03/14/2026
This morning’s Jekyll Island beach yoga class included extra guests… sand gnats. My grandparents and other locals used to call no-see-ums.
Back then, Avon Skin So Soft worked.
Last season, Olive oil sheen spray worked.
Apparently the sand gnats of 2026 have evolved, because nothing seems to be effective.
It does make you wonder…
We have self-driving cars, robots performing surgery, and artificial intelligence writing essays…
and yet somehow humanity still hasn’t figured out how to stop a sand gnat from biting us.
Some brave yogis powered through a good portion of class. Others made a strategic retreat indoors (completely understandable). I tried to keep the humor going during practice, but distraction happened, though I’m leaving with bites, welts, and a new appreciation for windy mornings!
Of course there is much greater suffering in the world than a few gnats… but they are certainly a tiny, tortuous distraction.
One day when I get to heaven I do plan to ask God… “the sunsets, the dolphins, the sea turtles… amazing. But what exactly was the purpose of sand gnats?”
Until then we’ll keep practicing yoga in this beautiful space… and hoping for a breeze.
IYKYK
