Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Cough cough cough



That last post was written from a state of denial – that I was coming down with a nasty virus. I’m fortunate to be healthy and energetic as a rule; but last Friday, when Daughter 1 and I met up with the very nice Loth of http://gymisntworking.blogspot.com/, I was aware that my throat was sore and I was a bit feverish. (Hope I didn’t pass it on, Loth.) I did manage to struggle out to dinner at the New Club but since then I’ve really been quite unwell. It’s just the same as so many people have had: aching all over, streaming nose and eyes, hacking cough and general exhaustion. It doesn’t help that I can’t sleep lying down, so have to spend the nights on the sitting room sofa, propped up, watching alarming news on television during coughing bouts.

And I can’t smell my lovely hyacinths!

I dragged myself into work – it’s too difficult being off if you’re a teacher. You have to issue instructions for trouble-free lessons for others to take with your classes and then you have to mark the outcomes of these lessons. It’s easier just to crawl in and teach gently from a seated position, barking away pathetically.

Anyway, in the evenings I’ve been too tired to blog-read - that’s how ill I’ve been! - so I’m way behind in all your exciting doings.

Thank you to those of you who replied to my portrait-of-you enquiry. I enjoyed your responses. As for mine, I suppose that - to enter into the spirit of this painted lady’s dogs and roses - the appurtenances ought to be symbolic of attributes rather than important simply for themselves. But it’s hard to think of such symbols: rosemary for remembrance is all that comes to mind – and I do like preserving memories (hence blogging). I think I’d have to stick with the literal, though: the portrait would have a beautiful herbaceous border (with a distant little me nearly invisible behind it) and in the foreground a pile of books ready to read on a rug. And if a couple of little black cats happened to wander into the picture that would be perfect.

I must go and do some work but tomorrow I shall plunge back into the world of blog. You may hear the splash.

16 comments:

  1. Oh Heavens...you have had what has been knocking everyone over like ninepines down here. Nasty stuff. You should have taken to your bed for a week! I hope you feel better soon, Isobelle, and I will be waiting for the splash!

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  2. I hope you can catch up on your rest and feel better! Take care of yourself.

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  3. That's awful news- i hope you are recovered and feeling better soon.

    You must be cheered by the sight of hyacinths...even with the lack of smell..

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  4. I hope you're back feeling well again very soon!

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  5. I hope you feel better soon. It sounds very unpleasant.
    and as for portraits, it would probably for me be something from the garden, most likely formal double camellias.

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  6. I like the sound of your portrait, though I think it should show you gardening in the background, not completely hidden. Hope you feel better soon!

    I have a favourite portrait already - from our engagement photographs - the two of us sitting in a shady spot, looking out on a Japanese ornamental garden, we're mostly silhouetted, but you can see Matt's arm around my back.

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  7. Nope, I appear to have survived intact. Did you end up buying any of those books we were poking around in? (And hope you are back on your feet soon!)

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  8. Sounds nasty! Hope you are soon feeling a lot better!

    As for the potraits, maybe a cup of coffee and a book:-)

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  9. Get well soon. You ARE in the best place in the world for one of the best cold remedies I know.....a good Malt whisky!

    I am inhaling those hyacinths for you.....bliss.

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  10. The bit about the splash, at the end, made me chortle! I also would love to be in your class just to hear you "barking pathetically..." Sorry it's come to that. You need a trip to Florida---we'll load you up with sunshine and orange juice---vitamin D, fresh off the tree!

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  11. Oh dear! I do hope you feel better. Oddly enough, I came down with a cold on the same day, although not nearly as severe. You should take Molly up on her offer -- I chased my cold away with vitamin C.

    Love your portrait -- it's just how I would imagine it to be!

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  12. poor you. Feel better soon. I know what it's like trying to teach a class when you are not 100%.

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  13. So sorry to hear you haven't been up to scratch my friend - I agree with Linds, you should have gone to bed and let your body fight the germs without the added stress of going to work! Still, you've explained why you did go to work, so who am I to tell you what not to do? For someone who isn't well and hasn't been blog reading, it hasn't stopped you posting some lovely comments on my blog - thank you!
    {{{{hugs}}}} to make you feel better soon.
    Gina

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  14. Get well soon. I'm hacking away too...it's rotten isn't it?

    Lesley x

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  15. I do hope you feel better very soon, take care
    Kimx

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  16. I'm sending Cyber Health Wishes - do take care of your self - it sounds a nasty bug.

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