96 with lifter noise

[blkmonday]

i have a96 sts with a north* with 100k. its been in my garage for about a month because of the cost of gas, ive been driving my cavalier. i havent started it in about a month. today was nice out so i figured id pull it out and wash and wax it and drive it this weekend. it almost sisnt start..battery was weak, but when it did there was a big puff of blue smoke and one of the lifters sounded like it was sticking. it was tapping rather loudly (definately sounded like a lifter) after a few revs it went away.....should i be scared?...i noticed the oil was down over a quart. i filled it and it seems ok. just wandering if this is an introduction to a bigger problem or should i just not let the car sit for a month without running it for a bit and keep it lubed up. any advice would be appreciated...thanks