Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Trees (12/05/05)
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TITLE: Trees Are Out To Get Me | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Roppolo
12/07/05 -
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The trees on my mother’s ranch have aided in several of my unfortunate incidents on horseback. As a child, when I was learning to ride, low-hanging tree limbs were a beacon of hope for my fat cranky pony. Like a torpedo locked in on a target, the pony, despite my frantic tugs on the reins, zoomed underneath the limbs, scraping me off the saddle. To add insult to injury, rather than running off, the pony turned, yawned in my face, and started grazing on the lush green grass beneath the tree.
When I was a teen, and an advanced horseman, my reins broke while I was out for a ride on my flashy paint stallion. Flicker was usually a very gentle soul, but sensing the sudden freedom on his mouth, he took full advantage of it. With a snort, he whipped around and raced for home; I could do nothing but hang onto his mane and pray. My heart-stopping ride was short lived when Flicker raced too close to the trunk of a tree; my knee got caught behind the trunk, and I was scraped off.
My knee throbbed, but I thought my injuries were minor until I tried to stand. I tried to rise from the ground, but collapsed in a heap; a sharp pain engulfed my whole leg, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Horrified, I saw the kneecap was dislocated. I was thankful when it popped back into place. I used the tree as an aid to stand up. If I had an ax right now, you’d be gone, I thought, ungrateful of the support it provided. There was no sign of my horse, so I slowly limped home.
Given my track record with trees, I should have known better then to put up the Christmas tree by myself last month. Don’t be a fool.. Wait until you have help, a quiet little voice whispered inside my head. I dismissed the voice in my head and instead drug the huge Christmas box out of storage.
I should have realized that things were not going to go well when I dropped the heavy box on my bare feet.
My artificial tree is a monster; it stands over 8.5 feet. I don't decorate until after Thanksgiving, but Mom was here, and I wanted her to see my beautiful tree. Everything went smoothly until it was time to decorate the top. Though the hour was late, I was determined to surprise my family with a stunning tree when they awoke the next morning.
The tree was next to the loveseat, and I couldn't find a way to decorate the top half of the left side of the tree. My son, Seth had been watching me decorate and fell asleep on the loveseat . I stared at the small sofa speculatively. Hmm. The sofa has nice broad arms, and it is right by the tree. . .
Against my better judgment, I climbed onto the arm of the sofa and began decorating the the tree. True to form, I lost my balance and fell into the tree. Seth awoke with a start. "Is anything broken?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Oh . . . I-I meant the ornaments." He yawned loudly, rolled over, and went back to sleep. So nice to be thought about, I thought wryly. Luckily, the tree was not damaged and in a short time I finished.
The next morning I beamed with pride as my family fussed over my efforts. Not one of them said anything about the ruckus the night before. I couldn't stand it. "Did you hear anything last night," I asked Mom. "Anything suspicious?"
"Well, I heard someone fall."
"Yeah. It was me falling into the tree. Why didn't you come see?"
Mama patted my back. "Honey, you've had so many accidents, I assumed you would be okay."
I've had many accidents, taken many risks; some involving trees, some not. But life is about living, about taking reasonable risks. Even as I write this, I contemplate what my next risk will be; my guardian angel, on the other hand, is begging to be re-assigned.
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Good stuff.
Oh, was this clever writing!! The responses of both your son and your mother were classic humor! LOL many times!
Flawless delivery! I could see this in a women's magazine!