Looking out my backdoor: Scorpion Alert!

When I moved to Mexico, one of the first things I learned was to check inside my shoes before inserting feet. Evidently that is a popular hiding place, nesting site, attack barricade for scorpions.

Next, I was told, never go barefoot. Not outside. Not inside. Thus, my night sandals live at bedside.

One thing I can tell you for sure, if you’ve never in your life seen a scorpion, when you first see one, you will know exactly what it is, no doubts. Same as when you first hear a rattlesnake. It must be knowledge imprinted in our genes.

When I bounced out of bed this morning, I slipped my feet into...