I was at the top of the steps looking down at the dirt path to my cabin. I saw my neighbor walking up the path with her head down. She has a vegetable garden down below. I felt a strange and sudden urge overcome me and when she looked up, without much of a thought, I made like a scary monster. I raised my arms over my head and said rawwwwrrrr, with a scrunched face. I happened to be carrying a pair of needle nose pliers in one hand, and a sheet of white typing paper in the other. I scared the living crap out of her. I must have looked like a Yeti.
I didn't anticipate scaring her so badly. I felt bad about it. I apologized. She was somewhat understanding and was half heartily laughing. I quickly changed the subject to coyotes.
"Did you hear the coyotes last night?"
"Yes, I did."
"They're so cool. I love them."
"Me too," she said.
"Some people don't like them."
The conversation wasn't helping. The situation remained awkward.
If I could offer up a piece of advice: scaring your neighbor with a pair of needle nose pliers and a sheet of white typing paper is not recommended.
