I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday in their own little way with all things fun and pleasant to partake in. Mary and I had a busy time after leaving for the farm in the early hours of Saturday to begin our Christmas celebrations with her family. Celebrations began with family and friends coming by to partake in a bit of a jamboree – or ho down as Rob would likely call it – playing music in varying states of intoxication into the night. I had brought along a series of “winter warmers”, or high alcohol dark beers, to enjoy over the weekend myself, but found myself lacking the desire to taste them. Around 10:30 I succumbed to the idea that I was coming down with something and left for bed.
Mary checked on me a few times to find I was running an intense fever with some intermittent coughing. I barely slept, but also refused to get out of bed until 11:30 the next morning, did a few things around the house, back to bed from 1:00 until 5:00 without sleeping, and then up for the Manion Christmas celebrations. By this time the fever was in and out but the cough was unbearable and bringing up traces of blood. We did midnight church and headed home to sleep, arriving at 3:30 in the morning, barely sleeping, and up at 7:30 to head to the parents.
This story could go forever.
By this morning I’d coughed enough that my back is out of alignment, my ribs are bruised, and I’ve pulled muscles in my neck. Against my better desires I headed to the clinic and was diagnosed with a lung infection; where it came from I have no idea. Credit to my amazing wife who has driven me everywhere, nursed me as well as possible, and finally doped me full of whiskey last night until I slept for the first time in three days. I’ve now let her retire early and spiked my own tea with Canadian Club’s natural remedy to cough-induced insomnia.
I shall return tomorrow to regale with tales of swag acquired by gifting and my annual 5:00 Boxing Day trek and with pictures of Amish Paul. Until then, be well.