I started this list on August 25, 2005, just a few days before we evacuated in advance of Katrina. I’ve added to it slowly over the years and finally I have seven items, enough for a respectable list. The reason it took me so long is because, as we all know, being sick sucks. But I always like to look on the bright side. So, here are my “Good Things About Being Sick.”
- Staying home from work.
- Catching up on some reading.
- Not having to get dressed.
- Sleeping.
- Cold medicine.
- Fever dreams.
- Enjoying your great job benefits.
Of course, your mileage may vary. Those first and last items in particular give me pause to consider how harsh sickness can be depending on your employment situation. A friend who was over at our house the other day had a cough. I noticed it and asked about it. turns out he’s got bronchitis just like me. Only instead of taking time off and resting, he’s working six days a week. “Doesn’t that make it hard to rest up and get healthy?” It sure does. In fact, it seems pretty certain the atmosphere machine shop is what’s making him sick. He comes down with the same symptoms every year. Now Xy seems to be coming down with it, and when I suggested she take some sick leave she scoffed.
Persephone seems to have picked up the cough again. Pretty sure I got it from her in the first place. As for me I’m almost better. Hope I can seal the deal and get all the way well. It would really suck for all three of to be sick at the same time.
My nose is still a bit stuffy, and the cough will be the last thing to go, but I feel 99% back to normal. My joints don’t ache, my eyes have regained their youthful sparkle, and I’m hungry. I subsisted almost entirely on on rice and miso soup last week, so this evening I decided to eat something bad.
Went to the only Greek diner on the Upper West Side that serves bread pudding. Bread pudding is my favorite dessert-slash-comfort food, but there’s rarely any reason to order it in NYC, because it’s one of two dishes that Yankees can’t get right (the other being gumbo).
Was one bite into my stodgy pudding when I noticed that the diner served booze. Ordered a shot of Bourbon, poured it over my pudding, and enjoyed the closest I’ve come to New Orleans bread pudding with whiskey sauce since moving here 41 years ago. Why didn’t I think of this sooner?
Glad you’re feeling better. Know what I rediscovered last week? NyQuil. Good stuff, good stuff.