Here is another installment in "what is Nathaniel's blood pressure". This afternoon it was measured by a healthcare professional at 140/82. A little high but nothing to be concerned about. And how, do you ask, did I come by having my blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional? Stitches, that's how. I had cut down some low limbs from a Japanese maple and then I had to break them down into manageable sizes. Japanese maples are sort of brittle compared to their cousins in the maple family, so I was breaking them by hand. There was a sharp edge to one, and when I went to snap it the end snapped onto my ear. I knew I had drawn blood but not until my helper, Adam, had seen it and I saw how big his eyes got did I consider that I really might have injured myself. Then, looking in a mirror, there it was, yup ... stitches.

I cut the skin on the tragus, or the little air foil or flap before the ear canal, or external auditory canal (meatus). Now I have four stitches. I haven't had stitches since I cut my foot as a kid. That was unpleasant. I can't remember whether I had stitches when I put the spade fork through my foot between the big and second toes. I don't think I did. I was digging for worms. That wasn't fun either. That is the extent of my chilhood injuries, other than when Dodie pulled me out of the barbed wire fence when I was learning to ride a bicycle. Thanks again Dodie. I used to see a girl who's brother had the nickname, or nom de guerre, of "laceration Mike", for all of the trauma he inflicted on himself as a child. Nothing quite so extreme for me.

That was essentially the end of my day. After I got repaired we went back to Mukilteo, unloaded the truck, and went home. God did I need some sleep. The doc told me not to get it wet but I carefully washed my hair anyways and took a bath. I couldn't stay smelling like the decomposing greenery in the back of my truck. No way. Maybe the heat hit me. Still, it isn't like Florida. It might be similar now but it isn't the same. Florida bites.