Mishap
Here we are at the end of another weekend. I seem to have survived pretty well. Other than falling down the back steps.

I had shampooed the carpets a few days ago. We have a pecan tree next to the deck out back. There is a treacherous oily sap that it secrets, which lands on the wooden decking, making it hazardous if wet.  It just so happens we had an all night drizzle of rain. I needed to go out in this light drizzle Saturday morning, and put up some yard tools I had noticed laying out in the rain.

Now, back to where I had shampooed the carpets. The cleaner used leaves a very slippery coating on the rubber soles, it dries, but is reactivated if moisture contacts it. If you step from carpet to vinyl in a hurry while doing the carpets, you’d best be holding onto something stationary. I go out carefully into the drizzle.

It has not been raining hard enough to wash away the pecan oil that has fallen. Making a mental note of that I start for the stairs. I gingerly placed my foot on the top stair and started with the other foot. The first step may as well have been a frozen pond. As soon as I put my weight on that foot, and lifted the other foot, it was over.

There are four steps, I managed to hit 3 of the 4. My left buttock bounced/impacted with each one, as if I were re-enacting a three stooges scene. I have been so sore, that I wanted to cry. Amazingly though, most of the stiffness and pain is gone. Must be my alien DNA, that helped repair my 65 year old bod so fast. No broken hip.

Pending Calamity
While sitting here at my desk, I noticed a movement just beyond the monitor in front of me. Sitting right on the far edge of the desk, was a black Jumping Spider. I don’t do big spiders, especially if I can’t have the advantage.

This one was not fully grown, and will not reach that stage if I see it again first. It was about 1/2 inch long and 1/8 to 1/4 inch wide. He was however, sitting there doing his Spider hump. Moving up and down on his legs. He was probably trying to calculate his jump towards me, but knew he would not clear the bottom of the monitor and be successful. I moved, and he moved over the edge of the desk, out of sight, great…

I grabbed some bug spray for ants and used half a can on the back of the desk between the wall and desk, along the desk, and under the desk. If he’s still here, he’s not happy. Neither will I be, if I look down, and he is on my leg, or in my pants.

No doubt the encounter will require medical attention, after I attempt to exit the office chair backwards screaming. Many of you probably recall my manly encounter with the Cicada earlier this year.

I hope your weekend finishes on a positive note. I’m going to the store for some Spider spray, and bubble wrap for my butt on my next trip outside.

Comments always welcome,