Larson fans anyone? This was the caption for a Gary Larson cartoon of a group of dogs, one of which (Rusty) had just dashed across the street in front of cars to join the others. (Again, who can explain what the brain chooses to retain? This I remember; the name of that client contact I worked with last month, not a clue.)
Anyhoo — I do now feel like I’m in a not-so-elite club for the first time. Why? I sprained my ankle on Saturday. Just stepped down off the deck like I have a million times, landed funny on the stepping stone below, and down I went. I heard the crack so feared the worse, but, nothing broken, not too much pain — only lots of swelling and lovely shades of blue of purple.
But, it was a first. I’ve never hurt myself like that before. Never had to gingerly peel off my shoe and sock and hope no bone was sticking through. Never experienced the injured body at work — instant swelling, a little light-headedness, a little nausea. Never made the requisite trip to the ER for X rays.
But now, now I’m wearing my “air splint” like a badge of honor. “Oh, it’s just a sprain,” I say, as if I’ve been through this many times. “Lots of swelling and black & blue,” I smile as I lift my foot to show people. Inevitably I hear about their own experiences with ankle sprains and strains. I nod knowingly.
Yep, I’m in the club! I’m just hoping it’s a lifetime membership — no regular dues required.
Ah-oh, I only treat left ankles…
~ My ER doctor
Writing by Ear 
mel said,
Friday, August 1, 2008 at 10:13 am
sorry to hear of your sprain–that’s a pain. and yes, I’m with you–I don’t want to pay “dues” to any club of that sort. ; ) get better soon.
Five Guys Named Moe said,
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Scott, I found a greeting card with a color version of the “Ok! Rusty’s in the club” cartoon on it, and I scanned it. I can’t see your email address, but if you will write to me at rustysintheclub@jeffster.org, I’ll be glad to send it to you.
Scott Bordelon said,
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Do you remember which year the “Rusty’s in the club” comic first appeared? I’m trying to track it down. If you have a copy of it you can scan for me, that would be great.
Five Guys Named Moe said,
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Well, that was dumb — I hit the wrong “reply” link. I’ll try again to try to cause a notification by email to be sent to Scott Bordelon. My apologies to all.
Scott, I found a greeting card with a color version of the “Ok! Rusty’s in the club” cartoon on it, and I scanned it. I can’t see your email address, but if you will write to me at rustysintheclub@jeffster.org, I’ll be glad to send it to you.
Scott Bordelon said,
Monday, August 2, 2010 at 11:36 am
Thanks Guys. After scanning through “The Complete Far Side” for a THIRD time, I found a color one as well. My seach is over now.
WritingbyEar said,
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:46 am
Scott, I used to have a copy (and about a million others from several years of Larson-a-day calendars), but purged them in a move. I tried searching online but couldn’t come up with it either. (Google images has a lot of them, but I didn’t see that one.) Sorry!