Ever have one of those days where nothing is going right? Sure you have—we all have. But it's kind of scary when one is having serious doubts about the day and it's only 4:30 a.m. On the other hand, maybe it's okay because I've been trying for days to write a blarticle, started several times, saved those starts for maybe later, but now here I am, at least writing something. But if you want to read about quilting, you'd better just skip this one and come back next month.
Which brings me to another topic (I promise this will all be related eventually): I don't consider this column a blog. In fact, I don't even like blogs. I know people write them, I know people read them, I'm happy that they enjoy doing so, but I don't get it. A few years ago, someone told me I was too old to understand, a comment that still rankles. (I will tactfully avoid mentioning the fact that the last entry in that person's own blog was in March. Of 2010.) But maybe she was right because, as noted before, I just don't get it. I understand that a blog can be helpful, educational, even instructive, but as for the personal stuff: really, who cares?
That said, here comes the personal stuff, also the reason I'm having doubts about the day. It is 3:40 a.m. and I am sleeping unusually peacefully in my bed when I am woken by an odd noise. As I wake further, I realized it is the sound of some creature apparently running laps up and down the length of my deck, which extends across the width of the house. I wonder if it is a human creature and decide not, as the noise is not THUNK THUNK THUNK, but THUNKA THUNKA THUNKA—more than 2 feet. I wonder if it is the fox that I have seen there before. I wonder what the attraction is on my deck. I hope it will just go away and let me go back to sleep. But no, not only does it not go away, the thunka thunka gets louder and is eventually accompanied by a squeaking/squealing sound. Is there more than one of whatever it is? Are they fighting? Now I am definitely awake. It is a moonlit night, so I sneak into the living room where there is a better view and no curtains. Nothing. I sneak back into the bedroom and carefully pull back the edge of the drapes. Still nothing. I sneak back into the living room and wait. Two blobs walk into view on my deck railing where they stop, apparently to discuss their next move. I don't want these raccoons—for that is what they are—to get into the habit of coming by to chat every night, so I turn on the deck light and knock on the window. One raccoon runs to the deck steps and looks my way—good. The other just stares. I knock more forcefully and finally they both leave.
By now there is no way that I am going back to sleep. In addition, the cat, who was herself sleeping peacefully in another part of the house, is now acting as if I am the cause of this commotion, which has apparently terrified her (it doesn't take much). She wants no part of me, even though she eventually goes to the back window to see if there is anything out there. (Little chicken! Where was she when I needed backup?)
Since I am up I will try—again—to write the blarticle. No go. I do a few other computer things. The cat comes to lie nearby, a good sign. She stays about 20 minutes and leaves. I do more computer things. I hear the cat throwing up in the other room (5:30 a.m.) I think about the tile guys who are coming back today to install tile after having failed on the first 2 attempts, and about how that will mean that I won't have access to the computer. That's when I start to have the serious doubts about the rest of the day. I think about the deadlines that are coming up and wonder if I will get anything at all done today. I decide to write about that.
So voila, here is the blarticle, not about quilting, not even very interesting, but at least it's writing, and at least it's here. At the moment, that's good enough for me.
© 2011 Jane Hardy Miller
Comments
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Posted by cheri ucci on October 15th, 2011 at 10:36 a.m.Super change of pace for the blarticle. loved it. Hope to see you soon.
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Posted by Lidia Nobili on September 24th, 2011 at 10:15 a.m.Great writing, we (John and I) enjoyed your raccoon adventure!
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Posted by Denise Scalon on September 20th, 2011 at 8:17 p.m.Alexandre wanted to know about what I was laughing so hard. he loved! hugs When are you coming to visit us?