Some days, you simply are not on your game.
Your timing is off. The bee stings. The dog bites. The Universe conspires.
Comparatively, in a wider consideration, my day was like magic. I was not starving, or disease stricken. I was not the victim of a natural disaster, or caught in the midst of a war-torn country. I did not wreck a car, or fall off a cliff.
So all in all, I’d say things were looking pretty darn snappy, in the greater scheme of things.
On the other hand. It was the little things that knocked me off my stool.
Apparently, Raccoons are avid readers (see yesterday’s column). And they have some sort of sick, twisted, sense of humor attached. With that in mind. Today, we had an early-rising raccoon, who must have gotten on Facebook at 4:30 in the freaking morning. And as I let the dogs out at 5:00 a.m. for their morning relief, he… the raucous raccoon… laid in wait. Seemingly, he thought I was deserving of some sort of retribution, for my musings online. If nothing else, my dogs would pay.
On the deck.
There was a heavy object thrust into the patio door, followed by spattered blood, growling, snarling and drama. There was me, tackling a 13 year old Frances while trying not to get bit by angry raccoon. Then there was me, tackling the smaller, more agile Ollie…. STILL avoiding a raccoon bite.
Then there was the raccoon…. hanging for dear life off the side of our deck… craggy rocks below. When I returned to the scene, that raccoon was gone. The only remnants of the conflict, was the large upended wooden totem, … the heavy object which had been thrust into the glass door. Heaven only knows where that raccoon went. This one is the smartest of the bunch. Completely avoiding the live traps. Completely avoiding entrance to the pristine Rolling Rocks Raccoon Ranch.
That was all before 5:15 a.m.
The day continued, with pinching a nerve in my leg while working out, a visit to the chiropractor, and a trip to the orthodontist for a new retainer. The dentist told me he would have put my braces on differently when they were done the first time around. … without really jones-ing the original orthodontist. But I got it. I’m quick like that.
Truthfully, I say all of this for entertainment purposes only. Little hiccups are nothing more than little hiccups. These were just tiny glitches, only worth mentioning because I am trying to avoid writing about politics.
I had nothing but good blessings today. I got to spend some time with people I love. And that is the best part of any day, I think. Well, then there are the eggs and oatmeal for breakfast.
And. All of this wrapped up by watching an awesome little guy play baseball, and great conversations as we watched. Those t-shirts say “Life Is Good”…. and it truly is… when you look at it that way.
So I am completely grateful for my day. It was filled with good fortune and wonderful new experiences. And for that I am glad… even if the raccoon made a mockery of me.
Man is but a reed, the weakest in nature, but he is a thinking reed.
— Blaise Pascal
I saw old autumn in the misty morn Stand shadowless like silence, listening To silence.
— Thomas Hood
In every society where property exists there will ever be a struggle between rich and poor. Mixed in one assembly, equal laws can never be expected; they will either be made by the member to plunder the few who are rich, or by the influence to fleece the many who are poor.
— John Adams