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June 23, 2010 might have turned out to be a night like any other night. It was about 8 pm. An eerie almost full moon back-lit the sparse clouds making them seem to pop off the grey sky. Ok enough. I guess I’ve provided sufficient atmosphere: It was on this night that I passed one of the most important milestones in my life. I killed my 20th scorpion.
After living in my tiny cinderblock/tin roofed hut for over a year, I still haven’t found the scorpion magnet, though I know it’s there somewhere. I say this because there is always and without fail a scorpion waiting for me there. Time has allowed me to recognize the scratching sound of the exoskeleton against the metal trunks where I keep my clothes, the tiny form curled into any available crevice, hoping that I won’t notice.
And so the night of the 23rd started normally. I crossed the threshold of my door, blissfully ignorant of what evil lurked within. Then I saw him. Or her. Whatever. It was crawling slowly – oh the audacity – across the middle of the floor. I reached behind me to the right side of the door where I keep my trusty “scorpion killing stick.” It knew its days were numbered, but I tried to make it quick and painless. There you have it folks, straight from the source.
On this momentous occasion, there are a few people I’d like to thank:
First, I extend my greatest appreciation to my brothers and honorary brother for their love of scaring me to death with monster masks as a small child. Their sheer disregard for my potential emotional scarring while telling stories of ghosts or things coming out of the woods to get me, have almost given me an affinity towards all things creepy. They have helped make me the woman I am today.
Also, how can I forget my Senegalese brother Mbarou, who tought me everything I needed to know about scorpion killing and who also designated the “scorpion killing stick,” because really, there’s no way I would have thought of that myself. Without him, this would not have been possible.
Last but not least, I would like to acknowledge the loving support of my mom and dad.
Thank you all.
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Well, that’s some good news!! Hmmm, could these critters be an undiscovered delicacy? JUST DON’T GET BITTEN!
Comment by M&D July 1, 2010 @ 1:01 am“I think it’s really great” –
Comment by DAD July 1, 2010 @ 1:07 amEnjoyed reading this. Scorpions are creepy critters PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!–
Comment by Mom July 1, 2010 @ 1:15 ami imagine that you have all the dead scorpions mounted on your wall like some sort of desert-version of a hunting cabin. what if instead of killing 20 scorpions, you have critically injured the same scorpion 20 times?
Comment by CBB July 2, 2010 @ 3:02 pmI felt your last entry too serious for someone like me to make my usual comments. So… You have something in common with “The Rock” only you are ” The Scorpion Queen”. What? They don’t make scorpion swatters there? You’re forced to use a stick?!? I’m glad that you are doing well even though you are apparently living in the most dangerous and infested place on the planet. By the way, scorpions can be trained to do laundry.I know this. For now I really must go but continue to do well and Happy Hunting. Your honorary brother, Ndanny
Comment by danny parker August 18, 2010 @ 10:22 pm