Seems that I have a bit of time on my hands. I have broken my ankle. I don't know how Sotomayor broke hers, but mine is courtesy of the wildlife we enjoy. We look up at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with Skyline Drive on one side, and the George Washington National Forest on the other side. There are deer, fox, bear ... owls, blue herons, vultures ... possum, turtles and groundhogs - or should I say grrrr-roundhogs.
A couple of months ago I decided my blueberry bushes just HAD to be planted despite the fact it had been raining on and off all day. Our faithful Keeshond, Cody Bear, kept me company and didn't seem to mind the rain. All of a sudden, I heard a commotion in the barn. I knew I had closed the door and that the gates were locked. I could also see most of the horses had taken shelter. I thought I better check it out. Cody was not one to be left behind, so he made sure I was not alone. As I slid the door open, there, pretty as you please, was one of the biggest groundhogs I ever saw. It must be ol' Woody. His hole is right under the barn door so I thought "Trying to raid the horse bins again, huh? You better get back in your hole before Cody sees you." A "No, thank you very much." was what I got. Woody came running toward me and failed to notice Cody lurking behind my right knee. It was chaos! Ever try to get out of the way of a spitting groundhog and red-eyed Keeshond while trying to keep your balance in the mud and muck? Doesn't work.
I heard the cracking of my ankle and down I went. There's nothing quite like an eye-level view of a life and death struggle. I rolled over in the mud and got up on all fours only to find that I had placed myself squarely between the two. Woody had his teeth bared and was gasping for air. Cody was stunned to see me down on the ground with him, and for a brief moment there was peace in the valley. I stole a look back at Woody and he seemed to know this was his chance to beat feet. He quietly slipped off into the underbrush.
Needless to say, the garden didn't get finished this spring and what I had put in is now drowning in waist high weeds. The newly planted orchard remains unmulched, and the grass and weeds are taking over my beautiful rows of apple and cherry trees. I hobble out to the deck and try not to look at all the work waiting for me. And occasionally I catch a glimpse of Woody down by the barn, no doubt looking for his favorite new human. I wonder how Sotomayor is making out?
A couple of months ago I decided my blueberry bushes just HAD to be planted despite the fact it had been raining on and off all day. Our faithful Keeshond, Cody Bear, kept me company and didn't seem to mind the rain. All of a sudden, I heard a commotion in the barn. I knew I had closed the door and that the gates were locked. I could also see most of the horses had taken shelter. I thought I better check it out. Cody was not one to be left behind, so he made sure I was not alone. As I slid the door open, there, pretty as you please, was one of the biggest groundhogs I ever saw. It must be ol' Woody. His hole is right under the barn door so I thought "Trying to raid the horse bins again, huh? You better get back in your hole before Cody sees you." A "No, thank you very much." was what I got. Woody came running toward me and failed to notice Cody lurking behind my right knee. It was chaos! Ever try to get out of the way of a spitting groundhog and red-eyed Keeshond while trying to keep your balance in the mud and muck? Doesn't work.
I heard the cracking of my ankle and down I went. There's nothing quite like an eye-level view of a life and death struggle. I rolled over in the mud and got up on all fours only to find that I had placed myself squarely between the two. Woody had his teeth bared and was gasping for air. Cody was stunned to see me down on the ground with him, and for a brief moment there was peace in the valley. I stole a look back at Woody and he seemed to know this was his chance to beat feet. He quietly slipped off into the underbrush.
Needless to say, the garden didn't get finished this spring and what I had put in is now drowning in waist high weeds. The newly planted orchard remains unmulched, and the grass and weeds are taking over my beautiful rows of apple and cherry trees. I hobble out to the deck and try not to look at all the work waiting for me. And occasionally I catch a glimpse of Woody down by the barn, no doubt looking for his favorite new human. I wonder how Sotomayor is making out?
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