You’ll get no cheery good mornings from me today. Already I hate today. When I went to get the papers, I tripped and fell. I cut the hand I used to cushion my fall and now the two last fingers of that hand are useless. It’s a good thing I only type with two fingers or I’d really be in trouble. When I got up off the ground, there was no one there to say comforting words and ask how I was. I walked slowly and a bit mournfully into the house and cleaned the now bleeding cut and put the swelling fingers under cold water. After I’d finished the first aid, I found holding my hand up made me look silly, but it made my hand hurt less. I’ll take silly over pain any time. Finally I got my coffee and carried the cup, papers and my pen outside to the deck hoping the morning would perk me a bit. I took a sip of the coffee, and it had grounds in it. Of course, it had grounds in it. On a morning like today, there had to be grounds. I decided I didn’t want to make another pot so I started reading the paper. Nothing in it was cheery, as usual. The Mid-East, the drought, the budget and Lord knows what else combined to make me feel even worse. Even the Red Sox had lost and Pedroia’s hitting streak had ended. I decided to read the comics and do the crossword puzzle. I couldn’t hold the pen right so my letters were all outside the lines and the words were barely readable. I had a bit of a cry for myself.

I never have days like today. Usually a fall doesn’t bother me at all, even when I break bones. It’s just something I do well. Coffee grounds-no big deal. I’d normally make another pot, but not today. I didn’t dare risk it. I had visions of pieces of glass all over the floor and me stepping in the tiny pieces I’d missed.

My friend Tony called about movie night. I said sure, but I know the tone of my voice belied my words. He’d said he’d barbecue, and I said okay with little enthusiasm then it all spilled out. I even added the part about my iPod, and how I can’t add music or delete it or how iTunes doesn’t even recognize I have an iPod, a really well-named iPod. He brightened my day by inviting me to dinner and drinks. I think I should capitalize the D in Drinks.