Things are looking up, though. We are only coughing about half as much as we were this time last week! We are also thinking of what we want to eat as a menu instead of thinking of what we could eat to just survive. Maybe we will be back to normal before February rolls in!
- What I've Been Reading -
I've done a lot of reading as I was coughing and dozing this past couple of weeks. The reading that stands out consists of three different books.
Three sisters and a long-time restaurant manager inherit a Nantucket restaurant from the women's grandmother. The sisters were not even aware that their grandmother owned the restaurant. So, that was a surprise. The will also stipulated that they must all work there for at least a year. It just so happened that each of the sisters was sort of at a crossroads in their lives. So, the year of work began with each addressing the running of the restaurant using her strengths. It was a bit of a twist on an age-old concept. I enjoyed reading it without a struggle to keep up with what was going on since I was dozing in and out while reading. It made me stop and think about what I might do in such a situation if I was forced to work with relatives to keep a business going. It also made me think and wonder what strengths I have that would support such a venture.
Every family has secrets and this neighborhood is no different. There were a couple of strands of thought going on in this selection. It really prompted me to think about a lot of different things. Do I see beyond physical appearances and really accept people for who they are? If I suspected something was really wrong in somebody else's home, would I do something about it? Do I sometimes accept the version of people that I see at first glance and not give it another thought? Would I take action if put in a life or death situation?
This book has had lots of hype in the reading circles that I follow. So, maybe I was anticipating a bit too much. This was a really good book. It did make an impact on my thinking even though it wasn't earth-shattering and life-changing like some readers have said.
It is described as "a beautifully crafted novel about the power of creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another." I think I kept wanting to have the privileges that Theo had - that deep wealth and opportunities to make a difference to others. As I was reading, it dawned on me that I really do. I may not have unbounded wealth, but I am fortunate and can share what I do have in a purposeful way. Do I do that often enough? Maybe I need to be more creative with my generosity. Maybe I need to look at more ways to live my life in a purposeful way. Maybe I need to create more invisible threads of kindness.
- What I've Been Watching -
One thing is for certain, our television has been on and playing almost 24 hours per day and seven days per week since we've been sick. Have I been watching it? Not all that much. Mike, however, has the television going whenever he is in the house. So, there have been several old westerns like Gunsmoke and Bonanza playing. Never mind that all of these shows have been viewed by him before. Heck, half the time he is reading or watching something on his phone instead of paying attention to the television anyway. He just needs the noise going, I guess. Sometimes he will stream something and it will almost always be something that would fit on The Hallmark Channel. Character has issue and returns to the farm or the small town and an old flame saves the day ending in a happily ever after.
Yesterday morning I mentioned that I was sick of old westerns. So, that afternoon, he pointed out that he was watching something other than an old western. It was Walker, Texas Ranger - program that I thought was pretty fake when it was new. So, I told him that was not a step up, if you ask me. He didn't really seem insulted and just chuckled at my response.
A commercial came on last night while one of the sappy movies was playing. The narrator asked, "Why do you watch live TV?" Then, there were several examples given of options for streaming programs. Mike asked me how I would answer that question and my response was, "It is for mindless entertainment for me." Then, I turned the question back to him. He chuckled and said, "I guess just to aggravate you!"
- What I'm Loving -
This week I've been loving cozy quilts and coverlets. I can wrap up and keep warm or kick one off and still be comfy. They wrap around me when I'm on the sofa with my feet propped up on the ottoman or when I'm in a chair with my feet on a footstool. Mike has done the same.
We've also been thankful for food delivery. We had a local grocery deliver food and drinks to help keep us hydrated and medicines like cough syrup to help with the incessant coughing. Bridgette had soup delivered and a humidifier with some eucalyptus oil as well. We've ordered from several restaurants to have comfort food delivered such as chicken-n-dumplings, pizza, and pot roast with mashed potatoes. It was so nice to have a good hot meal without having to cook! We are fortunate and truly blessed.
I've also been loving different hot drinks. I start the day with hot decaffeinated tea laced with honey and lemon. I usually end the day with a cup of hot cocoa I mix up and sip on just before falling asleep in the chair wrapped in a quilt. I've also been thankful that I mixed up some home-style spiced tea before Christmas. I gave some for gifts but I had some extra little jars and I have mixed that up for sipping some throughout the day. Here is the recipe I used:
Spiced Tea Mix
- 2 cups Tang powder
- 1 cup Instant unsweetened tea granules
- 1 cup lemonade powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Store in airtight container. Mix 2-3 teaspoons into a cup of boiling water.
While we are muddling through around here, not all has been horrific. We are grateful to be retired and not having to be concerned with taking off work to wallow in our sickness. We are grateful to have a nice home to hole up in and isolate from the world. We are thankful for the conveniences we enjoy. We really do look forward to shaking this mess off and getting back into a more active life.
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