I have a sore paw. Comes of making dinner while thinking of other things, cooking rice, heating butter, chopping up a pepper to saute—uh oh. I very nearly cut off the tip of my left index finger with a serrated knife. That wouldn’t be cutting so much as savaging, eh? Anyway, it hurt very much and I had an awful time getting it cleaned and salved and bandaged and then I had to rush off to a Planning Commission meeting.
Driving over there hurt. Trying to take notes hurt. The only thing that didn’t hurt was holding it gently against my chest like a wounded bird, whispering to it that everything would be all right. Reinforced my reputation for eccentricity, I can tell you that.
OK, all of that was a blatant plea for sympathy. Also an explanation for why there isn’t much around here that I can cobble together into a post. But there are a couple little things.
First of all, there are chipmunks in the yard. I’m glad of it, because after my neighbors Don and Audrey Gould moved, I was a little worried about the tiny critters. Don and Audrey had a whole chipmunk colony on their property. They didn’t name them or anything, you understand–they just fed them sunflower seeds and watched their antics and had a wonderful time.
I do not feed the chipmunks. It is all I can do to feed the Disreputable Duo, Miss Puss, and myself. The chipmunks must fend for themselves. But I am very glad that they seem to be managing.
I’m sure they miss the Goulds. One spring Audrey and I were having a cup of coffee when Don came in. He drank some coffee, and he mentioned that he’d seen some baby chipmunks. What? Well, yes, he said. He was out doing yardwork when one of the chipmunks started chattering at him. He tried to explain to the chipmunk that he had work to do, but the chipmunk wasn’t having a bit of it. Don must drop what he was doing and come with the chipmunk. OK. Off they went. When they got to the big stump in the yard, the chipmunk flitted beneath it. Don waited. Sure enough, pretty soon out came the chipmunk with the spring’s crop of little chipmunks in tow. The chipmunk made introductions, Don was duly impressed–his exact words were that the baby chipmunks were the cutest things he’d ever seen–and the little chipmunks were awed. That was the story. Audrey glared at him. You didn’t call me?!?
Off she and I went to pay a call on the chipmunks. We waited by the big stump, being quiet and polite. Busy chipmunks came and went. Pretty soon, out came the babies. They were, if not the very cutest things I have ever seen, pretty darned cute. It was the only time I ever saw baby chipmunks. Having the Goulds for neighbors was a great blessing in my life. How many people do you meet in this life who have that kind of cred with the chipmunk community?
Second, it was a fine morning for a walk, and Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I enjoyed it. These spring days are a lovely time for us. The beach is pleasant and uncrowded. It won’t be this way again until fall. Best enjoy it while we can.
Torch Lake Views 
uphilldowndale
April 15, 2010
Oh poor you, I prescribe total rest relaxation and a good book. As for ‘Reinforced my reputation for eccentricity’ you go gal, keep up the good work
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Thank you, Mrs. Uhdd. I believe I should follow your advice. Er, right after getting that tax return in the mail.
Carsten
April 15, 2010
I’m sorry for your wound. Although it’s good to see the little word ‘nearly’. If it could be you to comfort, so I think the pain only lasts a few days.
Thanks for the chipmunk story. They must have been very special, the Goulds. I understand why you miss them.
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Thank you, Carsten. I’m glad you liked the chipmunk story. Don told it much better than I, but he’s a gifted oral historian. One day I should get hold of some recording equipment and get him to talk into it.
giiid
April 15, 2010
Oh gerry, you certainly have my sympathy! I know all about these mysterious pots and pans, that some days warm themselfs up in no time, and burn whatever is inside them. They´re probably just trying to get some attention from their owner, who are deeply involved in a little computerwork or inner discussion. Now be careful and keep this fnger away from anything that could stop it from a fast recovery. These accidents are so irritating, but sometimes they make other things (from the buttom of the list)more attractive to do. God bedring!
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Thank you, Birgitte. I knew I could count on you for sympathy. I feel much better already. Almost well enough to finish my tax return and get it in the mail–speaking of things that have been at the bottom of the list. And I’ve learned some more Danish! If this keeps up I’ll be able to wander around Copenhagen extending my reputation for eccentricity internationally.
Cindy Lou
April 15, 2010
Awww….take care of that paw, Gerry! The picture I get in my head of you sitting on your meeting and tenderly whispering to your sore hand – while not a good thing, did make me smile. And the picture of your wandering around Copenhagen made me chuckle out loud! 🙂
PS – Went to sleep last night with the first chorus of peepers singing in my ears….life is good!
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Thank you Cindy Lou – glad the peepers are singing there!
Fee
April 15, 2010
Ooooh, that sounds sore. Have a virtual “kiss it better”. Says the veteran of many a self-inflicted kitchen boo-boo.
Have my sympathies for the tax return as well. Thank goodness I don’t have to do that every year (twice was more than enough). I work in finance and could barely understand the blinking thing.
If there’s one organisation I don’t want to be on the wrong side of, it’s the (rather grandly named) Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs. Their forms make my head birl (that’s today’s Scots word, it means spin!).
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Thank you, Fee. I am just now making copies of all the completed forms that I must send to the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Michigan minions. I have a headache. The good part is that it takes my mind off the sore paw. And yes, my head is birling.
Wendi Wooten
April 15, 2010
So sorry about your finger Gerry! Hope it is feeling a little better now. Watch the chipmunks and keep your finger up. Both can be healing 🙂
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Thank you, Wendi–Miss Puss is watching the chipmunks for me while I make copies of my infernal tax returns. Why do I wait until the last minute every year??? The members of the Planning Commission were at pains to discern exactly which finger was extended in their direction. Many funny remarks at my expense.
p.j. grath
April 15, 2010
Do you ever have a day off, Gerry? Play hooky? (Is that really how that word is spelled?) This time of year is exciting but can also tempt us to excesses of work. I’m recommending a slow-down. Maybe I’m calling for a slow-down. Anyone else?
Gerry
April 15, 2010
No, I never have a day off. On the other hand, I have many blocks of time off-leash, and I relish every moment of those. I do not work myself to death. Lots of people think I am purely lazy. They are right.
Anna Surface
April 15, 2010
Oh dear, Gerry, you have my sympathies for the nearly chopped off finger tip! Goodness, that must have hurt and throbbed. I hope it is on the mend and feeling better. I love the chipmunk story and photo. I love chipmunks and haven’t seen one since I was a kid vacationing in Colorado. When there and out on a trail, I would sit still and the chipmunks would come. I fed them cookies! LOL
And LOL your reply to Wendi! “discern exactly which finger was extended in their direction.” Hee-hee…
Take care!
Gerry
April 15, 2010
Ha! Thank you Anna – you have captured the spirit of the thing perfectly. The Planning Commission members, who have been at the business end of my pen at least their share of the time, had a wonderful time.
Kathy
April 15, 2010
Gerry, thinking sadly of your paw tonight. Hard to continue on to meetings when we’re feeling blue. Hope the Healing Spirit has blessed you today…
Gerry
April 15, 2010
My paw appreciates the sentiments, ma’am. We haven’t really been blue – more shrieking violet, if you know what I mean. Ah-OO-gah! Ah-OO-gah! Emergency! Captain to the brig!
But indeed today was a wonderful day, and I am glad of it. Amidst the nettles life keeps throwing me little bouquets of wildflowers.
Katherine
April 15, 2010
And I know you got those tax returns in because I saw you. Take care of your finger and the chippies are v e r y cute
Gerry
April 15, 2010
I did, I did! And I have photographic proof–Rick himself holding my freshly postmarked returns! With a witness at hand! Fie on the IRS anyway.
I am taking tender care of my finger, I assure you. I’m glad you liked the chipmunks. I like them too.
La Mirada Bob
April 16, 2010
Today was gray squirrel day here and Bonnie claims it is the only one she has ever seen in fifty plus years in SoCal.
I was appointed the day’s peanut man and on our walk tonight Amore & I did not see any peanuts where I had carefully placed them.
By the way, as I recall. you have always loved little critters.
Gerry
April 16, 2010
I am amazed. Gray squirrels dominated our neighborhood in Detroit. I loved watching them skylarking around in the enormous old silver maple.
Yes, I have always loved little critters. Except reptiles. I’m still working on recovering from Gram’s implacable hatred of poor little garter snakes. And weasels. Weasels cannot be trusted. A weasel killed Bunny Lou.
Scott Thomas Photography
April 16, 2010
I don’t have any chipmunks where I live. I live in a small village. Squirrels, rabbits and skunks are residents in these parts. However, I enjoy visiting them and the Red Squirrels in the forests not to far away. We give each other passing waves and hellos. Marvelous creatures I would love to call neighbors.
I stay away from knives and most tools. I am not adept at using them. Just ask my family. 🙂 Hope your finger feels better today.
Gerry
April 16, 2010
Isn’t it good to have nearby woods to visit? Yes, thank you, my finger is feeling much better. Now we shall see how it heals. I, too, am widely known for being unreliable around sharp implements.
Reggie
April 16, 2010
Ouch, that must have hurt terribly! SERRATED knife?! Ooowwwwwww! I’m feeling your pain vicariously.
I hope your finger heals quickly and without leaving any serious scars, Gerry.
And don’t worry about being seen as an eccentric – secretly, everyone loves them, and even more secretly, most people actually want to be one!
I adored the chipmunk story, you told it excellently. They sound like a very entertaining bunch, and far nicer than the grey squirrels we have here.
Gerry
April 16, 2010
Thank you, Reggie, for both the compliment and the sympathy. I am positive that all the sympathy has made it all better much faster than it would have been otherwise. I can deal with a scar–it would match all the others–but I am a little worried about the possibility of infection. So far so good!
Gerry
April 16, 2010
Mercy! I thank you all for pouring sympathy on my boo-boo. It is doing much better and I expect it will be just fine. Now I’m going to stop whining about it.