It is so warm here.
So sunny.
So bloomy.
So nice…
Blooming things make everything look beautiful, don’t they?
I am being extra good.
Sun, rest.
Tea, vitamins & medicine.
Sweet succulent oranges…
I could eat bowls and bowls of sweet oranges, you?
Warm toast.
Missing Mammie most when I am not 100%.
Lovee asks, what does she do, that I can’t do for you?
(Umm helooo? Is he insane?)
Well for one, she would bring me Tang with a straw.
Mister Lovee says, Tang is not orange juice.
(he is a health nut – who loves sweets)
And I say, yes, but I like Tang when I am sick.
(never mind that I have not had it in 20 years)
Then I say, and she would bring me little crackers with perfectly cut pieces of yellow cheese.
And 7-up with a straw.
(never mind that I don’t really love cheese)
She would make me soup, and toast, and and and…
(even though I have had soup and toast)
I say this through a congested nose, a barely audible voice, and lots of soppy wet tears.
But mostly tears because my head is stuffed up like a water balloon.
Then Mister Lovee says, well, Mazel Tov to you.
(in his most hilarious tone)
Then he asks…….
Do you want some salsa and corn chips?
Me – quizzical look on face.
I say, no, no thanks.
Wondering to myself if chips and salsa are supposed to make you feel better?
Wondering if there is something I simply don’t know?
Haha!
But in all honesty, Mister Lovee has been grand, delivering water and tea and medicine and boxes of kleenex. We just had to keep him at a distance so he wouldn’t catch anything as well.
When I got a little flutter of feeling better, I conjured up my Mom, and made a tray of goodies like she would, just for me.
From Mombie.
For pretend, but still for reals.
(Mister Lovee hates it when I say “for reals” – I don’t say it that often)
I called her and told her that I made myself a Mombie tray.
And by golly.
It fixed me up.
I am sure of it!
Large poppies included.
And some other garden treats.
If that doesn’t fix you up –
Well.
Then.
Call Lovee, he’ll bring you chips and salsa, or anything you want.
As he says 🙂
There are Tinkerbell flowers everywhere in the garden.
Curious specimens!
And, lots of lavender.
Mmmmmmmm…
Oh, it feels good to breathe!
I had not been sick with a flu/cold in 5 or so years.
I was so proud of that.
But, this time….
It kicked my tooshie.
And I had certainly, never had the flu.
I thought that I had the flu in my life.
People always say they have the flu, when they have a cold.
Boy, did I find out how different the flu is from the common cold.
After this last adventure with the real flu, I am sure, I had never really had the flu.
Horrible thing.
Scary too.
If you have the flu, I hug you.
Now, make sure you wash your hands any chance you get.
No hands in mouth or eyes or face.
Follow all the tips for not getting the flu.
Okay?
I am obsessive about these things, and I still got it.
But, we have to try to keep the germs at bay 🙂
My Dad and I had it at the same time, so we got to whine about our ailments over the phone everyday. Or at least tried through coughing fits.
He had a great nurse.
My Mammie.
Lucky duck!
But he only got the flu.
I got the flu for a few days, then I got a sneezing head cold on top of it.
Mister Lovee and the boys were extra busy while I was hacking up a lung.
They put irrigation in the vegetable garden!!
YAY!!!
Being really really sick makes you have all of these midnight thoughts.
Right?
Thoughts about being a better person.
Taking better care of yourself.
Following you dreams more.
Listening to you heart.
You make plans at 3 a.m. as you drift in and out of consciousness.
A couple nightmares.
A couple shezam moments.
A lot of desperation to get well.
A lot of wanting to not take things for granted.
That’s the biggest perk, to a cough that makes you shudder.
I suppose the majorest perk though, is getting better.
Oh yes.
Mmmmm.
Breathing is so nice!
House disinfected.
Time for some gooooodness!
Just a little way from being totally back to myself.
Hooooray!
Love, V
Oh and, extra thanks to Mister Lovee, for taking care of orders, and making post office visits.
ps: My Granny heard I was sick, and wanted to call in the cavalry! She tells my mom, you must go get her. You must bring her “home.”
My mom says to her mom, she is in her home.
Then she says to my granny –
Are you kidding?
Vanessa would be kicking and screaming, she won’t come with me if I go get her.
Then my mom asks me, would you?
And I go, heck no, through laughter.
Then I say –
I wanna be in my own bed – plus, I don’t want you to get sick.
And my mom says, ya, I knew it.
🙂
Isn’t that hilarious? Grandmas are the bestest. They always see you as a 5 year old baby.
I love it.
Makes you feel loved.
Oh, Vanessa. Hope your on your way to well!
I’ve had the flu and it knocks your socks off!
Keeps drinking those fluids and eating those oranges. Thanks for such a lovely post while you’re on the mend! And – irrigation in your veggie garden? Mr. Lovee is something else. But then, so are you. Feel better!
*you’re* ;0)
I soooo totaly relate to drinking with a staw when sick, it is an absolute requirement for recovery!!
Drink clear fluids until you can’t and then drink more… It will flush out all those nasties. Mr. Lovee may have a point about the salsa. A little hot chilli in the salsa will loosen up the sinuses and help them drain. Yeah, I know, ewwww grossss but it just had to be said. Think of it as a natural decongestant. :o)
The picture of Mr. Lovee and the boys is wonderful. Big brother fur baby is totally supervising the job at hand and baby brother fur baby is looking off into the distance thinking, “Isn’t it time to play yet!”
Thoughts and prayers to you for a speedy recovery from the nasties.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Great post once again, V. My mother has said for the past oh, say, 40 years…”I’ve got that flu again.” During this period she may have had it twice. I don’t get the mixup betwixt flu and cold. Wake up people. *smiles* Norma
It is the love and caring that set your immune on mend!!!! and all those beautiful flowers around you cant hurt. Get better very soon, the world needs you….🖤Debi
Poor poor Miss V! I’m glad you’re feeling better and I heed your warning.
Hope you are well soon! Up here it’s all allergies!
My mom used to give us straight 7-up from the bottle (room temperature) in a cup with a straw when we were sick, and saltine crackers. I think it was her love that made us get better…nothing like a mother’s love. Yes, it’s a bummer when you’re sick and in bed with lovely weather outside. What rotten luck! All I know is, I sure sprayed a lot of Lysol this past winter and it did keep some of the bad bugs away. I am almost a fanatic when it comes to washing my hands to keep germs away…probably twenty times a day when someone is sick in our house.
Your photos of the flowers are glorious…and for Mr. Lovee to put irrigation in the vegetable garden is a godsend.
Yeah, the real flu is scary, hope you get well soon and get back to normal. Thank you for your sweet email about my son’s music for ‘Kat’s Theme’… He is so thrilled and brought over a copy of the sheet music for it today. He finally has the capability to print out his own sheet music from his computer. Yes!!!
I know how thrilled you are for your brother Adam and what he is accomplishing with his videos and music. It is just so rewarding to see these guys succeed in what they like doing.
Take care, like I know you are, and get well soon.
hugs, and may you dream of fairies and stars…no nightmares!~
Miss Teresa
I’m sorry you have been so sick, but sounds like you had the best care. Hope you are feeling much better soon. It seems like being sick in winter isn’t as rough as in warm weather.
I’ve had the flu and felt like I was dieing. I never get the flu anymore because I get a flu shot every year. I work with kids with weakened immune systems and don’t want to give them anything. Our facility tries to get everyone to get flu shots. I wash my hands all the time.
Spicey stuff seems to be good for opening up the nasal passages. So Mr. Lovee may have been on the right track. Looks like a great irrigation system.
Get well soon.
I forgot to tell you I bought a bag of the best oranges the other day. They are so good.
And my grandaughter has been sick several times when she has been staying here, I think she loves having her own private nurse nannie:)
Vanessa, your writing is so funny and was so fun to read, as I am in bed with a cold : ( Sorry for your double whammy (the flu too?!) Glad you are on the mend. Your flowers make ME feel a little better : )
Appreciated your post as, here I sit, not one but 2 major projects half done (translate: messy house)and…stuffed up, coughing, scratchy throat oh dear God was I run over by a truck or what feeling! Hubby out of town of course (we won’t mention he’s gonna be gone 2 holidays and my birthday!—so no nurse for me…!) on top of only 6 cats who are more concerned about when they are going to eat-2 hrs. before time–)than if momma is still among the living. There. When I finish my coffee-back to bed with me. Hope we BOTH feel better soon!
Miss Vanessa, your blog makes me smile.
When I was little and was sick, my mom use to give me ginger ale and I would drink it through a glass straw. It was the best. I hope you feel all better soon.
Me thinks that we two must have drunk from the same brew. For I too have had the flu ‘-O. Well! maybe not the flu but the hacks, coughs, congested nose and all those things that flow from the nose…eewww!!! Do you think it could have been those stolen berries from those faeries down by the river’s edge? Me thinks could possibly have been…I am so sorry my friend. But thankfully you have a Lovee Man to feed you salsa and chips from his hands…hee hee!!!
I’m so glad you’re feeling better my Fanciful Friendling!!
much love to you…aaaaccchhhoooooo!!
Sending motherly hugs.
I am glad that you are feeling better Vanessa! Tea has a way of doing that to people 🙂 And so does a special little routine (inspired by you mother, of course) to set things sraight. Also, glad to see that the garden is doing well, as always. You take such good care of everything and spend so much time nurturing the little blooms it would be a shame not to see them flourish!
Also, I have to say that I just love your other blog too–Through the Secret Keyhole–and I was wondering if maybe you would consider doing another post there soon? It’s just so enchanting! I love it 🙂
I hope you and your family stay healthy for the Easter season!
Now it is April and you should be feeling almost normal again. Sorry to hear you were sick. Loved your post and pictures.
So sorry to hear you’ve still been sick – but isn’t it wonderful to have someone special tend to you? 🙂 Even though your Mister might not quite get what you crave, he still tries – and that’s what counts. 🙂 Sending lots of love and healing wishes your way!!! 🙂 xoxo
Sorry to hear about your under-the-weatherness Miss V! That’s harsh. I am glad your Mombie tray fixed you up. Mom’s are the best, even if their presence is only imaginary. Now that you’re feeling better you have to go out and enjoy the fresh blooms and lovely weather. In fact, enjoy it two-fold for me because it’s freezing here.
My mom always gave me Tang with a straw when I was sick too! I still drink it every time I have a cold, my own personal Airborne.
I am fresh back from my very first art retreat weekend, and it is a bit hard to get back to reality! I just had to check in on my Vanessala. I am so sorry you are sickly. Such sweetness that you made yourself a Mombie tray. When I am sick I like to say, “I need a mama,” so I understand exactly what you mean. Get well soon, sweet V!
Your “Mombie Tray” made me miss my gram who gave me hot Jello (red, of course) when I was ailing, and a spoonful of Mentholatum (plus some on my chest and throat). Menthie is not to be ingested, the jar warns, but Gram knew better than that.
So glad you’re better, my dear.
Salsa and chips? I’ll try that next time I’m sick.
Gorgeous photos! They look like they are from a secret garden hideaway! Simply lovely.
xoxo
Janee
http://www.yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com
I’m so glad you are feeling much better now, Dearest Dear Vanessa!
The flu is horrible (I had it twice this year, how was I so lucky?)! Reading about your Mr. Lovey trying to make your sick-bed snacks and seeing your Mombie tray made giggle! My Mr. V is learning some of the special things that I want when I am sick, but mostly, he is learning how to make extra-mushy buttered macaroni, which was my favorite (as my mother never really knew how to make pasta properly!). I always have to remind him to make sure it is over-done, please. And lots of ginger ale with lots of ice. Not the most nutritious things, but it’s all I want if I am really sick! And just like you and your Mombie tray, we are “in the pink of health” once again!!
Biggest hugs to you,
Betty
I’m so glad you are better, V girl!!
Isn’t it great that winter and spring are CITRUS MONTHS?! I love all our Meyer lemons and the sweet oranges we get at the market and eat like candy. We slice everything, then quarter the slices, then pop them into our mouths and let juice get everywhere.
Oh, I know…
Cleaned out orange shells with confetti!!! HAA!
A golf ball, then confetti packed tight, then glue the orange peel back together very carefull, then offer it to someone.
If all this works out, you’re getting royalties. You realize that, don’t you?