I know that you will keep being presented with the same lesson until you learn it.
Sometimes the lesson is deep and it takes us awhile to even figure out we're supposed to be learning something. Sometimes it's ridiculously obvious.
Last year, after sixteen years of no issues, a raccoon got into my cabin and created havoc. The mess was disgusting and disheartening. I threw away the mattress and cushions and bedding and quilts. I scrubbed and disinfected every inch of the place. And I thought, 'I need to make sure I secure this place better in the fall.'
I forgot. It never crossed my mind again.
I thought I noticed the other day that the door to the cabin was open. My eyes aren't that great anymore. The bridge to the cabin had once again floated away and getting there is do-able, just not as easy, so I chose to put it out of my mind.
No need to open the door to know there was trouble ... it was already open. |
I made my way over there this weekend. I didn't even have to open the door to know there was trouble, because yes, the door WAS open. Both doors.
I wasn't even shocked or upset, just totally resigned to the fact that I am a fool. An 89 cent lock would have have totally avoided it.
This time he really did a number on it. He must have decided that he needed to ensure that the message sunk in this time. Why else would a creature go all around the perimeter of a building and rip out the insulation. It's not edible. It's not a nesting substance. Nothing smells good tucked inside it. The muddy clawing marks every two feet are very strange ... lots of them. Where was the mud coming from, you'd think his hands would have been clean by then. Very, very strange in a creepy sort of way.
I would have liked to observe his technique. Was he doing it from hanging on the edge and throwing it down? Probably not as the pictures weren't knocked off. But there's not enough room on the 4 inch ledge for a fat, old, lumbering coon and how could he get around the rafters? And how did he scale the wall to begin with?
I would have liked to observe his technique. Was he doing it from hanging on the edge and throwing it down? Probably not as the pictures weren't knocked off. But there's not enough room on the 4 inch ledge for a fat, old, lumbering coon and how could he get around the rafters? And how did he scale the wall to begin with?
I sure like to know what this was all about |
So ... the lesson:
Remember stuff. Act on it. But remember that you don't remember very well anymore, so write it down. No ... better yet - DO IT NOW. Do it while it's fresh in your mind.
And believe me. It's fresh.
He forgot to toss down a couple pieces of insulation. |
And muddy mess at equal intervals all around the perimeter... at the rafters, so how did he do that |
This must have taken him awhile. He pulled the eyes out of the poor bunny - that's wasn't cool. |
Same deal as last year but added in the insulation for good measure. |
The torquoise oil lamp from my mom. |
Some nice china pieces for my glass cases. |
That a lot of work for him and a lot of work for me. |
Here we go again. Everything out. And this time I get to scrub the walls. |
4 comments:
oh, poor you, such an unholy mess!!!! That horrible beast! Your words would indicate that you are taking this in stride, but I know you're heartbroken about your beautiful treasures: your blue and white china and especially your turquoise oil lamp from your Mom. And the 'violation' in general. I also know THIS: your resilience will overcome your sadness and annoyance and soon enough your little cabin will be all right again. Big hugs.
I am truly being totally honest that it didn't even raise my blood pressure and I wasn't even sad about the treasures. Another lesson that I am working on and not doing a very good job, is letting go. This forces me to look at things differently. Any irritation that I might have would have to be directed at ME and I don't even feel like doing that because I've grown to be gentle with myself for my shortcoming. That rascal was just coming back to the same party place where he had free reign last year ... and I let him.
I'm so glad it didn't raise your blood pressure. You are reaching a higher level of being. I think you and I have both learned a valuable lesson here. No material things can take the place of friends and memories. And YOU, my dear Evelyn, are truly blessed with both.
I sure am Diane. Figuring out what really matters is a blessing of aging and an evolution.
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