Coming out of it

Whoa. That wasn’t fun. Being sick is no fun, but getting sicker because the prescribed “cure” made you that way is the pits. I’ve been battling an ear infection for several weeks. Two weeks ago, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic. On Christmas night, I began to run a low-grade fever. It went up and down over the next several days. I felt achy all over (Flu? I got a flu shot in October.) My skin became hypersensitive. (Now that’s weird…being touched actually hurt!) My ear still hurt…no improvement there. My head hurt. I even felt too sick to call the doctor. It turns out that I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. I stopped taking it and have been off it for a couple of days now, and still don’t feel well, but I’m improving. My ear still hurts. I’ll have to call the doctor when he’s back in the office to try something else.

While I’m beginning to feel better, Doc is not. He’s got those “…sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching…” (but no fever yet) symptoms. He has a doctor appointment coming up.

In the meantime, I’ve had a new little furry critter to keep me company. He’s traveled around the house a bit, trying to get settled in. Right now, he’s perched atop a canister in the kitchen, watching over me as I cook. He traveled all the way from Australia, spent a little time beneath the Christmas tree, and now he’s asking to be named. I’m not sure what name would be appropriate for a koala. Any suggestions, Carolanne? By the way, thanks, Carolanne…he’s adorable! Oh, yes, the calendar is great, too! (So were the Tim Tams. You didn’t think they’d last until Christmas, did you?)

Other than the illness, our Christmas was great. Laura and Stretch recently decided to fly down from Kentucky in order to rent a truck and take her piano back. We found affordable tickets (because they would arrive on Christmas Eve). Doc and I picked up the rental truck for them on that afternoon, I met them at the airport (Doc was playing at the services at church), and we attended one of the Christmas Eve services together that evening.

On Christmas Day, Ryan came over for breakfast and gift-opening. He brought his dog, Eve, with him, which meant that Spooky spent the day closed up in a bedroom.

Of course, I was on cloud nine since it was Christmas Day, my family was all here, and I wasn’t yet sick. I made a big breakfast, we opened gifts, got the piano and other items loaded onto the truck, and then Laura and I made dinner. Even Eve was sweet and lovable and well-behaved during all the commotion.

Side note: Not all pit bulls live up down to their reputation; Eve loves Ryan and people in general. She followed me around thinking that I was the lady with something good to eat. She is obedient (for the most part!), loves to give puppy-sugars, plays well, and loves to ride in the car. She is devoted to Ryan, and when he decided to take a nap that afternoon, she was right there with him. Spooky would disagree with me, but Eve is welcome to visit anytime.

Laura and Stretch had to leave the next morning since the truck was a limited rental and they had a long drive ahead of them. It was hard to see them drive off like that, and strange to come back into the house and see all of the empty areas. I still need to clean and rearrange things, but that can wait until we’re both healthier.

That was Wednesday; the next few days were spent in complete oblivion…mostly sleeping and just trying to get over this yuk. This is Sunday; I’m almost there.

The unpleasant Christmas tradition

Years ago, I spent an entire Christmas Day sick. It wasn’t a good day for anyone around me. The following year, I came down with another illness on Christmas afternoon. Each and every year since then, I have been sick during Christmas week, with the exception of last year (which was a good thing since we spent Christmas week at the beach).

This year, the tradition has returned. It began last week with the ear infection that will not go away. I’m on my second week of antibiotics. Christmas afternoon, I began to feel worse. During the night, I began to run a fever. It has been up and down today. Not a very good tradition.

 

Christmas morning began with another beautiful sunrise. By the afternoon, it began to drizzle off and on. Laura and Stretch were here from Kentucky for a short visit and Ryan came over for the day. Spooky didn’t like it, however, because he brought Eve.

Now, Laura and Stretch are back on the road, heading home with a truck filled with her piano and other things. It’s sort of sad to see the empty spaces, but I know she’s excited to have her piano back again.

I’m going back to curl up on the sofa. Perhaps in a day or two I’ll feel better. This is one tradition that I’d like to see end.

Christmas Day

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him, born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten not created;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee with love and awe.
Who would not love thee, loving us so dearly?
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory given.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing:
O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

O Come, All Ye Faithful
Text: John F. Wade; trans. by Frederick Oakeley and others
Music: John F. Wade; harm. from Collections of Motetts or Antiphons
Tune: ADESTE FIDELES
Meter: Irr.

Christmas Eve

The first Noel the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east, beyond them far;
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

And by the light of that same star
three Wise Men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o’er Bethlehem it took its rest;
and there it did both stop and stay,
right over the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

Then entered in those Wise Men three,
full reverently upon the knee,
and offered there, in his presence,
gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
born is the King of Israel.

The First Noel
Text: Trad. English carol
Music: Trad. English carol; harm from Christmas Carols New and Old
Tune: —, Meter: Irr. with Refrain

Who shall come?

Who shall come in the fullness of time to gladden the hearts of men?

Who shall bring new joy to the world and the poor and lonely defend?

Who shall come on a cold winter’s night, when the world is hushed and still?

Only the silent stars keep watch as a promise is fulfilled.

Just as a Child newly born He shall come to a stable rough with sod.

‘Tis gentle Jesus, Prince of Peace, the blessed Son of God!

We await Him with reverent hearts, O come Lord Jesus, come!

~ Mary E. Caldwell, 1909-2003

 

 

Photo taken this evening of the nearly full moon above my neighbor’s decorated home. Look closely, and you’ll see the planet Mars immediately below the moon.