Living by myself in the middle of nowhere, I am acutely aware of the consequences of mishandling power tools, or getting dumped off a horse and landing in cactus, or trying to kill a rattlesnake with a shovel. There's nobody around to save me but myself. So I try to remember to keep my cell phone in my pocket when I'm outside (and hope that it will have a signal when I really need it), and I'm always listening to the voice inside my head that says "don't do something stupid" whenever I plug in a saw or stand on a ladder.
My daily walk with Smooch is not supposed to be a situation when I have to concern myself with safety. Ok, there were a few times when the neighbor's cows charged us, but I know now to carry a few rocks to throw in our defense. I never thought my iPod could cause me grievous harm. Silly me. The first time this happened, I blew it off as a coincidence; the second time, I learned my lesson. Will there be third time? If I'm found dead in the mud room, you'll all know why.
Here's what happens. I get home with Smooch from our walk. I stand in the mud room and start to take off various layers of winter clothing...the hat, the gloves, the scarf. I'm still listening to the iPod since a podcast or a good song hasn't ended. The iPod is in the front pocket of the Carhartt quilted barn jacket I'm wearing. Have I mentioned that I live in the high desert and the air is very dry? I unzip the jacket, start to remove it and ZZZZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPPP!!! A charge of static electricity stronger than a jolt from my electric fence courses through my entire body and practically knocks me against the wall. I hate it when that happens.
Now all I have to do to prevent this from recurring is, of course, remember to turn off the iPod and remove it from my pocket BEFORE I take off my jacket. A no-brainer, right? Wrong. Any activity that begins with the word "remember" already has two strikes against it. Alas, spring will be here soon, I won't have to wear a jacket, and the warming temperatures might thaw out my brain.
Yikes, you and your iPod's! I bet Smooch is like, "Mom, seriously .. you have to stop doing this!"
ReplyDeleteYikes! Of all the dangers of country living alone, who would have thought it was Mr. Ipod, in the Mudroom, with a Zap?
ReplyDeleteGood work, Detective Smooch!
I did not know that you could get zapped from an Ipod due to static electricity but it makes sense. Wow. I'll have to "remember" that as well and make sure I tell my son who uses his all the time. Glad you are ok!
ReplyDeleteI would have never ever thought that an iPod would pick up electricity in that way! Please be careful.....your readers need you :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the body drawing!
Wow, you be careful!!!
ReplyDeleteI never would have imagined the power of the Ipod....see how un tech sasvy I am? I hate to be shocked with static electricity....I can't imagine the feeling after a shock like yours.
ReplyDeleteThe Olde Bagg
Just saw your Twitter about Smooch's DNA test. I'm looking forward to the results. I ordered and submitted a DNA test for my daughter's dog back in May (for my daughter's b-day). She had gotten her dog, Kass, from a shelter. The test results didn't come close to what the folks at the shelter thought Kass was. According to the results, she is part Canaan, which we had never heard of, but after googling it, we can definitely see the resemblemce. I've wondered if Smooch was part Canaan? (Love your blog!!!)
ReplyDeleteWOW, we lived in Arizona and never ever received a zap from our iPods. Crazy. You are looking a bit pale there on the floor.
ReplyDeleteDi
I use spray fabric softner on my chair by the desk and computor and it's stopped the zaps when I reach over to turn the printer on. You could try spraying the inside of your jacket to avoid the static build up. The stocks are not fun, well, unless you are six.
ReplyDeleteThat last pic is so funny!!! Oh goodness, do be careful. I'm thinking of borrowing Mercy's... now I'll have to try to remember this. I bet it hurts!
ReplyDeleteBTW...how do you like your Carhartt barn coat? Cabela's has them on sale for a few days and I was thinking of replacing my 15+ year old Dickies coat. Carhartts feel soooo stiff but Bruce always wears them and says you get used to it. Recommendations? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteOUCH! I didn't know that could happen either!!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo! You might have to teach smooch how to dial 911.
ReplyDeleteI think I should be glad I don't have an ipod. Now that the cooler weather is here...it seems everything I touch gives me a shock-especially the light switches!
I don't mean to laugh ... but that is just too funny! I live alone with my cat, so I totally get telling yourself to be careful ... now if we'd just listen up! LOL
ReplyDeleteOMG! I can't stop laughing. I'm sorry, I don't mean it in a bad way, but I am "static woman"! We have humidity here and I get zapped all the time. Now I've never been thrown down so you need to "REMEMBER" to remove the iPod! **SNAP** I'm sure I'd burst into flames down there and I don't even need an iPod. I cannot stop laughing at your picture.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a sticky note on the door?
ReplyDeleteDANGER! REMOVE IPOD! THE SONG WILL WAIT! DANGER!
Worked for a few things around here that keep getting forgotten. :)
I understand the worries about living alone and also remembering to do something!
ReplyDeleteSaw your twitter: So glad you were able to ride a horse on a trail ride! Have a nice rest on Sunday. I did a short trail ride last Sunday afternoon. It was a great end to my too short weekend :)
Silly girl, spring won't be here soon, winter just started. I like the sticky idea so you don't get another shock. C in WI that was so funny. Mr. Ipod with a zap. Anybody else play Clue?
ReplyDeleteThe outlined body cracked me up! I think anybody that lives alone worries about doing something and ending up like that but you have alot more to worry about. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you went on a trail ride.Rest up. We'll wait. I can't wait to see the results of Smooch's DNA test.
ReplyDeleteBeneficial info and excellent design you got here! I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! Great work!
ReplyDelete