The Squirrel Effect

No, I haven't adopted squirrels. But we all know what it is to be distracted easily and go from one thing to another, leading you down unexpected paths, without completing anything. And then there's the domino effect distraction. When your life is full of chaos those changes in direction are frequent.

Here's an example:

It's the end of my day and I'm pooped. A cat is sitting in my lap. She gets startled and when she jumps, her claw scratches my leg, I jump, knocking the firestick controller on the floor where it pops open and the batteries go rolling. Of course they both roll under a huge wood bookcase that has about a one half inch opening on the front only. No opening on sides or back.

I stare at that damned bookcase and I hear it laughing at me. My only solution is to empty the entire six shelves of contents and move the heavy son of a gun to get the batteries.

So I did.

But I have neglected to mention that since we live in an open air environment and beside a dirt road, the dust accumulates at an alarming rate. Not only the bookcase needs a cleaning but also the 100 or so books. Ugh!

I removed the books and stacked them all over the dining table. Then I dusted and slid the bookcase over several feet so I could tip it and walk it backwards, exposing the grunge and dog hair underneath … which contained the batteries.

Of course I had to sweep and mop. And while I was at it I figured I may as well rearrange furniture. But that meant moving the bookcase to the office bedroom.

Did I mention it's the end of my day and I'm pooped? At this point I am totally out of steam. The table is full of dusty books. The 200 pound bookcase smells lemony but sits in the middle of the room. Half the floor was swept and mopped. And I have indigestion.

BUT my batteries are back in the firestick control and it's time to make my evening call to my mom in Florida.

A big benefit of living in my own house with myself is that I can leave everything just the way it is and there's no one to complain. So I did. I'm an early morning powerhouse, and I do mean early. It will be attended to later, as Scarlett O’Hara said, “I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

But you understand about squirrels and dominos. I'll bet you've got your fair share of both. The good thing is that at this age I don't beat myself up over unfinished tasks or diversions. I just go with the flow.

Stress will kill you. Laughter is healing. So just call me the Irma Bombeck of homesteading in Mexico and I'll be proud to wear the title. If you can get or give a chuckle out of your everyday experiences, then it was worth the effort.

Gotta go, there’s a squirrel!