We’ve been blessed over our 40-odd years together….we don’t
get sick much. But, when we do, inevitably
an ancient contest between us erupts.
The contest…which of us is the sicker…is really an exercise to determine
which of us is going to get the first and most complete pampering from the
other during our emerging discomforts.
This year, it’s a particularly nasty little, late-season flu
bug. Yes, we got the fall shots…those
“enhanced” versions that were purported to cover 8 or 10 “new” strains….or,
maybe that was the pneumonia shot…I forgot which. About 3-days of feeling crummy, followed by a
couple of weeks of endless sinus drainage and coughing.
Now, our particular minuet has no organized rhythm; it being
an ad hoc undertaking from the beginning sniffles, coughs, and aching
joints. But, from the very beginning of
our life together, Wife displayed her usual competitive temperament. She quickly demonstrated that she intended to
be the first of us to be sick each season and, if not the first, she would
damned sure be the sickest.
And so it has been over the decades…..I’m first to get sick
and she quickly trumps me….No by damned, SHE’s the sickest. My protests have always been futile and so,
she’s always gotten the greater share of pampering. Trouble is, Wife is a demanding patient and
this year, she got it first and promptly gave the bug to me.
As a demanding patient, she can also be a monumental
pain-in-the-ass…such as she has been during this most recent bout. I go in to see how she’s doing and ask if she
wants or needs anything. She gives me a
list…..ice, a glass, a bottle of water, a cup of coffee, toast with light coat
of peanut butter and one of those little strawberry jam bottles she ordered
from France for God knows what reason. Now, for most of my life, I have not devoted any effort in trying to remember lists, numbers, or other such short-duration material...the theory being, leave the brain free to think rather than cluttered with much factual minutia.
Years ago, as we were in the early phases of establishing
our respective domestic territories, I suggested that she use a little crystal
bell to let me know if she needs something.
That was a big mistake….that damned bell was ringing constantly until I
threw it out.
Anyway, we're headed into the summer so, it's time to get the eyes checked for the beach season....another sure way to ..... well .... and it's great that our little sob of a bug has departed leaving us none the worse for wear. The kitchen has heated up again, wife is back in gear. Life is good.
So, we’ve evolved into a kind of equilibrium as I suppose most married couples do….one of mutual respect, concern for the other, and a form of rueful capitulation to the other. Well anyway, it’s been 6-years since she saved my life and I suppose it’s only fair that she get the greater share of pampering….but she will never again get another bell !
So, we’ve evolved into a kind of equilibrium as I suppose most married couples do….one of mutual respect, concern for the other, and a form of rueful capitulation to the other. Well anyway, it’s been 6-years since she saved my life and I suppose it’s only fair that she get the greater share of pampering….but she will never again get another bell !
--Adios--
6 comments:
Well, not quite the Patriotic Post that one would expect for
a Memorial Day weekend.
But at least Gus has gotten beyond his writer's block
which can be included in the illness column.
Glad that your wordsmithing is back.
Yet, ar our age, to make our journey last a bit longer,
we have to take available of all the preventive practices;
keep our joints moving and what is left of our brains - stimulated.
Hell, I didn't even think of the proximity of Memorial Day when I wrote this one....just happy to be rid of that bug. You're right about the rest of it...thanks for dropping by. Set up a "Harold Snow" style Facebook account and throw some of your stuff at me in there, where I'm in residence most days...but, if you're stuck on democrat you can be assured that my stuff will piss you off...although I do try to include some general interest material .... flowers, trees, puppies, baby goats, stuff like that.
I remember seeing some of your stuff on baby goats; very cute -- I think it was thrown in with some bowling pictures, of all places!
Haven't ever taken the time to tell you how much I like the pictures that accompany your stories; very ingenious, and some of them are downright hilarious. It's clear that you've made quite an effort to find that stuff.
Thanks for your kind thoughts and for noticing. Yes, the pictures are integral to my thought process and selected for their appropriateness to the article in which they appear. Frequently, a single picture has triggered an entire topic idea and do function as a substitute for the many words that would be required to tie the thoughts together.
If you're laughing, then it's quite likely that I had intended it that way since I'm usually laughing when writing these articles. We took ourselves so seriously all those years ago so, it seems appropriate to conduct this long look back with some of the missing levity as a way to further round-off some of those old sharp corners.
Thanks for writing. Join me on Facebook if you want...I'm there most days doing the same things in much shorter jabs. Beware though...I'm a raving conservative and do hit the politics pretty hard there. That's done to stimulate some conversation and maybe pick a fight or two since about half of us simply don't agree on that topic and whatever I might say there will almost certainly irk.....well, about half of the others.
Looks like Gus has completely reverted back to his role as an insider. This time it's trading behind-the-scenes gossip with his cronies on Facebook. Goodbye to the real world, Gus!
Pretty snarky, Annony. And no idea what you're referencing.
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