Thursday, February 23, 2006

HOT POTATO


what's-in-my-bag504
Originally uploaded by ahford.

Did you ever play that game "hot potato" when you were small? Well, in the past week, my family has been in the throes of a similar sport--except this time the spud in question is a particularly nasty virus.

Yesterday, when I took my eye off the wandering spud for a minute, the thing landed in my lap. Plunk! I've been relegated to the couch ever since, alternately whining that it's absolutely freezing in here, and then fulminating because someone cranked the heat so high. Do these people have any idea how high our gas bill is?

It was you, Mom, my son happily reminds me. Oh yeah. So okay, I'm not the best patient.

In my normal life, I always think it would be fun to spend a day or two on the couch--catch up on my reading, maybe even take in a guiltless hour or two of TV. But I'm here to say, resting your bones amid a nest of blankets and pillows is highly overrated--especially when every bone is an aching one.

But what really amazes me about this experience is the thin and highly permeable wall that separates health and sickness. Yesterday morning, I was practicing Bodokon, running errands, making long lists of things to do, and then (as I do every day) accomplishing about half of them. I was in possession of the world and all its possibilities. By three in the afternoon, I was imprisoned in my body.

And so--as much as I'd like to be reading my favorite blogs, or responding to intriguing comments, finding the right niche in my house to work on my next novel, booking plane tickets to Prague or Portland, or lurching toward the adventures that take place mostly in my mind, I think I'm going to head back to the couch and see what's on TV.

Thanks for listening.

25 comments:

Myfanwy Collins said...

Hope you feel better soon, Patry!

Jean said...

Oh dear. Hope you feel much better soon, Patry! Your verbal agility even when you have a fever is awesome.

Shannon Hopkins said...

I hope you feel better soon. Being sick is horrid.

rdl said...

Feel better soon! boduko?? is that the brother of suduko? I know it's not math.

Richard Lawrence Cohen said...

Jean's right -- your writing when ill is still first-rate.

Do you realize that Neil Young wrote "Down by the River" and "Cowgirl in the Sand" on the same day when he had a 103-degree fever from flu? I just had to tell someone that.

Anonymous said...

Take care, Patry. I'm sure all that downtime will result in something wonderful down the pike. :)

Sharon Hurlbut said...

My family played the same game last week. Get lots of rest and feel better soon, Patry!

MB said...

Oh, pobrecita! You poor thing! I'm amazed you bothered to post. I hope you are feeling better very soon, dear Patry.

And Jean's right. And Richard, too. I love that story about Neil Young, Richard, I'm glad you told somebody!

Anonymous said...

I agree, spending two days on the sofa always sounds so cosy and luxurious - when you are feeling well! And I am sorry to hear you are not. Having the flu simply sucks, heavy head, shivers, achy bones, runny nose and tickly throat, it makes you feel thoroughly out of sorts. Remember your fluids and think of all those people who watch daytime TV all the time, that might just speed up your recovery! I hope you feel better soon :)

Faith Bicknell said...

Oh wow, my ENTIRE family has suffered with the same thing! I was so sick for two days that I only remember bits and pieces of those days.

Get well soon!

Susan said...

yes yes! get better and book a trip to Portland!

Cate said...

Get well soon!

robin andrea said...

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself-- it's true what they say about bed rest, fluids, and sleep-- it really will cure what ails you.

chosha said...

Sometimes it just literally knocks you flat, doesn't it? Hope it doesn't last too long.

Sky said...

if i could find some "i love lucy" re-runs when i am sick, it would surely help me recover. perhaps what they say is true - laughter really does heal.

sending you good wishes for a speedy recovery and some delicious rest while you are residing on the sofa.

Anonymous said...

Feel better. I hate being sick. . .

Zhoen said...

Poor dear. Hot baths. A pinch of cayenne in your tea, or cocoa. My sympathies.

Anonymous said...

Get well soon.

Patry Francis said...

For all your good wishes and kind words...thanks so much. They make me smile, and that has to help.

And Richard, if only my temp would spike a little higher, maybe I could write a song like Neil Young. The only one I've been singing lately has been the whiner's anthem.

Dale said...

Get well soon, Patry!

liz elayne lamoreux said...

oh i hope you feel better soon patry...i hope that this weekend gave you time for plenty of rest, sleep, naps, chicken soup, and another nap...
be well

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Patry Francis said...
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