While I Was Gone

...I coughed a lot.  I blew my nose a lot.  I continue to do both of those things.  A lot.  If you've read this blog for a while, you know that each winter I succumb to a head/chest cold that morphs into something evil.  Today marks three weeks and two days since onset.  Earlier in the week I had thought the end was in sight; Thursday, all symptoms returned.  With a vengeance.  Monday, I'm off to the doctor.  Prolly I should have gone yesterday.

Each year I give up a lot for this illness.  This time it included a two-day professional meeting that I'd really looked forward to, my older grandchildren's winter program, a trip to visit a grandbaby, and a dinner party.  Enough with this.

...I sewed.  Not a lot.  But some.  Right now I'm making some wonderful things that I can't share at present.  Because they are Christmas gifts.  As if you didn't guess that.  I did finish February Fancy and will try to get a photo of it this weekend.

...I watched videos.  Joe and I are presently engrossed in a series we're renting from Netflix, "The House of Eliott," a British series that Bonnie recommended sometime ago.  It is very engrossing.

...I read Corrections by Franzen and wished I'd not wasted my time.  I read Follett's Fall of Giants and liked it.  But it was so huge it tired my hands!

...I spent a lot of time pondering a relationship that was in trouble, ultimately deciding that it really wasn't worth holding onto.  I might write more about this in time because I learned a lot, both about the former friend and about myself and how I respond to mistreatment.

...Sadly, I learned that a very old friend, a wonderful woman I've known since the junior high school library club, was suddenly diagnosed with lung cancer.  This news hit very hard.  There's such a stigma that comes with that disease, that somehow smokers who develop it really don't warrant a lot of sympathy.  I don't think my friend was a smoker; even if she had been, that wouldn't diminish the ache I feel for her.  She was living far away and has returned to Near Philadelphia this week.  I am eager to reconnect and try to give her some support.

...On the heels of that news, a newer friend, one I seldom see but hold dear was discovered to have a malignant colon tumor; she is undergoing treatment and while no real prognosis has been shared, I'm feeling optimistic.  I pretty much have to, in light of the other sick friend.

...I rediscovered matryoshkas and am smitten with them.  I even bought some for someone for Christmas!