Blehhhhhrrrrg. . . .
So, what I haven’t been telling you, because it’s so boring.
I have stomach flu. Or whatever. * Felt a little curious during the wedding on Saturday** and got home and . . . here we draw the veil of discretion . . . and I got up the next morning pretending to be better, and I did manage to ring service. The rest of Sunday I don’t even want to think about although I did derive some intense private humour out of the idea of posting a recipe that night.***
Yesterday was definitely better. Oh, whew, I thought.
Today I sprang out of bed smartish because I had to get hellhounds walked so I could go ride Connie. . . .
I cancelled riding Connie.
Despair.
Plus all those other stomach flu symptoms. Blehhhhhrrrrg. Also the ME has come back for a cosy little visit, of course, because that’s what it does. Illness attracts its attention, like rotting meat attracts flies. Silly of me to think I might get away with it. Did tiptoeing past the neighbourhood bully’s house ever work either?
I did get the hellhounds walked, more or less. My heroic deed for the day. On days like these I’m grateful for my Techno Trousers,† although I do have to wear mine, the supplementary gizmo that takes ‘em out by themselves is faulty in my edition. But I crank ‘em up, set ‘em on walk, tie the leads to my nerveless fingers and zone out for about an hour. When I find myself standing in front of the door to the cottage again I assume we’re all walked, and then I prop the Trousers in a corner of the sitting room till we have to do it all over again in the afternoon.
Most of the rest of the day I have spent on the sofa, with hellhounds, reading.†† This is an activity not without enjoyment, although I only ever seem to do it when I’m sick, which is kind of discouraging. I have told you that hellhounds are so much bigger than the previous generation that when we all want to get on the sofa together we need a camp bed for overages. Also Chaos always nails the best spot††† which leaves Darkness to circle the perimeter, looking put upon. He will usually eventually insinuate himself between me and the back of the sofa . . . and today he chose to lie at right angles to the back of said sofa. Whereupon Chaos said, oh, what a good idea, and rearranged himself so that we were a kind of cross of Lorraine . . . with me lying in the gap between the sofa and the bed, in the gap and on the metal tubing of the bedframe. Which furthermore is a good inch or two lower than the edge of the sofa. Ow. I’m the invalid, damn it, be nice to me.
* * *
* Visible symptoms very like the hellhounds’. And I have to say that if they feel like this all the time I’m not at all surprised they don’t want to eat anything. Torture By Food. No! No! Take It Awaaaaaaay!
** And the actual ringing was way more exciting than it should have been. At the time I thought I was just nervous because I was ringing for people I knew and would have to face when I climbed back down out of the tower again.
*** Especially, as it happens, a deep-fried doughnut recipe. Possibly the most memorable stomach flu of my life commenced shortly after the ingestion of an excellent cruller–heavy with frying and frosting–and as a result I couldn’t face it or any of its relatives for years. Just walking past a doughnut shop would make me queasy. I got over this. . . . And I’d already decided that glazed doughnuts was the first honey recipe I wanted to post and I felt too weak to change my mind . . . and recipe entries generally are a trifle less labour intensive and therefore a good plan in the circs.
† We are all Wallace and Gromit fans here, aren’t we?
†† Another book I want to blog about, when I’m finished. There’s getting to be quite a queue. Except I only seem to think of it when I’m at the mews and the books are in their (growing) pile at the cottage.^
^ Oh good! Something new to trip over!
‡‡‡ Between my legs. A hellhound is way too large and heavy to be a proper lap dog, although Holly, who was the Sofa Lap Area Dog, also preferred between to on. Hazel, however, was the Sofa Chest Area Dog, and got away with it, except when I had to shove some piece of her out of the way so I could see the TV screen. I think Hazel had hollow bones. Rowan was the Sofa Foot Area Dog. Rowan spent fifteen years in a bad mood, but she was an excellent foot warmer.
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I was late clocking in at work this afternoon because I was so busy dancing around and telling everyone how happy I was that my copy of Chalice finally came in the mail. You made my day.
:D
Thank you! :)
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People keep opening doors for me, because otherwise I would walk into them. I can tell what’s going on around me, even with my nose in a book, but they don’t know that. It’s sort of funny.
You need someone to relate. Image having gallbladder surgery in one day and not knowing you are even going to have it. You go to doctor; who sends you for a sonogram; who sends you to a Surgeon; and then to hospital for surgery. My husband had not slept all night as he worked all night but he felt they would order a sonogram so went with me. It was 11 P.M. before we got home from hospital and he got to sleep.
I have had a go round with flu bug myself. It seems to be starting early this year.
I have a monster cat who kept trying to jump on my stomach where cuts and stitches were. It was a long week of trying to keep her off me.
God Bless and may you get to feeling better quick.
***We are all Wallace and Gromit fans here, aren’t we?
Yes, yes we are.
I hope you feel better. ^_^
****** A hellhound is way too large and heavy to be a proper lap dog
but that never stopped any dog of my acquaintance :) and when you’re ill and allow them extra snuggling time, they insinuate themselves so skillfully into the best places that it becomes gradually unbearable.
I eventually cruelly reject them, whereupon they gaze at me with darkling eyes and slip mournfully to the ground from where they slink away, with every hair on their hide speaking volumes about “ill use” and “I’m going away verrrry slowly in order to give you time to repent”!
“More cheese, Robin? Wensleydale?”
Of course you are a Wallace and Gromit fan. You had to be. :-)
I’m sincerely sorry you are laid up with a stomach bug. The worst flu of my life was after eating homemade peach frozen yogurt – I can’t smell a peach to this day without wanting to upchuck. So I sympathize greatly.
I hope you feel better soon. What wouldn’t I give for a pair of Techno Trousers…
Still no Chalice, but I have great hopes. If it’s not here by next Monday, I’m going to go buy it locally!
Ow. I’m the invalid, damn it, be nice to me.
When I’m sick, the cats all come around and purr and act comforting…. and within about 10 minutes Big Cat has wedged himself onto the pillow between my head and the headboard; Mean Cat has planted herself firmly on my chest, preventing me from rolling, coughing, or getting up; and Orange Cat has forced my shins apart and slid down to the space between them, further limiting my leverage and ability to change position. I’ve started to think it’s less that they’re concerned for my health, and more that they sense my weakness and are taking full advantage of it.
But hang in there, this too shall pass! :)
more that they sense my weakness and are taking full advantage of it.
********** Yup. Animals. Feh. :)
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****When I’m sick, the cats all come around and purr and act comforting….****
They are taking advantage. And isn’t amazing how a cat can turn into a 50-pound sack of cement once on the bed, especially when occupying a spot that makes you uncomfortable?
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SNORK again. Yes. Hellhounds are so *solid* I never worry about DAMAGING them when I heave them around . . .
I would send chocolate, but I don’t think it would go over too well with the flu. Get well soon!
We are all Wallace and Gromit fans here, aren’t we?
Oh yes!
Never tried Wensleydale cheese but I would love a Wensleydale sheep. Want.
Sorry you couldn’t ride Connie today. I actually got to ride my horse today. (Sympathy ride?) The sun was shining and the grass is green. Lovely. (I even managed to get an extended trot and a collected canter. Very pleased :) )
Charlie is doing great now. He’s thrown off the evil Hellhound influence. ;)
New pix: http://b-twin-1.livejournal.com
Get better soon :) I’ll be baking. Will send some. ;)
YAAY!
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****Charlie is doing great now. He’s thrown off the evil Hellhound influence. ;)
New pix****
They are too cute. Glad he’s coming along well.
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Ugh, feeling sick–especially when the stomach’s involved–is gruesome. Feel better soon!
Aw boo. I think there’s something going around here, too. The grandpeople in-law have it, various people around work…and they all have to shout and breathe on each other there, because of course you can’t hear a normal speaking voice over the machines. (Did I tell you I went there once? It was awful. My ears!) I told Jeff not to let anyone breathe on him, but I’m afraid the damage has probably already been done. We’ll see. I do not want whatever is going around. It sounds horrid.
I hope you get better. *gives tea*
My _Chalice_ arrived here in Deepest Utah yesterday. I have it sitting out on the table where I can admire it and properly anticipate the delight of opening it to the first page, which I certainly cannot do until evening when I have finished all chores and have dogs settled into their beds, or I might not get said chores done. When you have three or four horses in the backyard, chores are not optional.
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well – there are worse things than stomach flu, but not many, and fortunately they are relatively unlikely.
*****I have stomach flu. Or whatever.*****
I’m down today as well. Descending kidney stone. AGAIN. These get old after the fourth or fifth one. Get better.
*****We are all Wallace and Gromit fans here, aren’t we?*****
ME! Me-me-me-me-me!
Actually, “The Wrong Trousers” was the first one I ever saw. A friend practically shoved the video down my throat when I was recovering from surgery in the ’90s and didn’t want to do anything. I’m very glad she did. :-)
Judith
Oh, kidney stones! Oh, you poor thing!
Yes, I saw Trousers first too!
Are you finished moving yet? At least?
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Oh dear, I hope it passes quickly and as painlessly as possible. I have two friends who get them recurrently and I feel for you guys, while thanking my lucky stars that I haven’t got any **fingers crossed and sends healing thoughts**
*****Are you finished moving yet? At least?*****
Sigh. At least we have a date in sight. Mid-October, after the carpets and closets are installed. Husband is now trying to get a date from movers. Movers will be selected based on when they can move us.
Judith
Much sympathy for the kidney stone, Judith, and good wishes to you. Hope it drops SOON.
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Thanks for the good wishes, folks. Kidney stone did indeed drop, although it took longer than any previous one. Urologist is on the job. Sigh.
Judith
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Ugh . . . but at least it’s OVER.
Sending soothing thoughts, dry toast and chamomile tea, which is our family recipe for “what you can eat when it ain’t all all right”. Have another book. Have a ME pass card. We’re rooting for you. Perfectly understand stomach-upset related food detestation. One incident put me off ripe cherries for a decade. I knew I shouldn’t have eaten the entire fruit bowl full. They were just too good.
Oh, dear! I hope you get better soon!:)
Once when I had a fever (this hardly ever happens anymore), I was lying on my bed and Sassi came up on the bed and sniffed a little and then she lay down a little from me on my husband’s side of the bed – and started purring! Soothingly. As if saying: “Don’t worry – you’ve got me! I’m here!” and she was very patient and undemanding the whole time. Otherwise my husband is her favourite and she will lie under his hand and purr him to sleep, and she won’t move until he takes his hand away, generally this is only a few minutes, but if it’s longer it doesn’t seem to matter – once I couldn’t sleep and I saw her lying there for about forty-five minutes without moving. And she will do this even if she doesn’t feel like resting herself – she’ll complain, but she’ll lie down, and when his hand is taken away she will go and do whatever she had wanted to do (eating or playing or whatever.)
I was also reminded of my grandfather’s and grandmother’s cat, Kompu (my mother proudly claims that Finnish is spelled exactly as it’s pronounced so I hope I have got it right). When my grandfather had a fever Kompu would wrap himself around my grandfather’s shoulders – and never at any other time.
It was all I had initially intended to write, but you need cheering up and I know nothing more up-cheering (so to speak) than animal stories and since I have a suspicion – a feeling – an inkling, shall we say, that you like animals…
Kompu was a gentleman, dressed in a black and white suit. He was the master of the area. I was looking through some old albums the other day and there was a photo of Kompu looking straight at me – cool, collected. I could feel that he would drawl, “Yes – what?” Stylish, at ease, on top of the world.
Before my time, I think, they had another cat, Mäiskö (re spelling, see above). Kompu would eat on the kitchen counter(?) and Mäiskö would eat on the floor – always. (Mummu – my grandmother – told me this story.) After she had given them both food and had turned away, my uncle called out teasingly: “Kompu – why don’t you give Mäiskö some room up there!” Kompu immediately jumped down, gave Mäiskö a box on the ear and jumped up again. Don’t even think it…
My little brother – at a very young age – had managed to get hold of and pull Kompu’s tail. Kompu turned around and drew one claw – one! – slowly, calmly… Don’t do that again…
He died when I was maybe 7?-8? and when I came that summer I found he was buried outside the kitchen window – he had a whole new hill with green grass…
Anyway, I hope your flu will go away and take ME with it! Begone! Shoo! Nasty things…
Oh! I’m sorry you’re not well!
The more I think about it, the more your hellhounds sound like my cats. Last night I had terrible heartburn and couldn’t really sleep for more than a few minutes till after 3 AM (quite late when your 2 year old will be getting you up by 7 or 8); Donovan, the black cat, took this lying awake in bed as the perfect time to lay across my chest, walk on my neck, and pad on my hair. He means well, I think, but it just doesn’t always manifest the way I’d like.
The other similarity with my boys and your boys is that one is black (Donovan–which means dark haired one) and the other is fawn/strawberry blonde (Duncan–which means dark warrior but doesn’t really apply to this ditzy cat).
I hope you feel better! Sending good wishes and good chocolate your way. Oh, and apparently every now and then, things get sent sooner than Amazon says and I should be getting my copy of Chalice tomorrow which is two weeks earlier than they originally told me. Yeah!!!!!
Erika in Colorado
I’m sorry! Hope you’re on the upswing.
† We are all Wallace and Gromit fans here, aren’t we?
YES.
I don’t know how you manage to do all that you do while being sick as well. You truly are SuperRobin! Feel better. Real soon. And ignore us for a while if you need to.
Here’s some herbal tea made properly … Not going to offer food, only sympathy.
My worst was tomato/onion salad in Bolivia. (never eat fresh veggies in a third world country) and the place we were staying didn’t have pluming. And it rained cats and dogs the whole night. It could have been worse – winter camping at 40 below zero! On the positive side since then, nothing has ever seemed so bad.
I hope that today you had better couch positioning! (thankfully we have a huge couch that fits small Great Dane, two cats and just enough space for one human)
Rebecca
My very VERY worst was in Germany. Yes, Germany. Can’t even THINK about it . . .
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I’m sorry to hear about the stomach flu and the lurking ME–hope everything is of VERY short duration and leaves no traces when it goes.
No matter what piece of furniture you share with a dog (or cat or probably ferret either), you are bound to get the short end. When we travel with the dogs, we cover the hotel bedding and let the dogs sleep on the beds with us, as a treat. Inevitably the division of mattress space is: human–six inches on the edge; dog–everything else. Usually the dog is also pressed against the human, in the best position to prevent movement and generate leg cramps. We don’t stand a chance against them. :)
(I hope this is not a duplicate post; I think the original one just disappeared when I scrolled back up to Robin’s post, but WordPress may have pushed it through.)
Snork! Yes! This is why hellhounds still sleep DOWNSTAIRS! (That, and their digestion. . . . Although I suppose I’d hear them howling SOONER if they were on the bed with me. . . . )
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Chalice came in the mail today, so I’m in heaven.
I’ve got Wallace and Gromit memorized, Small Son and I watched them so many times.
Push those hellhounds around: you’re the boss! It’s not like they’re cats and are keeping you immobile so you’ll recuperate faster.
. . . user name please!
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Chamomile tea, perhaps, for rehydration purposes? As prepared by Mrs Rabbit (of Peter ilk) but with possible small amounts of honey? You could, when recovered, explain to one hellhound only the benefits of being a Footrest Dog…. do not want to get where they demand a foot each, it would be ungraceful.
Oh Robin!
*sending hugs and a hot water bottle (and some chocolate for later when your tummy is behaving again)*
And on a happy note, I HAVE CHALICE!!!!!! The two copies I ordered from Amazon.com arrived this morning. There also appears to be -ahem- a third copy on its way from Amazon.co.uk, who have now decided that they ARE going to carry it, and guess who forgot to cancel that order when she ordered from the States…… Oh well, that’ll be another xmas pressie sorted (unless I decide to keep it as a spare;-)) and does three copies mean I get a floorboard with my name on in Third House’s attic? ;-)
The thing is I have loads to do today, and all I WANT to do now is read Chalice…..
does three copies mean I get a floorboard with my name on in Third House’s attic?
********* Snork! Now, can I make another competition out of this–?
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***does three copies mean I get a floorboard with my name on in Third House’s attic?
********* Snork! Now, can I make another competition out of this–?***
Something like, ‘Who can inadvertantly buy the most copies of Chalice?…’
I was very good and restrained, and didn’t let myself open the book until I’d done MOST of what I was supposed to be doing today.
I’m loving what I’ve read so far, and am probably going to end up reading until who knows when in the effort to finish it tonight. (and I’ll probably regret it at six am when I have to get up for work, but it’ll be worth it.)
I hope so! :)
All dogs, in their secret hearts, want to be lap dogs. Even giant drooling mastiffs will manage to haul whatever bits of themselves fit into a lap if given the chance.
I never understood why the dogs marketed as lap dogs are so tiny that they are likely to break something if they should jump out of one’s lap. Then again, I live with four Maine Coon cats who, when in lap fungus mode, can cut off circulation. I might be prejudiced towards the large and easily cuddly.
Best wishes and virtual chicken soup (virtual chicken soup is easier to send over the web, contains no calories and is guaranteed not to upset the stomach) in your fight against the flu bug.
*Hugs*. Hope you feel better soon. *Pokes the ME AND the stomach flu*.
Ugh! Feel better! Candles lit!
JM
Oh yick – hope you’re recovering.
Wallace and Grommit?
Oh yes. When Himself took our daughter to the Science museum and pointed to a piece of machinery that had been all the way to the moon and back and said to her “That went all the way to the moon”, and told her men had gone to the moon she said yes, she knew. And they were called Wallace and Grommit. And he cracked up at that point.
In the interest of relieving boredom (when you feel well enough) I’m contributing this link:
twistedphysics.typepad.com/cocktail_party_physics/2008/09/ringing-up-the.html
I’d like to know what you think of her comments — it certainly helped a non-ringer-but-Sayers-lover like me to have a better idea what you’re up to In The Tower.
And I bought my daughter Chalice last night — 9:50 pm because that’s when I could get there after work. It certainly is a treat to look at — I’m in line to read, of course.
The info already exists on various links–including one or two in my ‘about’ section. If you’re reading about bells for the first time I suppose it’s fine–although I think she’s made some small errors (‘minor’ and ‘major’ are part of the name of the method–you don’t say ‘minors’ and ‘majors’ for example) but it feels rather superfluous to me, including the question of Sayers’ murder weapon. Sorry.
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Aaaaw. Poor Robin. Currently reading Chalice and utterly delighted. I’m getting close to the end, though–the eighth day. Hers, I mean. I started it late last night. What I want to know is how you can get such beautiful designs! I mean, how can you be so lucky!? I mean, with McKillip, as long as it’s Kinuko Craft doing it you know it’ll be beautiful, but you’ve got various different people and it *still* comes out lovely!
RE wallace and gromit fans – yes, indeedy. You think the bad penguin is one of the ones that got Black Bear? I just read her penguin story the other night and milk almost came out my nose I laughed so hard. I hope you are reading something very enjoyable and getting lots of rest.
on an unrelated aside – L.M. Montgomery’s Blue Castle was a big favorite of mine when I was growing up. I enjoyed your review and it made me want to read it again -I’ll have to pull it off the shelf later. THank you!
Yesterday DragonHaven arrived and today Chalice arrived. :) :) :) :) :) :)
I don’t know where Amazon.de got it from, considering the uk doesn’t carry it. But I’m happy!!!!!
:) :) :) :) :) :)
R.W.
Urgh. Sorry to hear you’re under the weather. *sends ginger and honey tea as substitute for other things which shall remain nameless in the meantime*
Animals and illness: yes. My parents’ first cat, a Siamese well aware that she could have been worshipped in another life, was just as aware of her dignity. So it took me years to notice that when I was really sick or depressed, she’d find some way of being in the room with me. Unobtrusively, but there. Much comfort.
Of course, I’d invairably (sp?) wake up with her on my chest. As this involved part of her covering my nose, it’s a VERY good thing I wasn’t allergic.
The dogs, on the other hand, were hopeless. The disadvantage about creatures who teach you unconditional love, being in the now, and being self-centred. But then they were labradors. Not lapdogs…
“Techno Trousers” I WANT. Can I have the import agency? Puleeeeez? :-)
” We are all Wallace and Gromit fans here, aren’t we?”
We certainly are! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH0fjTof8P4
Hope you’re feeling better today and can envisage knocking back honey glazed doughnuts (or broccoli) with impunity.
I’ve been promised my copy of CHALICE will be in my yearning hands within 36 hours…it’s still hard to wait!
Bleah. Feel better soon!
I hope you feel better soon. Remember stay hydrated.