photo #1716589

Don't jump to conclusions, it's not what you think. It very well COULD'VE been, but I'm mellowing out in my old age. Actually, this started over 30 years ago. My wife and I had stopped by my parent's house after Christmas shopping, but they weren't home. I'd been WAITING for this occasion. My Dad HATED blinker lights outside. He'd done his usual "embarrass the neighborhood" decorations, and it was beautiful. After we left that night, the center set of lights across the front were blinking, thanks to my provided bulb. We drove home and were safely tucked into bed at 11:30pm. when THE phone call came from my Dad, COMMANDING me to get my butt over there. I got dressed, and went over. He was hot as a firecracker ! I went straight to the culprit and changed it back, and everything was back to normal. Or so I thought. Yes, they'd attended a Christmas party, and were horrified when they got home. How was I supposed to know the neighborhood decorations committee was doing their judging that night? I escaped with my life and went home. Their NEIGHBORS had won the contest. You'd think I'd learn, but nooooo. The memory flashed into my mind this year, and after my son did the hanging of the lights outside, he had a few problems on and off, especially when it rained. They were working fine now, and after the rain Sunday, I got the Grinch on me. Yesterday, I snuck out the back door complete with a blinker bulb, and struck. Last night, all the squirrels were chasing each other around again, and George decided to cross using one wire from the fence line to the forsythia bush when the bulb finally heated up enough to blink. You DO know he's not as agile as he used to be, right? You DO know he's kinda cocky, right? He just kept running, missed the wire in the new darkness, and ended up on his head in the forsythia bush unconscious after knocking himself out on the trunk. My son started troubleshooting the lights, and eventually found the blinker after awhile, after utilizing some very colorful language. Then, after he realized he'd been had, he just shut up. I swear, that boy scares me when he shuts up. That only means the plot of a very intricate payback is being hatched, and he's learned his lessons from ME and takes his time. Anyway, this morning, as I was drinking my morning coffee, all the squirrels were running around frantically, and Throckmorton came over and asked if I'd seen George. As he was sitting up in front of me, we heard a muffled squeak. We headed for the forsythia bush when we heard it again. I looked down into the bush, and saw George very properly stuck upside down and wedged in really good. He was only babbling, so I didn't know how bad he was hurt. Yes, I couldn't help but laugh when I slowly extricated him from his "tomb". He was a wreck, and I took him into the shop and started watering him and cleaning him up. He was a mess. Knowing he was upside down for awhile, I decided to take him to the Vet. The Vet checked him out, and bandaged him after the x-rays only showed a minor concussion, bruised ribs, and a twisted foot. I brought him home and put him in a cage to keep him from being attacked by the dogs. Now, he's trying to convince me to give him applejack via eyedropper for his "ailments", so he's doing better. Ain't gonna happen though. I'm trying to figure out how to get that rodent to pay me back for the $550.00 vet bill ! Yes, there IS a moral to this story. Do NOT play with blinker bulbs this time of year. It NEVER works out! EVER !