Monday, March 31, 2008

The Fall























It was bound to happen. I've always known--klutz that I am--that sooner or later I'd take a spill on one of the steep trails I love to hike. Today was the day. I took a notion to climb a rock ledge, even though it was raining and the rock was slippery. Why? Because it was there. And because I'm an idiot. Of course I lost my footing and went bouncing down the side of the rock. It seriously knocked the wind out of me, but there were no major injuries and I hobbled down off the ridge without too much trouble. Both legs are banged up and my left wrist is not looking forward to violin practice, but I think I'll recover. Shorts season doesn't seem so appealing now, but then again, they've never been my best fashion friend. One of my legs was already permanently marred from the time I was climbing around our unlit attic in the middle of the night, looking for a roof leak, and stepped through the ceiling. Honestly, I don't why they let me wander through life unsupervised.

I suppose it's possible I psyched myself into hitting the ground today, since that's where my attention has been lately. My resolution for this summer's walks is to pay more attention to the wide world of crawly things. Most insects aren't out yet, but we've had a lot of rain and there are worms everywhere. I've seen some enormous ones this week. None of them were getting friendly like the pair below, but I just thought I'd share the pic with you, seeing as how one of this blog's official interests is "love in all its guises," and I already gave a whole post to the snails. I wouldn't want to be accused of discrimination.


















The Fall of the Damned, Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1620. Image from Web Gallery of Art.

Mating earthworms photo from Wikipedia.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

So earthworms have multiple, um, orifices, in addition to all those hearts?

Sure hope you're not too sore tomorrow.

Perfumeshrine said...

Oh no!! I am so sorry for your accident. Falls are nasty (know it from my mother who did it all her life...)
I do hope you will recover soon and nothing major was traumatised (except your pride, maybe)
Get better soon!

Mary said...

Gosh, that sucks, M. Hope everything is intact. I think that sometimes the Goddess takes a perverse pleasure in the occasional bitch-slap. I've taken my share. ;)

BitterGrace said...

Actually, Margaret, I think most worms are hermaphrodites, so it's not a matter of multiple orifices. I think what you're seeing there is a sort of ultimate 69.

Thanks for the kind concern, everybody. Actually, I am in better shape today than I expected--just a little bruising and the occasional twinge. I went walking this morning, but managed to avoid doing anything completely moronic.

chayaruchama said...

Heal up soon, hon.

Despite grace in dance, I can manage to turn ankles in perfectly flat terrain in flat shoes....

Embarrassing- not to mention, it really cramps our style.

I'm SO relieved that you didn't fall out of a tree !

Anonymous said...

Ouch M. I'm always bruised from pratfalls. I hope yours heal promptly!

BitterGrace said...

Thanks, Leo and Chaya. I seem to be on the mend. Chaya, how did you know I sometimes climb trees? I know it's stupid, but I just can't help myself.