While I wait for my … was it fast-acting or long-lasting?… pills and syrups to kick in I thought I’d advise on the timeline of the Adult Winter Cold Timeline.   You can look this up.  It’s true. It happens to everyone. It’s probably in Wikipedia.  ((( as soon as I publish it over there))

 

Stage One:      The  Telltale Tickle   (No,  this is not a movie you saw in college)

Stage Two:        Denial:     Denial is Stage Two in pretty much everything.

Stage Three:     Self Importance:   “I have a _______ coming up. I cannot get sick.”   Even the most slovenly college student or park bum

                             is ‘too busy to get sick.’

Stage Four:       Admission to family/ friends  ”I’m getting sick.”

Stage Five:        The Village:  ”You should take______________. You  should be doing ________.  Did you get a flu shot?”

Stage Six:          Bed: Dodge The Village and their rubs/ elixirs/ how-to’s/ chicken soup/ supplements & judgment. “If only she’d taken

                             the Cold Eeze. I do everyday and look at me– why I haven’t had a cold in 5 years. Also, echinachea…”

Stage Seven:    Secret Enjoyment:   “Why,  this is somewhat relaxing.   I really should unwind more often. Yes, I DO feel like someone shoved

spoons up cheeks via my nose, but I’m  caught on my game shows, Will & Grace re-runs and reading.    BUT, how come no one brings

                            chicken soup anymore?

Stage Eight:     Hatred:   I hate you, puffy eyes. I hate you, sore cheeks. I hate you, people,  who slept last night while I had  Nyquil dream about

                             riding my sister’s dog to pick up pizza and my 1st grade teacher was there and then the house she shared the lady who played Flo

                             on Alice burnt down.

Stage Nine:     Betterment:   I might be feeling better. Am I? I’m not ready to share this information yet.  I was liking My Bed and Being Spoiled.

                            Someone still might bring soup?

Stage Ten:       Denouement:   I’m back, world. Look at me. No frog voice, no bloodshot eyes, no Nyquil shots.

 

Jill

I’m only at Stage 6.5

Still time to send soup.

 

 

Ash Wednesday mass brings with it the unavoidable “You have something on your forehead.” comment.     Of course, Ash Wednesday is the kick-off of Lent for Catholics and the kick-off of Fish Commercial Season for Everyone Else.

The ashes have no meaning people’s foreheads other than to remind them they, too, will return to ashes.

But what is Lent?    Lent is a very holy time of the church year to prepare for Easter, the day Jesus rose from the dead for us.  All Jesus asked was for us to be Good and Love others. Why, he, himself, was good and kind enough to hang out with adulterers, lepers and the biggest trial of all,- TAX COLLECTORS.

“What are you giving up for Lent?” is a big topic of conversation. We are urged to self-sacrifice.  Also, we can ADD a positive thing into our life.   My husband read passages from the Bible this morning to learn from ancient words. …Course at this time of the year he could have been searching for a lesson in How To Be Nice To Tax Collectors…?!

Can you please help me achieve my Lenten Goal?

I’m lucky to have my website & radio show to be able to communicate with people all over. For the next 40 DAys, I’m making this “The Blessing Beat.”   Each day we’ll highlight the positive.

I can’t write it all!

Here’s where you come in: Send me your stories, ideas, input, pictures, concepts, tiny blessings, big blessings and general shout-outs to help spread GOOD this Lenten season.