By Monty Siekerman
I had a middle finger problem, but this ain't no story where I admit to a shrink that I need help, advice, counseling.

It was a garden accident.

That's all I'm going to say. (Well, there were 11 stitches.) In time, the injury healed.

But the ribbing was constant, especially when friends and foe saw the erect middle finger bandaged (big bandage) in neon yellow. And, the digit had a splint on it for 10 days.

There was no way to hide it. It stood out like a sore thumb.

When you temporarily lose the use of a middle finger, or other body part, you come to appreciate what you took for granted. (I'm not talking about picking your nose.)

• When you try to open a door, it hurts.
• When you try to shave, the injury is inconvenient.
• You can't mow, the vibration is painful.

I found the middle finger is important for several of life's routine actions.

How do you use your middle finger?