Why I Wash My Hands After Reading the Word
If you blog, you might notice we oft find ourselves as the Wizard of Oz, hidden in the control booth of Blogger or Word Press throwing switches and levers to project whatever image suits our fancy. Even when we do let down our guard and expose our shortcomings, we do so in a controlled environment, putting our best foot forward. Our words are measured, thoughts processed, outbursts edited.
If folks start to see our true faults, we might be quick to turn up the volume and pour out more smoke. Like the frail wizard, we shout into the microphone, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!”
Don’t worry, you can keep reading. I don’t plan to reveal any dark secrets today. But I will point out one of my more neurotic quirks that often wedge themselves under the fingernails of those who know me. You who have only a digital image are more often spared such annoyances of day to day life.
Curse you, Samson. You continue to expose me.
I apologize in advance.
::
My coworkers and I paraded to the cafeteria yesterday and stood in a herd like so many cattle. You’d think we never eat. But the cooks whipped up homemade caramel rolls just the way we like them — warm and free — to kick off the annual Combined Appeal (think: small town United Way) campaign.
When it was this glutton’s turn at the table, I took tongs in hand and felt electricity rack my arm. I tried in vain to hold in the guttural half-scream that left my throat. A nearby coworker jumped away as I jerked my hand back but was unable to rid myself of the utensil, now one with my hand.
Caramel Rolls + Hungry Workers = Sticky Tongs
I seized up.
Once done making my scene, I pulled the tongs from my palm, handed off my plate and slunk to the kitchen to rinse the offending glop down the drain.
I’m not a germophobe. I’m not even particularly neat or tidy. And I don’t live in a spotless home.
But sticky does something deep inside me.
It immobilizes.
So, when Samson stuck his powerful paw into honeycomb the bees created inside a lion’s carcass, I started to twitch.
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