October to April, April to June was mud season, June-August summer, and September to October Fall. This year from what i have been hearing about NY winter hasn’t really showed up.
Earlene says
I live in Wisconsin and we have ticks/deer flies, those bite and will take a chunk of you! Ticks are terrible! Why oh why did God creat ticks, that’s my BIG question!!!
Carrie says
I’m in NC and the only flies that bother me are the ones that show up at cookouts (they are black but not sure if they are the same biting black flies) and fruit flies. They are a nuisance but I’ve never been bitten by them. I agree that it is nice to be in the mountains in two hours and at the beach in 4. 🙂
jfred says
Only places I’ve heard of black flies are northern midwest and Canada. I’ve lived in IL, VA, NC, and AL, and have never dealt with black flies. Mosquitos, palmetto bugs (what southerners call the HUGE roaches, lol), sugar ants (ick!), and fire ants….but not black flies.
Jennifer Jo says
So THAT’S why my arm is missing. It’s those darn flies…
Lisa L says
I lived in Maine for 17 years. Black flies are no fun. The problem is they are so tiny you never see them coming. They are worse in the woods. Yes, they are a nuisance, but no place is nuisance free. And black flies are no reason not to move east. I love the Northeast and wouldn’t live anywhere else.
karen says
I think we call them ‘May flies’ here in Va. Only found in very rural areas though, and only May thru June. Housefly….yes. Never heard of them taking a chunk of skin? I think he is being a little dramatic.
Melinda says
Didn’t you already buy a house on the East Coast though? Flies are a bit moot now, aren’t they?
I live in VA, and the mosquitoes bother me the most. Last year was mild. Hopefully we get a cold snap for a bit to kill everything off.
coleen says
I’m in SE Pennsylvania….no black flies!
PeggyK says
The flies are the pits – and no he is not whining! Imagine not being able to go outside because of the flies – and those suckers bite and draw blood. And if you are allergic to bug sprays you are doomed – doomed I tell you!! I know you want to move to the East Coast – there are problems with each area of the country. Move to the East Coast and adapt to the changes. Perhaps he doesn’t want to move because of his job? I lived all over the country East Coast to Okla City to Denver to LA to Houston to multiple cities on the East Coast) and they all have insect issues.
And a bit of Colonial Trivia: windfall is the trees that fell that did not have to get sent back to England by the colonists. All wood cut down had to be sent back to England but that which came down by the wind (windfall) was able to be used. Enjoy the new year! and looking t whatever your next adventure is!
Cass says
Where are you planning to live/move to? I live near Albany, NY and I have never seen a “black fly” here. Now go north? Plattsburgh? The flies are terrible FOR ONE MONTH a year. There is a black fly “season”….you avoid going out during it….just like you don’t go out if the snow is too bad or the heat too hot. And you are right…there is a spray that keeps you from getting bit. He is whining…what annoys you about where you currently live? I’m sure the black flies are not any worse than what you are currently dealing with. (How about North Carolina? I had an alligator keep me from getting to my car in NC. I bet their bite is much worse than a black fly)
Lynn says
I have lived in central Virginia for almost twenty years and have never had any problem with black flies.
Lisa Scott says
Same here Lynn. I’m in Southwest Virginia and I have never heard of “Black Flies”. Of course, we are very close to Virginia Tech that have released some orange lady bugs a few years back to help farmers, and they have infiltrated my house a time or two. Or the dreaded stink bug they released to eat the orange lady bugs they let go a few years before. But other than that. No, real bug problems that would keep you from moving here. Its a beautiful place with all 4 seasons. Well, with the exception of this year when we could go swimming on Christmas day because it was 75 degrees!!
Lana says
Many of our friends here in SC heat with wood and it is a ton of work to keep the stove supplied. It means putting up split wood in the summer so that you have it cured for winter use. And then there is the hauling in of the wood and stoking the stove and all of there houses seem sooty to me. Ugh!
KAte says
If the house is sooty then their stove is not venting properly. My parents have been using wood heat primarily for the last 30 years with zero soot issues.
Yes, making sure you have enough wood split and stacked is important, but tou can spread the work out over time as long as you plan ahead. Running out of wood in the winter can be pretty miserable.
Lisa-Marie says
Mavis,I live in Maine and I have the ocean in front of my house,and woods to the back. Black flies are a problem if you live in an area that has lots of water,woods and no wind. When the wind blows they stay away. The first year my hubby came to Maine he was chewed on by black flies and developed a fever from all the bites. After that first time he never had that again because he learned to not go out without some protection such as long sleeves or by hanging clip on repellent on his back pocket and one on his cap. I’m severely allergic to bites from any bug bite or sting due to a condition that I suffer from,and I am rarely bothered by black flies. They only are around for a short time,but Mosquitos are everywhere even where you now live,so your DH is just being a guy(an overgrown boy). You will love the east coast! We have five seasons: winter,autumn,mud season,spring,summer. It’s a beautiful place to live! Better than any where I’ve ever lived except for Norway. Nothing beats that!! I’ve been to Washington as I have relatives living there. It’s not too shabby a place,but it doesn’t beat the old Maine! Ayuh! It’s a wicked good place to live, even with the black fly visits. Having lobstah dinners and lots o’ good fresh vegetables and othah good things heya makes it right darlin’ livin’ here Downeast!
Erin says
I’m on the coastal north shore in MA and we don’t seem to have a bad back fly problem. We do get the gnats early season in May which are annoying and the green heads (slightly viscous) late summer till the first full moon of August. Typical mosquitos but nothing takes chuncks out maybe a few welts from the greenies but definitely not bad.
sclindah says
I am in South Carolina and the bane of my existence (at least for gardening) is not the flies but the fire ants! Ouch! During the summer my arms and sometimes legs get bit no matter what I do and it takes weeks for them to heal . I think now in December I’m down to just three more bites to get healed up! (We’ve been mulching this fall!) Still, I love it here in Upstate SC. . . beautiful, green, not too cold, close to mountains and beaches. I’m surprised he hasn’t started complaining about humidity!
EDW says
I live in Maryland. We have flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Put on some bug spray and “Bob’s your uncle,” you’re good to go.
Move to Maryland and be my neighbor! I’m always telling my husband “Mavis says …” He thinks I’m nuts.
The East Coast rocks! We have all this history and seasons and stuff. Well, we used to have seasons. It was 71 degrees here on Xmas and so humid that I put on my air conditioning. I don’t even turn my air conditioning on in the summer! It’s crazy! We’ll probably have a blizzard next week – just part of the fun of living here.
joye says
Central NH here, squam lake, the black flies are rough, but they don’t last……it’s awesome here regardless!!
DebbieB says
I’m in central Maryland and no problem with black flies. Closer to the water around the Chesapeake Bay there is some mosquito problems in the summer. We used to have a boat and were on the water a lot but the mosquitoes really didn’t bother me. I have a friend who had a house built near Gettysburg PA in a new development on what used to be farmland and had a horse farm behind her and she said the flies were unbearable. I would assume flies are going to be worse in rural areas around farm animals, not so much in the ‘burbs where I live. Our only problem is stinkbugs!
Tiffany F says
Nope, no black flies here in VA. At least not ones that take a chunk out of you. I’ve lived here all of my 40…+ years. 🙂
J says
I live in the NH seacoast and I agree that while the black flies can be bad, they only last a week or two. What really sucks are ticks. We have to do daily tick checks on ourselves and our dog from March – November. Perhaps if we lived in the suburbs it wouldn’t be so bad, but if you have land and work it you are bound to have the same issue. God I hate those things.
Daddio7 says
I’m in north Florida. Mosquitoes are a problem from mid March to November. Yellow flies from May to August. Some summers green head and dog flies are bad. The green head flies will leaving you bleeding. Tiny deer ticks are a problem all summer and we have kissing bugs. It’s awful, stay away.
The vacation areas are well drained and have few bugs and the winter months are pest free everywhere. Right now I have the windows open and the ceiling fan running. Joking aside we love visitors, come enjoy yourselves, spend money, and go home.
Deborah from FL says
I haven’t had a problem with black flies here in central Florida. Just the occasional gator. (HA! Tell hubby to be glad he doesn’t have THOSE around.) 🙂
Lisa says
Can you store extra milk in a freezer? I noticed you had a couple gallons of milk with your frozen items and was curious.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! I wrote about it here. –>
Julia says
I freeze milk all the time. You need to pour some out so the remaining milk has room to expand when it freezes.
Lisa Millar says
Great post – made me laugh!
Get the wood heater!!! Yes its more work but the quality of the heat and the cosiness of it all is totally worth it. Even better if you can source the wood free. We buy from a friend but supplement with any free stuff we can come across.
It makes the house a bit dustier I think, but not sooty. I totally love it.
I think I might be immune to flies – just used to them here! 🙂
And your coat is beautiful!
erin says
The best bug repellent is bug soother, it’s made in iowa. We have plenty of mosquitoes as we live next to the river and this is the best stuff ever. Not greasy like off and smells good.
Heather says
I agree with the comments of other new englanders – here in VT black flies are not a concern in comparison to ticks. Don’t tell the hh about those or he’ll never agree to a move! You’ve got the house and now the coat, what are you waiting for? Time to move!
Dawn says
No black flies here in the mountains of North Carolina.
Blessings, Dawn
Sharon says
No black flies here in SE Pa, but would be happy to offer all the stink bugs you could ever want ….
Jean says
Hi Mavis. I have lived in CT all my life and I have to say, I make sure I have bug repellent and a fly swatter on hand. The gnats in spring are annoying, but ease up by the end of spring. Then the mosquitoes and flies come and make their unwelcome appearance just in time for summer cookouts. All in all it is not that bad. In the winter you will really enjoy your new coat. Well maybe not this year so far.LOL. It was 70 degrees here on Christmas eve day. Let your husband know that he will love the east coast no matter what state it is. There is nothing like New England though. I too have been cleaning out the house. Though, I wish my pantry could stay looking like yours. With my husband and two teenagers in there looking for stuff…….enough said on that one. LOL. Come live in CT and I can meet you at Mystic Pizza for for lunch one day. :). What ever you decide, you will be happy. You seem to be a person that can find happiness and contentment where ever you are. Keep us smiling and laughing each day.
Maritza says
Two cents from South Jersey here, We have the horse flies their bite is ptetty bad but they only seem to bother you when you’re around water: lake, beach forget it your done lol. Our weather has been really nice this winter so far last week we were in the 70’s I had the jeat off and the windows open it was crazy. But I love the wood stove heaters we dont have one in our house currently but i grew up with one and we are looking for a new place currently and I want one so bad. So well see anywho tjats my two cents.
Melanie says
I live in Quebec, Canada, and although we have black flies, they are not as ferocious as you describe them.
Cheryl says
I live in Western PA and no black flies here. My dh has family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and they get black flies very bad he said. Cheryl
sandra says
Your coat is gorgeous. It looks like one I had years ago and I’ve been looking for another one for a long time. Is it down? If so what brand is it?
Your father picked well for you.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes it is down and it came from LL Bean. Here is the link http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42359?page=ultrawarm-coat-long&feat=hprrtop
elizabeth says
I’ve been looking at that llbean coat. I wear jackets in the house most of the year here in MT.
Do you think that coat would fit a 5’11” skinny person with wide shoulders and super long arms?