Lately, I have gotten more and more into bicycling. The reasons are many, including the wonderful weather, the price of gas, the greenhouse effect, and the need for more exercise. At any rate, it has been a lot of fun dusting off, fixing up, and riding my bicycles (yes, plural -- I used to ride a lot when younger!). My other summer activity has been managing the ground pests that are trying to take over my home. In the past, it has been the squirrels and more lately the chipmunks. But as you may know, chipmunks actually are just small squirrels.
Well, FreeLooseDirt sent me the following story. I think I need to take it as an omen....
Squirrel in spokes floors cycling opera singer
Tue Sep 5, 2006 8:33 AM ET
HELSINKI (Reuters) - A squirrel scampered into the bicycle wheel of an unlucky Finnish opera singer, causing him to fall, knock himself out and break his nose just ahead of the world premiere of a new opera.
Esa Ruuttunen was pedalling his way to the Helsinki Opera House last month when the squirrel ran into his spokes.
The singer ended up concussed and in a local hospital, rather than at his rehearsals for the Finnish opera Kaarmeen hetki (Hour of the Serpent), which opens on September 15.
"He is not yet singing in rehearsals, but thinks he will be able to perform at the world premiere," Finnish National Opera spokeswoman Heidi Almi told Reuters.
The squirrel died in the accident.
p.s., I googled for images of "squirrel and bicycle" and actually came across a number of photos on the web of bicycle/squirrel collisions. However, I chose the wiser path to not post any of these pics. Don't want to anger the squirrel gods.
Squirrels can be mean. I've seen them jump on my friend in my own house. LONG story.
Posted by: papa2hapa at September 5, 2006 09:56 PM