rabid squirrels and suicidal birds

I got home on Sunday from a trip to camp. I was running the Counselor Training weekend (which went very well, I think. At least the evaluation forms the kids filled out indicated they enjoyed it). Rob was busy with work stuff this weekend, so my mom came up with me to be child care. What better way to spend the May long weekend.

Well, did I ever get freaked out. There was a doctor there who asked to share some things with the teens about potential health issues that could arise. You know, things like leeches, ticks, mouse pee, tetanus and rabies. Yes, rabies. Not from bats, mind you, but squirrels and raccoons. I've yet to even see a raccoon since moving away from Vancouver, but I have seen squirrels. Note to self: they may look cute and cuddly, but they are a nasty vermin that could attack at any time. Don't check for foaming at the mouth, just walk away when you see one. You've been warned.

Lucky me had a series of back muscle spasms while I was up at camp - the last time that happened was at Permie training weekend the year oldest kid was a newborn. Fun times...ouch! I'm still hurting from it too, and hoping it feels better soon.

I gave one of the teens a ride home. She lives in our town, and has been affiliated with our church in the past. Really nice girl. We were having a lovely chat about the pros of vegetarian diets, and the evils of commercial farming when we were attacked by the suicidal bird. Ok, perhaps attacked is a strong word. There was a bird, I think it was some kind of duck on the highway. It saw the van, started flapping it's wings and ran right into us. I really did try to avoid hitting it, but it still managed to get itself smoshed under the front wheels of the van. Icky, and somewhat ironic. Thememory of the sound of the bird hitting the van still gives me the shivers.