To Hayley - thank you

Hayley:
My apologies for sounding a bit flip in response to your answer. I'm irreverent and a bit nutty, as those on the MC forum know, but I'm not intentionally rude.

Remembering my own adage - don't ask the question if you don't want to know the answer - I knew those were parasites, but was sorta kinda maybe hoping not. I greatly appreciate your specific and informed answer!

Are the adult ones red too, just longer? There seem to be some bigger red pieces in there.

And I'm wondering, how does one know when one is clean? Does infestations exit in different time frames?

Remember when you were a kid and you got a bug on you and you'd wait patiently while someone brushed it off but then you'd say, "Get it off. Get it off! GET IT OFF! GETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!" This parasite thing feels like that - only sub OUT for OFF.

YOU, however, seem to have adjusted to the reality of it well, as you sound remarkably calm. I'm working on that!

thanks again - sincerely
blueskyz