Not that you probably care (nobody seems to but me), but I've been told that the itching and whelping from mosquito bites are an allergic reaction to their saliva. I don't know if it's true, but on that theory (and the fact that I react horribly to DEET), I tried an antihistamine, and found to my delight that both the itching and whelping vanished shortly afterward. The mosquitoes are thick and angry here, and my stock of cheap antihistamine tablets has kept me sane in the absence of the much hated-Off brand repellents.

Probably more of interest: got my notification that my preorder of The Red Tree shipped in the wee hours of the morning. Waiting on the preorder took all of my nonexistent discipline, since our Barnes & Noble broke street date, but I'm told the preorders help, so I toughed it out. Happily, my wait should be over soon.