One Year Later

Crunching Numbers

It started as a temp job—I’d be employed as Sister’s Administrative Assistant for maybe two or three weeks.  Then it turned into five weeks, three months, half a year, nine months, and eleven and three quarters months.  Calendar pages flew by as did St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

With Sister, I’ve participated in dozens of meetings (both on screen and via audio feed), am beloved by librarians throughout Long Island, and am asked for by name by vendors across the country.  I’ve appeared on library advertising and even attended Sister’s office video holiday party!

And while doing all that, I also took on a couple of more “temp” jobs, working with both Ma and Pa.

Waiting for the Day to Start

I’m always there for my co-workers—providing companionship and reminders that they should take their 15 minute breaks (according to my schedule, of course).  But I’m not a pushover; I’m a tough co-worker.  I make sure that their days start on time and lunch breaks don’t go a minute over.  If they need a laugh, I’m always up for stealing a shoe, shoving a toy in their face, or having a vivid dream at an inappropriate moment.  And if things get too quiet, I’m there howling and barking my head off.

Today marks my one year anniversary as Sister’s Administrative Assistant (the anniversaries of my side hustles as Ma and Pa’s assistant are coming up in the days and weeks ahead).  Who knows how long these gigs will continue, but as long as my desk (AKA my pillow) is there, so will I.

 

Tastes Like Chicken

Did you know that there’s a breed of squirrel that lives on eastern Long Island that can regenerate its tail?

Now, I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking, “Rigby, there’s no such thing as a squirrel that regenerates its tail.  If it loses its tail, it doesn’t grow back (see Stumpy).  You’re thinking of those little green lizards you have back at home; like that one you caught all those years ago who jettisoned its tail in your mouth to escape.  You know, the lizard that launched this blog?”

Well, I most certainly have not forgotten about that lizard (or the disgusting wriggling tail I got stuck with), but how else can you explain the fact that twice now I have found the very tip of a squirrel tail lying in the middle of my backyard and yet I have not found a single local squirrel missing part of its tail (and believe me, I chase after every squirrel that crosses my path just to check)?

Anyway, whether it is a mythical breed of squirrel with a regenerating tail or a few seriously unlucky and elusive squirrels that keep losing their tails to horrors unknown, I think we can all agree that it is really creepy to find squirrel pieces scattered across your yard looking for all the world like pom-poms on a craft table. 

But there’s more.  Not only are bits of squirrel tails creepy when they’re littered throughout the yard, but they’re also really tasty (though the fur’s a bit off putting).   Yes, you read that right: Pa found me chewing on the latest bit of squirrel.