My Shadow Black Eye

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I used the burn barrel by myself, feeling confident I was doing everything right. Two days ago, the stage was set when I put in a few pages of newspaper, dry clippings, and small branches. Today I pulled the hose off the holder and was startled when I hit myself in the face – right on the bridge of my nose. I hoped it wouldn’t give me a black eye. I sprinkled the grass around the barrel with water. The paper lit immediately, followed by the garden debris. I sat on the garden cart, reading blog posts on my phone while the fire consumed everything quickly.

There was a reflection of myself on the screen, and I saw the rakish angle of the hat brim. A photo of that could be amusing. I was shocked when I saw the photo — discoloration under both eyes! The neighbors are gathering tomorrow to celebrate the Fourth of July, and they will see my face. They wouldn’t whisper behind my back, but would ask me directly if I should really be living alone. Not many people want to live near a person who appears to need an ambulance at any moment. Though Lise chose a concealer for my face while she was here, she knows I’m not skilled enough to cover major damage. Oh, well. Face the future with a smile and go on.

After putting things away outside, I took a shower and only then looked in the mirror. What a pleasant surprise to find nothing wrong with my face! The bruise was nothing more than a shadow!

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Published by Anne Mehrling

I'm a retiree who loves to write about life in the mountains of North Carolina.

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38 thoughts on “My Shadow Black Eye”

  2. Oh, that was a cheap trick, Anne! Just as I was thinking about my sympathy post and confessing to often hitting myself in the face with something. I once closed the refrigerator door on my mouth and busted my lip. But seriously, I am glad it was not damaging, because it could have been. Enjoy your 4th tomorrow!

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  5. Anne, memorize this phrase: “You should see the other guy!”

    Grace & Peace,

    Dr. Russell Brownworth 167 Cedar Circle ​Thomasville, NC 27360 Mobile: 336-804-4702

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  11. Well, it looks a little greenish on the cheeks under the “mask” which thankfully is just a shadow. You are very lucky that you didn’t damage your eyes from the hose reel.

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      1. I had my rolling hose reel for 25 years and one day I was rolling it around the yard and pulled the hose and the whole thing just collapsed and fell. I am lucky it didn’t fall on my foot, but I saw the frame give way and jumped back. I ordered another hose reel from Gardener’s Supply, paid the handyman to put it together and it was bigger with pneumatic tires and had a little basket to put your nozzle, etc. … it fell apart over the course of a year, all the tires went flat, the reel didn’t turn, so I got a hanger for the wall. Supposed to last a lifetime. When I took the hose out to hang it on the wall, the reel was cracked. I still have not found a handyman – I asked every single woman I know (meaning single/never married, single with no adult men in the family to help, divorcees, widows and two with husbands in nursing home) for the name of their handyman and they looked at me like I was the man in the moon. See how lucky you are you have nice neighbors.

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  14. for a second I was ready to share your pain, being prone to domestic accidents as you know😂, but I’m glad your face only need a wash 😉to go back to its radiant happy look🤩
    P.s
    All my admiration for adventuring with the burn burrell , live flames and drills still are off limits for me, but that’s also probably why I still have all my 10 fingers🤣

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    1. I have ventured into dangerous territory recently. The burn barrel was one. I have been EXTREMELY careful using my new electric trimmer. I need all ten digits to play the piano and type on the computer. I made two rules — always hold that heavy thing with two hands and never move my feet while the blade is moving.

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  16. Glad there was no damage to your face. I hope You are very lucky that you didn’t damage your eyes.

    I can ask you, How it’s ?

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