I lucked upon someone who had never heard my many tales of adventures with a gun. YES, I know guns are dangerous, but you cannot have a war without being armed and I was constantly warring with the armadillos. Unless you are a gardener, you do not understand the damage an almost blind--not particularly smart armadillo can do to a garden. THUS---I have a gun. Believe it or not--there are armadillos here in the inner city. Fortunately, they have not made it all the way to my new to me house, but in the former house---which was close to the woods, around the railroad tracks, and the creek (city drain off) which drains into the Trinity River which is right by us they did a great deal of damage. They frown upon you shooting a gun in the big city--I am no longer out in the country---so I have NO weapon of defense. BACK TO THE OLD STORY I shared with a friend while out walking early today.
This particular story is not about the Armadillo Wars, but instead began when I was perturbed at the neighborhood crow flock. Crows are NOISY birds! I was living alone in the house where we raised our children. and it sat in the middle of 5 acres of beautiful trees-a variable forest. The forest is an absolute smorgasbord for the crows, with plenty of small varmints for them to feast upon. Those crows liked to congregate on the roof of the house, right over my bedroom, and have a gab fest---REALLY EARLY every morning. I was still running at the time and usually got up well before dawn, but at least once a week we took a day off and I could sleep in (that usually meant 7 AM). This particular morning there cawing pushed me over the edge of reason and I darted out of bed---barefoot---in a tee shirt and shorts. I grabbed the 22 gauge rifle and dashed out the door. I had decided to shoot over those crows and scare them off --hopefully for good. Crows are very intelligent and remember points of danger. I was NOT happy---in fact--I was furious and annoyed at those noisy birds. As I pulled the gun up, I clicked off the safety, and my finger was ready on the trigger. BAM! the gun went off--and I did not get over the crows--in fact I did not get anywhere near the crows---I shot the house. The bullet went through the shutter, through the wood siding, through the sheet rock in the bathroom, and lodged in the tile surrounding my tub. LESSON LEARNED! Never shoot a gun in anger---there could be unintended consequences. I did not scare the crows off--they were back the next day--probably sharing a good laugh over the stupid lady who shot the house. Yes, I could have killed my house, but instead there was a bullet permanently lodged in the master bath. It was slightly embarrassing to explain to the next owner, why that bullet was lodged in the tile.
Yes, I can be sent over the edge of reason and forget to think when angry. Anger is an emotion which can cause rash reactions. Almost every time I have spontaneously reacted in a moment of anger, it has not ended well. The far reaching ripples of any hasty action, made in anger, have unintended consequences. You are angry with your mate--and lash out without thought of the unintended consequences which will lodge in the hearts of your children who overhear. Those words are permanently lodged in their hearts--and will never be forgotten--causing a lack of trust in loved ones. Is there ever a time when our actions do not directly impact those in our sphere of influence? Food for thought---and an old-old story.
"Don't be angry or furious.
Anger can lead to sin."
Psalm 37:8
Acting in anger NEVER turns out well, Lulu. I hate that your shot missed the crows, but I'm relieved that your house was the only one "shot." What if it had been your neighbors???
ReplyDeleteBlessings, and thanks for sharing this story.
I lived in the middle of acres of forest with no close neighbors, Martha! I am only dangerous to a point!
DeleteBlessings!