When I came back from my dad's, J. was getting a hard cold. Half my choir has been sick, too. I had a few sniffles but seemed to be avoiding it: I consumed zinc, and echinacea, and was pleased. My nose got stuffier, and one day my limbs ached, but the next day I felt fine; I went to choir rehearsal, and sang on Sunday, my voice seemingly unaffected.
But there had been several restless nights when sleep had come but wouldn't stay. I woke on Monday, turned over, groaned, and went back to sleep until 10:00 am -- unheard-of for me -- and stayed home. A day of total rest, though? No, that would have been too radical. I made carrot soup and an apple crisp; I cleaned and weeded my closet and switched the summer and winter clothes; organized the plants that had been brought in from the terrace before the frost.
Today I woke with my sinuses pounding, but took a hot shower and bundled up and came to work anyway. As the morning went on, my head hurt more and more, and although I made myself eat something, I felt sick to my stomach; the cat and I retreated to the studio couch and I fell asleep. When I woke I felt considerably better, and even hungry, and have stayed put all afternoon, drinking weak tea and eating toast and listening to Manon purr. Upstairs, the pianist played Chopsticks, and then bits of the Moonlight Sonata; his child dragged a heavy object back and forth across the floor. We worked with our far-away client via email; a problematic graphic was resolved. Swathed in an old thermal blanket, I read a poetry manuscript for the third time. The cat lay on my lap, utterly contented; I lifted the end of her tail to her face and she happily groomed while I held it, biting the end with little nips of her sharp teeth.
It's been that kind of weekend/week... Days on the couch with a cat are the best (except for the part about being sick). Prends du mieux rapidement!
Posted by: Martine | October 29, 2013 at 04:59 PM
Hope you feel better soon, Beth! xo
Posted by: Ivy | October 29, 2013 at 05:45 PM
Sorry to hear about your being indisposed Beth. Enjoy your recovery; I'm sure Manon would some more of the same. She probably thinks it's all for her benefit anyway. Bless you both.
Posted by: Tom | October 29, 2013 at 06:08 PM
This is a wonderful vignette, Beth. I loved reading it. And, I hear you met my friend Beverley recently. ;-)
Posted by: Teresa | October 29, 2013 at 07:37 PM
As I read, thought of my former secretary (in the days when such a position was called that). As that Long Island native would say, "Feel bettah."
Posted by: Duchesse | October 29, 2013 at 08:29 PM
beth - get well soon! that cold is nasty and you need lots of rest. let me know if you would like some soup...
Posted by: krish | October 29, 2013 at 09:23 PM
Wishing you a quick recovery, Beth. Enjoy a bit of lounging and reading and cat stroking. And you managed a lovely post today!
My cold took weeks to get over so I don't wish that on anyone!
Posted by: Marja-Leena | October 30, 2013 at 01:37 AM
What makes all this agony more poignant is you're a working stiff; we the grey retired can hardly distinguish between ailment and good health. And does it matter? I like to think reading that poetry MS was significant - even if the reading was inconclusive. Illness and music (as recreation) don't always work, but if there's a crack in the gloom there is, too, the flute and harp concerto. They used to play it as a wake-up call on the overnight ferry between Portsmouth and Caen, the perfect aubade. The Gallic world beckoned. En fest' Burg and all that.
Posted by: Roderick Robinson | October 30, 2013 at 06:48 AM