I came around a corner on my walk today. Deep in thought, I was in moving fast and not paying much attention when a sudden noise and motion to my left froze me.
A deer was on the other side of a knee-high white picket fence. I’d apparently startled her. Then she’d startled me
She was about three feet away. We stayed still. Then I softly said, “Hey, good looking. How’s your Saturday going?”
Leaning forward, the doe sniffed in my direction. This lasted for about ten seconds in my guesstimate. Then, satisfied, I guess, she resumed eating and I moved on.
We’re getting started on another Saturday here in Ashlandia on the third rock from the sun.
It’s April 6, 2024. The weather isn’t anything to write about, but I will note it’s rainy and cloudy and sunny again today. Present temp is 46 F. Add six degrees to it, and you have the day’s expected high. There is enough sunshine to energize me and filet depression, anxiety, and frustration off my mood.
In personal news, Mom headed to the hospital for stomach pain yesterday afternoon. Appendicitis was the diagnosis. I called a sis for details. She was accompanying Mom and I was able to briefly speak with her. Sis and Mom were both in good spirits at the hospital. Even though, at that point, Mom was in the hall, cold, awaiting a room, awaiting surgery, over twenty hours removed from eating anything, at almost eight PM.
They operated on her that night. The 88-year-old woman survived without issue. It was related back to me that the medical staff claimed it was “the worse looking appendix they’d ever removed.” Mom seemed proud about that.
Today finds The Neurons plugging “Goodbye to You” in the morning mental music stream (Trademark eclipsed). This song by Scandal and Patty Smyth was released in 1982. It’s a fun, driving rocker. Dance floors filled up when it came on in clubs.
I know exactly why The Neurons summoned it today. My wife was reading the news and addressing her frustration with certain politicians. During her brief diatribe, she mentioned she’d be very happy to see several Republicans gone. She said, she would love to be able to say, “Goodbye and good riddance.”
Click. “Hit it,” The Neurons commanded, and the song began. I think it’s a good song for the day and purpose.
Stay positive, and be romantic, and — whoa, don’t know where that one came from. A slip of the head, I supposed. Be pos and strong, I meant to write, lean forward, and Vote Blue. Got any extra coffee on you? I think I need some.
Cumulofloofus(floofinition) 1. A cloud which is thought to resemble an animal. Origins: 1960s, United States; frequently associated with cloud gazing.
In Use: “Whenever Vernon noticed clouds crossing a blue sky, he searched for cumulofloofus, usually finding a cat, rabbit, or galloping horse among the meteorological offerings.”
In Use: “Hearing a voice, Connie looked up in surprise, belatedly realizing a feline-like cumulofloofus had addressed her. The day was about to get interesting.”
In Use: “Novel reading while on a lounger in the backyard, Syra glanced up to the sky. A single, deer-shaped cumulofloofus drifted across the expanse, bringing to mind a poem about a lonely cloud.”
2. A floofy animal which resembles a cloud. Origins: late 1970s United States.
In Use: “Seeing her big ol’ fluffy white dog curled up in his blue bed, Micka privately grinned,. Sampson looked just like cumulofloofus hanging resting in a darkening blue sky.”
In Use: “All five gray long-haired kittens were in a cuddle-muddle, looking for all the world like a cumulofloofus. Before they awoke or moved, she snapped a shot of them with her phone and posted it to the world wide web.”
Michael Seidel, writer 