I swear to Bejuebus, I’m cursed… or something
On Thursday, while helping out the GOM, I managed to pull a muscle in my back.
It was scream-worthy. Walking turned into hobbling, and driving? Forget it. Twisting, even turning my neck, was out of the question.
I pushed through anyway, gritting my teeth to get things done. The landowners I’m housesitting for were due back Friday night, and I needed to make the most of having water, laundry, and all the “civilized” amenities.
Somehow, I got everything finished.
Then Saturday morning rolled around… and no sign of them. It’s not unusual for them to get in super late at night and I like to let them sleep in, so I wasn’t aware they hadn’t come back until after I had fed the horses.
Turns out, they “forgot” to tell me they changed their plans. They won’t be back until Monday.
I was a little peeved, not gonna lie. But honestly? Once the frustration passed, I realized, this is exactly what I needed. Two unscheduled days off. A break I’ve been desperately craving.
The universe might know what it’s doing after all.
Cue fantasy: poolside, sunshine, Terry Pratchett, maybe a rather strong fruity drink, and absolutely no responsibilities.
Cue reality: AC starts making terrifying noises.
Now, if you’ve ever lived in Florida, you know we have a long list of deadly threats, gators, snakes, wild hogs, Florida Man – but nothing strikes fear into our hearts quite like losing AC in the middle of summer.
My AC cleaning kit is back on the land, but I made do. Up the ladder I went, twisting and reaching overhead (yes, with a pulled back!), giving it a DIY deep clean while trying not to cry.
An hour later, I had it back together. I ran it in fan mode to defrost (because yes, somehow it had frozen in 90°F heat). It even spat ice at me. Cool, cool, cool.
Finally, I made it to the pool. I cracked open Guards! Guards! and drifted. Floating. Reading. Sunshine. For a moment or two, it was bliss.
Then came the paper wasp.
Then another.
Three stings and a mild existential crisis later, I was back inside.
Fun fact: paper wasps can recognize faces. I learned that between stings #2 and #3. So when one of them fell in the water? I didn’t save it. I usually would—but I was feeling personally targeted.
Still, I’m trying to reframe. Maybe all the chaos of the last few weeks had to unravel in its own weird way. Maybe the universe knew I needed a slow, messy unravel rather than a hard stop.
Either way, I got my break. Sort of. In the most Florida way possible.