My hide has been toughened.

Ticks are a diversion at times. Unpleasant on occasion, but there is sometimes pleasure in removing and squashin' a big fat one.

The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)

member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?