Wednesday, April 3, 2013

MAXMOM EATS HUMBLE-PIE

Truly, our Great Creator has a perplexing sense of humour! ...

As some of you may know, I’m half blind without my reading glasses and, just when I mislay them, I realise that I actually need my glasses in order to find them.  Yeah, it’s a twist of fate – an awkward reminder of my fallibility. As age creeps up on me, so does my deteriorating sight.  But add a puppy to the equation and the reality becomes even graver!

I have spent the last 20 minutes in a careful search of every corner of my house.  As if adding insult to injury, Lexi has accompanied me on my search – her smiling, cheerful face attached to a wild, waggy tail.  She is a living, walking jibe at my unfortunate situation.  She doesn’t realise that I am quickly approaching end of my tether. 

Having searched the entire length of my house, my only option now is to migrate ‘outside’ and pace the lawn and the flower beds too – carefully!  I need my glasses even more to do this. I feel defeated, but I concede, and exit into the bright morning sunshine.

 “Come Lexi,” I say. “Be a good dog and please show me where have you taken them this time,” I say sarcastically. 

The pup doesn’t seem to notice my simmering mood and repeats her uninhibited ‘happy dance’ around my ankles.

The next question is “What condition will they be in when I find them?”  Oh God, my battered brain is balking!  Will they be salvageable? Will I be able to see past the tiny teeth marks? Damn this puppy!  Images of tiny glass mosaics and corrugated frames play out their comedy in my imagination.  Lucky for me, my far-sightedness in still intact.  I can see the puppy watching me – innocence etched on her features – she studies my every move.

“What can I help you with, Maxmom?” her eyes plead curiously as she approaches me again with a wide, anticipatory dog-grin.

“It’s you, Lexi, I know it’s you!” She knows I’m not impressed, but she wags her tail even harder.

Exhausted and defeated, I return to my kitchen and switch the kettle on.  I slump into the seat next to my computer at the kitchen table. Out of sheer habit, my hand reaches forward, next to the computer and closes around an all-too-familiar shape. I open the object and place it on my nose.  Sight restored! Whew!

Only then does the realisation hit me. It's time to eat serious humble-pie.  Lexi sits next to me, staring up at me adoringly, innocent and most of all - forgiving. She waits ... Her tail is a blur as my mood turns for the better.  I sigh audibly in humility.

“I’m so sorry, my girl,” I say.  “But it’s nice to at least have someone to blame.”

Oh the joys of being human!




13 comments:

Dexter said...

Poor little dear. She was willing to help you even if you were blaming her. I'm sure she was relieved when you discovered your specs.

No matter where I am in the house, I always go to the same spot to put down my glasses (at least about 90% of the time) to avoid such humbling search and rescue exercises.

Mango Momma

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Aww bless her but she knew you would not be cross at her for long and she knew you loved her anyway. Unconditional love I think. We are sill sometimes though I know. Love her face in the picture. Adorable. Hugs GJ xx

Millie and Walter said...

Miss Lexi is getting so big. Glad to hear it was just a senior moment for Maxmom and not her fault. Most of us have those moments now and then.

Cindy

How Sam Sees It said...

We always automatically assume Monty has stolen whatever is missing in our house, and most of the time, he has. Give Lexi hugs from us!

Sam

Scout and Freyja said...

Caryl, I must have 20+ pair of reading glasses - all bought at the local dollar store of every color and shape (just for fun). Luckily my reading 'sight' isn't all that rough yet to merit a prescription☺.

Mrs. JP said...

Caryl, I literally laughed out loud at you because I do the very same thing! I love that we got that glimpse into your humble pie :O)
Alright, my friend, emotions are spent. You have taken me for a ride between your lovely, lovely, fiction story and this hoot of a real-life story I am ready to hit my day with a smile. Thanks,my friend across the pond, blessings from the holler...

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

My mom says it's easier to blame it on my dad. Maybe blame it on "the Boss" next time Maxmom :)

MySpecialDoggies said...

Puppy Elle is telling me that I say the same thing! And Neeli says she remembers my saying stuff like that when she was a pup.

Beautiful pup Lexi!

Woofs
Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle

Jake of Florida said...

Caryl,

Being equally blind, I so identify with this story. I can't blame the dogs, however, when my glasses go astray because, other then when Jakey was a young lad and destroyed my Gucci sun glasses in a two-second blitz, he and JH focus on other things like pencils and pens and paper towels and the like. All of which are easily replaceable.

I have a spot to leave my glasses...but you know how it is. Sometimes they just never make it there and the blind search begins.

Fortunately Jack has a similar problem ... so he too wanders around looking and doesn't scold me for being so ditzy.

The Life of Riley said...

Sounds like Lexi makes the perfect seeing-eye assistance dog staying by your side as you blindly move around the house!

I loose my glasses too and have often thought my glasses (which I wear only at home) should have the brightest pink or red really thick frames so I can find them.

Molly the Airedale said...

We hope you got a kiss on top of your head too, Lexi!

Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly

Ziggy Stardust said...

Mommy does that to me all the time. I hope you got some serious treats. Humans can be so silly.

Loveys Sasha

Curt Rogers said...

Another great story, and one I can identify with. I've spent time doing the exact same thing only to discover my glasses perched atop my head. I've even looked for my phone...WHILE talking on the phone. :)