Wednesday, December 29, 2010

COUGH! COUGH! I'M BAAACKKK…COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!

This starling looks about like I feel—shaky of stance, overfluffed, prone to the shivers,
and about an inch away from a bad attitude.

It's good to have goals—a fellow needs something he can work towards, dream about, hope to accomplish. For the past few days, my goal has been to sit before this computer and fire off a victory post…MAN TRIUMPHS OVER MICROBES!  

Well, here I am, though I gotta tell you, those were some dandy pathogens. Super Bugs if ever I encountered one. We whipped and whumped, gouged eyes, bit ears, and fought one another tooth and nail, from Christmas Eve until this very afternoon—but the battle wasn't so much won as it was the participants on both sides just plumb wore out and agreed to call it a draw. 

I finally made it down the hall to my writing room. Even stuck my head outside earlier. And it's been a whole quarter-hour since my last coughing fit. So I wanted to use this new-found burst of strength to report in…before I toodle off to actually examine a number of Christmas presents I barely managed to get out of their wrapping paper Saturday. I will write more tomorrow…
———————

30 comments:

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

You were missed, Grizz. Glad to hear you're on the mend. My hubby's been sick since Christmas, too. Not fun. By the way, amazing photo of the starling. Doesn't look real, actually.

Jain said...

Poor Grizz! I'm sorry you've been down 'n' out. Hope you feel much better soon!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Grizz: So sorry to hear you had to battle with a cold over Christmas. What a bummer! Seems to me you were talking about a bad cough only a couple (few?) months ago ... Do take care of yourself!
I want to say something about the last time I had a cold - but Murphy might be in the room! ;-)

THAT PHOTO is SPECTACULAR!!! I just love it and would have that one framed and hanging where all could see.

Arija said...

Hooray!!! It is good to know you are back on your pins again, however weakened they may be. Don't think you have been forgotten during your misery, I have looked in on you quite often but you were either asleep or so miserable I did not dare disturb you.

Calf's foot jelly and chicken broth should get your strength up again and plenty of honey (and rum) for that cough.

For the New Year, I wish you ENOUGH: enough health, love, happiness and the simple things we need to survive as well as enough work to make you feel the pleasure of achievement.

May the Angels smile on you and your dear ones throughput the coming year!

Love and Blessings . . . Arija

Grizz………… said...

Linda…

I began with scratchy throat Christmas Eve, progressed to runny nose and sneezing by bedtime, woke up Christmas morning aching, sneezing, coughing and feeling miserable—and when downhill from there throughout the day. And the next two days were more of the same only worse. I've spent the entire days in bed, or on the couch, or sitting up in a wobbly manner for brief times in front of the fire…at least I think there was a fire on the grate some days. However…and this is a BIG HOWEVER…I feel a lot better tonight.

That starling is not only real but was sitting on my stone deck glaring at me inside as I took his photo. I glared back.

Grizz………… said...

Jain…

I do feel lots better tonight, and thank you for asking. You still baking bread?

Grizz………… said...

Bonnie…

Anything I get—from a headache, to a hangnail, to hoof-and-mouth—tends to eventually turn into a cough…and this time it came with a double serving of congestion. My chest and diaphragm muscles are incredibly sore from coughing so much.

But, I'm well on the mend, and glad to be.

That was definitely a starling with attitude…

Grizz………… said...

Arija…

Thank you for your thoughtful care—I'm sure it helped me get well quicker. Even if I lacked the calf's-foot jelly.

And your wishes for just enough is perfect—and absolutely to my way of thinking. Enough is always all it takes, right? And excess is wasteful, better given to those whose need has yet to be met. Nope, yours is the perfect wish…

Thank you, really.

Cicero Sings said...

Next time you feel even a hint of a malady coming on, dose up with Oregano Oil. Often you can ward the thing off. Manys the time I have anyway. so sorry you were sick. Not nice to be sick at any time -- as I remember the last cold that grabbed hold of me. Ugh! Wishing you a speedy recovery and health for the rest of the year.

Rowan said...

Oh Grizz I'm so sorry you've been suffering, what a way to spend Christmas! The photo of the starling is just great as are the words describing it - and you:) Get well soon!

The Solitary Walker said...

I knew you were doing too much before Christmas (he said in a mother hen, clucking kind of way).

Get well soon, Grizz! (BTW, loved the self-portrait.)

Jenn Jilks said...

I know how you feel! I contracted whooping cough and it was awful. An hour in emergency, and I was home with a Rx for some lovely meds. Mostly better, but not totally. My granddaughters gave me the bug when I babysat them. My ex-husband babysat them the next night (the kids had respective Christmas parties!) and he got this, too! Equal opportunity bug...

Grizz………… said...

Cicero…

I'm feeling a lot better—not over it yet, and weak, but much, much better.

You know, this thing just sort of sunk up on me…we were standing in the lobby of the church where we were to meet family and friends for a Christmas Eve program…my nose started "tickling" along with the throat. By the time the service was over I was under full assault…and things went downhill from there in a hurry.

Grizz………… said...

Rowan…

Christmas Day was one of those times when you're there in both mind and body—but just not in the same place; more like two different balloons floating some distance above reality.

Afterwards, I just crashed. But I'm doing lots better.

Glad you liked my starling pix.

Grizz………… said...

Solitary…

Yeah, I kinda figured my frantic pace would trip me up sooner or later…but it was like a runaway sled on an ice-covered hill—completely out of control. All I could do was hold on and wait for the crash.

The upside, once I got past the worst of things—though still felt bad enough that any foray beyond the bed or couch was too much of an expedition—was that I managed to read three or four novels in pretty much a straight shot…something I seldom manage any more.

I'm on the mend, though in truth, that ferocious starling could probably whip me.

Grizz………… said...

Jenn…

Whooping cough? Wow! I'm glad I took care of that disease in childhood. I did manage chicken pox as an adult, which is a tale worthy of a full post—and an experience never to be wished on your worst enemy.

I think it's appropriate your ex came down with the bug, too. Seems only fair.

George said...

Sorry to hear that you are still fighting the bug, Grizz. Perhaps the New Year will restore you to complete health. My best wishes for a speedy recovery, and Happy New Year!

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ

So sorry your Christmas was over-shadowed with a nasty cold and cough 'bug'. :-(
Hope you get to enjoy your gifts now and 'feel' the joy of Christmas instead of being at war with the 'cold-bug'.
Rest and stay hydrated.
Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Grizz………… said...

George…

I know it sounds crazy…but though I felt somewhere between awful and miserable during Christmas, deeply ensconced in one of those survival funks—nevertheless, I had a delightful and blessed Christmas, and I enjoyed it very much.

New Year's Eve is pretty low-key here—just a quiet meal, no partying. So that shouldn't be a problem. With luck, I'll be feeling good come the new year.

Happy New Year to you, my friend.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

I hope you had a great family Christmas—food, fun, lots of gifts and laughter. I hope, too, everyone was in good health and spirits.

It was a bummer being in such bad shape for Christmas Day with the family—plus I didn't get to fix all the foods I'd planned, though Lord knows, we had enough to feed many times over. But part of the fun for me is the abundance…a table and sideboard and every other nearby flat surface covered in dishes of good things to eat. That's how a feast should be.

But, I'm on the improve—and will rest as much as possible and drink my liquids.

ellen abbott said...

What a great photo. Sorry you have been ill. It's been here too though not me. Husband succumbed to something. first night without a coughing fit last night.

Kelly said...

Hahaha....glad you are back amongst the living! Sounds you had what I had earlier this month. I'm still not 100% in the energy stores. I ended up on antibiotics and steroids! Blech...never had to do a steroid regime before. Stay well and rest up. Happy New Year!

Grizz………… said...

Ellen…

I'm still hacking and coughing, however the coughing fits appear to have subsided. The stuff is hard to shake off, though.

Glad you like the pix.

Grizz………… said...

Kelly…

Well, I hope whatever I have doesn't hang on like yours has—nor do I want a round of steroids. I say we get well and stay that way!

Happy New Year!

P.S. Loved the robin!

Rusty said...

Oh my, yes - I think that frosty starling was sharing your feelings. I'm happy to hear you are on the mend. I think it's time to wish you a Happy,(AND HEALTHY)- new year, Griz. ATB!

Grizz………… said...

Rusty…

Kindred spirits, that starling and I…or at least a mutual awareness of comparable moods.

Thank you, as always, and the best of New Year wishes to you.

Bernie said...

Sorry you caught that terrible bug Grizz, so many have it. Be well my friend and Happy New Year.....Hugs

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Thank you, I am back and feeling better—not quite over the hump yet, but expect to be by the first of the week.

Hope you're doing well, too…and Happy New Year!

Jayne said...

Ugh! Poor Grizz and Ladylove. Not a great time (as if there is one) to be down for the count. Hope the New Year brings new health and continued happiness!

Grizz………… said...

Jayne…

Being sick does impact those around you…it wasn't just MY sleepless night due to coughing, it was Myladylove's, too, and Moon the Dog's.

But thankfully, the worst seems to be over.

Happy New Year to you and yours, and thank you so much for your visits and comments here.