feeling idiotic (pronounce eye-dot-ic for katie)

I used to tease my sister that she had accidents all the time. She broke her finger while swimming and got a head laceration while trying to catch a ball in softball. She shut a window on her toe. and locked her jaw when yawning. But even though I tease her, she has been a good sport about it - especially as, it seems, I actually have some pretty good 'accidents' of my own.

There was the time when our family and friends all went to a concert at the fair. There had been rain and a lot of mud. Do you see where I am heading? I lectured all the kids to be careful and not slip, and then totally lost my own footing, wiping out thoroughly - yes, covered in mud.

Another incident involved the breaking of my little finger (picture a break that includes a right angle) when I tried to catch a basketball thrown by one of my children. It was bouncing low to the ground and I hit my finger on the gym floor.

But the newest episode was just as silly. This past week I went to the park with my two daughters and grandchildren. I was pushing a stroller (an empty one I believe) towards a bench. My head was down looking at the stroller and it must be admitted that my hair was in my face too, but I basically ran full face into an iron rod. Right at eye level - one I should have seen - but instead I bounced off it like a rubber ball. It was slapstick at its best. I now sport a small black eye and a little more understanding of the word 'accident' - at least as it relates to my sister - or myself.