iWalk.2020.03.11 Goatsheadstew

Following overnight rain, the skies cleared and it seemed as though we would have another fine day. The roll cloud sat defiantly on the Pine Valley Mountains and was to last until the late afternoon. I walked off the asphalt and concrete, both of which are detrimental to long-term walking comfort, and my reward was a sharp reminder from nature to be more careful: I was in a stew with a goats head in my shoe. Cue the Rolling Stones 'Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)' from the album 'Goats Head Soup'. A pair of long tweezers would have been useful.

I do not know how something so small can be so painful. Strictly speaking this was not a goats head, but the term is often used in the Southwest for any of the tiny thorn burrs that are common on desiccated plants such as tumbleweed and other species. Removing this one from my shoe was agonizing. On the only previous occasion that I felt a similara burning pain I had to consult a urologist. Digging it out gave me burning pains in my fingers, too.

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