At The Mercy Of My Bathroom Faucet

First published, 8/19/07

New post coming soon...


My cat Simon insists on eating the instant I open my eyes, so this morning, like every morning, I crawled out of bed the minute Mr. narcissism began to wail for his breakfast-

And like every morning, I fumbled around in the kitchen with my eyes barely focused and my mind in a dreamy haze, searching for the cat’s breakfast while I listened to him sing his chorus of MEOW, MEOW, MEOW.

I have always wondered why cats pretend we cannot hear their repeated meowing? They just keep meowing oblivious to the fact that you're moving as fast as you can. Most of the time I try to ignore him in return,  but this morning, I couldn't ignore Simon's ear-piercing demands. So, without thinking, I opened a can of cat food.

Which is why I didn't discover the blood pouring out of the back of my hand until after I poured my self-centered feline his breakfast- then it took a few more minutes for my brain to register the pain-

I stared at the back of my hand awhile before I realized the effect this accident could have on the rest of my day and my pulse began to quicken with fear. There is nothing scarier than the unknown, and suddenly my future was a mystery. So, at first, I was terrified, but after I ran to the bathroom faucet and put my hand under running water, I was relieved to find that the cut wasn't serious.

However, mothers cannot have cuts on the top of their hands, regardless of how old their children are, we simply do not have the luxury of an injury, even a small injury. Families depend on Mom in special ways, yes, even Mom's with adult children. Therefore, I envisioned my house of cards tumbling down and my family crumbling to pieces, all because of a small cut on the back of my hand.


As I ran water over my injured hand, I searched my medicine cabinet with my good hand for a band-aid, but I couldn't find one. I tried to move the injured hand away from the running water, but the bleeding was still profuse, so I quickly put it back under the faucet. I couldn't believe I was stuck at the mercy of my bathroom faucet simply because I couldn’t find a band-aid.





Sentenced to live my life over a bathroom sink, in bondage forever with my hand under water, unable to live my life because I forgot to get band-aids at the store. Sometimes, I really don't understand what is wrong with me...I mean, speaking of motherhood, what kind of mother cannot remember band-aids? Even if, she lives alone with a spoiled feline?

I have always had a problem remembering to get things from the store, especially for items that bore me, like band-aids, and now I was paying the price. I began to panic, but continued the search while holding my hand under water, until thank goodness, I found one lonely band-aid crumbled in the back of the medicine cabinet- a case of pure serendipity.

I was so grateful...because now I was free to drive an hour to my mothers, wash the endless supply of dirty clothes that one college student can dirty, work on a book proposal, write tomorrows post, oh, and try to remember everything I need from the store, including the ingredients for what I’m going to cook tonight.

Although...it's strange, I feel like I'm forgetting something again... But, if it was important, I would remember, wouldn't I?

Oh well, it's probably just from all the stress I've had today and besides I don't have any mundane items on my list...That is, I don't think I do...I think I just need groceries...

Saturday's Favorite Movie Moment

Edited Repost: Make Way For Ducklings

Make Way For Ducklings: First published in 1941, this 1942 Caldecott Medal winner and Massachusetts State book, is still delighting an audience of children and adults today. Robert McCloskey’s gentle prose and award winning illustrations magically capture the true essence of parental birds in flight.

The reader is quickly drawn into Mr. and Mrs. Mallard's search for the perfect place to raise their family. The books double page spread illustrations invite you to view the world from the Mallards point of view, which adds to the realism of a perfectly paced plot. Hence, within the first few pages, the reader joins the Mallard family's flight over houses and farms as they make their way toward the magnificent city of Boston.

However, while flying over the city, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard cannot agree on the perfect place to stop and investigate their surroundings, so they continue flying until they are exhausted, and must agree to stop on an island in the middle of the Boston Public Garden.



The following day, the couple swam and fished in the pond, strolled along the bank, and were generally happy with the garden. However, due to public activity in the park, Mrs. Mallard began to feel uncomfortable with the area, and wanted to search for a more suitable nesting environment.

Hence, the Mallards take off again, flying over the many landmarks of Boston, until they finally find a home in close proximity to the Garden where their offspring can hatch.



The Mallards like their new home close to the pond, where they form a friendship with a man named Michael, who showers them with a constant supply of peanuts. However, after Mrs. Mallard lays her eggs in the nest, she cannot visit Michael until her babies hatch. Although, we see Michael again when he proves to be both a hero and a trusted friend, in addition to the entire city of Boston.

Robert McCloskey’s warm-heartened portrayal of these parents is the backbone of this classic in addition to its articulately written prose and truthful illustration. The Mallards are devoted to their offspring and spend a good deal of time teaching them how to live safely in the world. You are convinced you can trust them and like them instantly. I fell in love with the ducks and snuggled with them in flight twice on my couch in one afternoon.

The prose is poetic, the plot is wonderfully paced and the illustrations are vividly drawn, thereby depicting a true duck family living a happy and prosporous life in Boston.


Although written for ages 4-8, the book is one of the best picture books to read aloud to a young audience according to many reviews.

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Make Way For Ducklings was designated the official book of the State of Massachusetts in 2003.


Feel free to leave book review requests in comments.

Or e-mail me at annclemmons@hotmail.com

Authors note: I wrote the original Book review for Make Way For Ducklings in July of 2007, and it continues to attract many readers a day. Therefore, we I saw the links to it today, I decided to re-read it. Then, I decided it needed a good edit. (Smile) I don't how my book review remained popular after all this time, other than the fact that it's written about this timeless classic.

I read somewhere that there is a statue of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their off-spring in The Boston Public Garden, which doesn't surprise me. Anyway, the old book review is still posted, because I didn't want to break the link, but I hope you will enjoy this one as well, in addition I wanted to share the book with my new readers.

And as always, thanks for reading.

The Friendly Blogger And Zombie Chicken Awards

Sandee at Comedy Plus nominated me for not one, but two, ultimately fabulous awards. The first is The 2009 Friendly Blogger Award from Colleen at Short Stories in the Making.

Don't you love this awards design? And what an honor it is to receive it from one of the coolest bloggers in the blogosphere. Thank you Sandee! ( I rarely use exclamation points. I keep them in reserve for special bloggers like you.)

Click because there's more to come...

The Second Award from my buddy Sandee at Comedy Plus is the (get ready for this one, folks.) The Zombie Chicken Award, passed to Sandee from Sandi at Nothing Off Limits
Although this award may seem silly, I would advice you to take it seriously... You'll see what I mean after you read the rules...thank you again, Sandee, I'm truly honored.


The rules of the zombie chicken say...

"The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all…"

Do you see what I mean? First, let me say how honored I am, (as any writer would be) to receive an award that contains these silly heartwarming words, "their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words."

I feel like framing it and hanging it on my wall..no kidding....

I took my time in choosing the following recipients for both of these incredible awards, because of how special they are, in addition, I didn't want to risk the wrath of zombie chickens if I didn't "choose wisely."


(I'm sorry I haven't the slightest idea how or why The Disobedient Chicken who lives in my sidebar is... excuse me, "Not where she belongs. Pardon me, little chicken..." Oh, forget it, just ignore her, she is not an award.

Alright, I nominate the following blogger's for both of these ultra cool awards:

(Some of these bloggers may have already received this award, but I wanted to express the way I feel about their content, as well as their friendship; so, they'll have two awards. Hey, you can have two Academy Awards...so there-

Congratulations to the following:



Bev at Merry Weather
Ettarose at Sanity On Edge
Sandee at Comedy Plus and Blogging By Sandee
Dawn at Twisted Sister


Eric/Speedy at The Speedcat Hollydale Page

Maunie at Mauniejames 2

Daisy (and Harley too) at Daisy The Curly Cat

Babs at Beetle's Memories 'N' Ramblings
Grace at Hugz Before You Go...
The Retired One at The Retirement Chronicles

Marie at Nourish: Living, Laughing, Whining

Mother Maitri at Maitri's Heart

Girlie Geek at girliegeek
Bud at WTIT: The Radio Blog


I could go on and on, and I'm sorry that I went overboard, but there are so many bloggers out there that fit in both of these award categories that I couldn't stop. If your name is not listed here, it's probably due to the fact that I have another award in mind for you.

While I was out, I was blessed enough to receive many awards that I haven't had a chance to pass along...Therefore, I decided to have an awards day every Monday in an effort to post each and every one of them. I'm grateful to all of you who have acknowledged my work, thus, if your blog is not listed here, I didn't forget you. Remember, every Monday will be awards day on A Nice Place In The Sun for some time-

Congratulations and forgive me for passing out more than five awards...Oh ...I hope that doesn't mean I will have to brave a raving pack of zombie chickens- I wonder if that is why the Disobedient Chicken is hanging around...Do you suppose she is has been assigned some sort of chicken watch?