Wednesday, September 30, 2020

The Up Side of Falling Backward

Autumn’s cooler weather lures me outside like no other time of year, especially with the lower risk of insect bites. I decided to take advantage after my husband had gone to bed the other evening. Taking along my iPod speaker, I sat chilling to music and playing digital solitaire.

Unbeknownst to me, my patio seat’s legs shifted to the edge as I ‘chair danced’. In one breathless moment I went from relaxing upright to staring at the branches of my crabapple tree overhead. Thank heaven nobody witnessed it. Of this I’m quite sure, as no laughter rang out along the windswept street.

It took me several moments to compose myself before crawling off my overturned chair lying atop our coiled garden hose. That probably cushioned my landing somewhat. While my upper arms and hip are a bit sore, the spots aren’t showing bruises. What a blessing I didn’t hit my head on the brick wall, faucet, or even lose my eyeglasses. They did fly off the top of my head, but with a short flashlight search those spectacles turned up.

Best of all, so did a delightful animal surprise. At first I thought a large earthworm crawled onto an unused plastic chair tucked near the weeping crabapple’s tree trunk. But how? Then I noticed tiny legs. Knowing Ohio has salamanders and seeing one are two very different things. Alas, I was too shocked to grab my iPod Touch for a photo. The one below is courtesy of the Wildherps website.



This little guy might be a different species, though the description fits here. I think the tiny creature was stunned as me at our introduction.

Can you believe there is an aquatic species known as the Eastern Hellbender? Have you ever seen a wild salamander?

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14 comments:

  1. Yikes. I'm glad you're not hurt. I hate falling down and I hate it when I hurt myself.

    That's one big critter.

    Have a fabulous day, Darla. Big hug. ♥

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  2. Well, now the whole world knows that you fell off of your patio!
    Then again, over two years ago, I tripped while out walking (and texting...oops!), and tripped over uneven concrete. Thought I'd hurt my knee, my chin had a scrape, and my eyeglasses were cattywampus! My left hand was sore too, but that seems minor. Once I'd managed to catch my breath again...and stand up...I slowly made my way back home. Well, I'd broken two fingers in two places, but my chin, knee, and noggin were fine! I was lucky that it was my left hand, since I'm right-handed, and I could still work during the healing process. Only missed two days of work!
    Needless to say, but we are glad you didn't knock yourself out on the tree trunk...or smash a salamander.

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    1. Oh, that sounds awful! I've never broken a bone, I'm happy to say, though I bashed my knees very badly on vacation one year, which put a real damper on the trip.

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  3. Yikes. Falls are not fun. It's been a year since I had that bad one, so I know how painful they can be. Glad you're not too banged up.

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    1. Has it been a year already? Wow. Time sure flies. :) I was very lucky. Take care!

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  4. We have Skinks in TN., a type of lizard. I have not seen a salamanders in forever. And no I did not know about the Hellbender. Sounds like a bad sort of a dude!! haha...sorry you fell but glad nothing was hurt and the glasses were thrown clear.

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  5. Lots of salamanders in Massachusetts. I am glad you didn't hit your head. XO

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    1. Me, too. :) And I'd like to visit Mass one of these years.

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  6. Glad that neither you or the salamander were seriously hurt !

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