Back to the Boot'sics

Fancy summer accessory

"Meet My New Summer Accessory" the subject line read in an email that went out to a few friends a day after my emergency room visit.  Lot's of sirens, a handful of firemen, 8 stitches 6 needles & 3 doctors later I was sent home in one lovely blue boot.  The boot, currently moonlights for a shoe and will remain so for the next two weeks.  Now, before I continue make no mistake, that this is my first boot for summer.  If truth be told, this is my second boot.  My first boot was bulky and had a little button that I could pump up like Jordans from years past.  My 2013 boot is an upgrade.  Like most upgrades this one is sleeker & smaller.  My right foot became acquainted with my first boot in 2007.  It was a Cinco de Mayo incident (allow me to translate: I knocked my foot against a chair after a long night celebrating the fifth of May.)  It took a full day before realizing the foot was broken. After falling in yoga and unable to smoothly roll along in my roller skates (see below) I knew something was awry.  But, my refusal of wearing heels to work confirmed any suspicion.  And like Cinderella having a glass slipper placed on her foot the doctor slid on my 2007 boot.  A few pumps later and I was good to go.

2007 Me on the Right Roller Skating with an Unknown Broken Foot

What went down in 2013:

It was a Monday evening and Bebe Bird and I were heading home from a long day at the park (nice life, right?).  I picked up a few groceries and hooked the plastic (gasp) bags to the back of my stroller. The stroller was toting a sand pale & summer toys.  I was hustling since it was dinner time followed by bed time which, by the end of the day, is my favorite time of day.  When I got to a small intersection during rush hour I was busy watching the cars when crossing the street so they wouldn't run us over & stepped on a broken glass beer bottle cutting the top of my foot a few inches wide and deep. That's New York living for ya.  I sit on a nearby bench parking Bebe Birds stroller so it is facing away from me and facing the street.

People Rally:
A car pulls over to help.  Giving Bebe Bird a book to read while helping me hold my foot up in the air until the ambulance arrives.

The car above drives my groceries and summer toys to my home placing them on our stoop when...

The Fireman arrive.  A few check out my injury.  They clean & wrap up the laceration.  Others went to Bebe Bird.  And Bebe Bird thought the fire department was there just for him.  He loved it.  They shook his hand, gave him high fives and asked him lots of questions.

Papa bird arrives at the hospital before us & takes Bebe Bird home for dinner and bath.

One of my closest friends meets Papa Bird at home.  He hands Bebe Bird over and my friend handles the meal and bedtime.  God bless that chick.

Papa Bird heads back to the hospital to hold my hand.

Z Birds mama was ready to join me on this little hospital excursion revealing that one of her first thoughts was: "I wonder if the ER allows us to have wine and cheese?"

The head of the hospital's podiatry department comes from home.  She stitches me up and sends me on my way.

And all the while life goes on.

We got fancy sipping adult beverages on Manhattan rooftops

Sisters: Bet you can't tell I have the boot on 

We played in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden:

Bebe Bird taking advantage that I can't chase him like I used to be able to

We Danced:


Dancing King from Nicole Keating on Vimeo.

And even saved a turtle:

but my favorite part of the week was witnessing Bebe Bird reenact the incident. He was playing the hero fireman at home.  The cat was as proud as I was.


V.Roc Saves The Day from Nicole Keating on Vimeo.