Good to hear things are improving for you, Soapweed. There is another cowboy cartoonist/writer down in the Badlands who has been on that miserable track lately. Sure hope the 'season' is about over for the year. Even better would be if definite prevention and cure would be found.
I feared I had it early in August and was told they aren't allowed to test for it until the patient has been sick for two weeks. Some of the treatment may be antibiotics anyway, as that is what they gave me. Didn't help me, since I had a bleeding ulcer which caused upset in blood chemistry which in turn caused a mild heart attack. After a 'ground' ambulance ride and five days in Rapid City hospital, two stents, and a BIG package of prescriptions, all is improving except for return of any energy I may have had before the illness. Hasn't helped for the docs to tell me "you are not as young as you used to be".......something I had noticed, especially since I turned 70 a few years ago.
I can second the point that having a good family at home to pick up the slack is a major bonus of a family ranch.
Reading that Jody is not progressing well, I sure hope everyone else stays out of that 'sick pen' and keeps the injuries limited to hangnails!
mrj