My Blog List

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

We Want Our Moms


Ellis and Me at a healthier, happier time.  This photo was taken BC. My hair was "Richard Gere Gray."

We're sick. We missed Christmas. We're missing New Years. We're missing feeling festive. We've got cabin fever.

A woman with a cold isn't a pretty sight.
Actually this one looks like I had
more than a cold--like the mumps.
Self Portrait #1, watercolor
Still coughing with heads full of crap stuck in our jammies in the house drinking tea (with just a dash of B & B), I was too sick these last  days to  do any more photo work at the computer.  I didn't even feel like coloring  much less painting in the studio. I watched movies morning to night while Ellis slept and paced the cage.

 I have seen every Christmas movie there is, (with the exception of The Bad Santa  with Billy Bob Thornton and The Santa Clause with Tim Allen), plus a few not so Christmasy ones. Taking a break after The Girl With The Pearl Earring and before the start of War Horse,  I checked the computer on my way to get a new box of tissues and discovered I had cleared 25 GB. For a brief second, I was thrilled, actually felt better, but then went into a hacking coughing fit that took me  back to the couch where we are down to the pay movies. The Bourne Legacy is a pretty good fourth edition in that series even without Mat Damon.

 I resented having to pay for Home Alone and The Family Man, but I could never find them for free when I was up. Comcast really sucks the bucks, but I'll probably pay in six more for the Tim Allen and The Billy Bob classic to round up the season.

Food has been a problem. With both Ellis and me knocked out of the ball game with headaches, coughs, chills, scratchy throats, you name it, neither of us wants to venture out to the market. We want our moms.  

That being impossible, I went last Wednesday to stock up on Barq's rootbeer and get some blintzes to make a souffle. Ellis made his way there Sunday to get some more--and some potato chips--and some Mother's  chicken  soup with matzoh balls--not the crap I made up from substitutions.

Self Portrait, Drawing Pen
Maybe this was the last time  I had a cold?
Sick or just dissatisfied with our congress,I
didn't see myself  looking too good.
Then we did something we've haven't done since my boys lived at home, we brought in Chinese--I was dying for eggrolls with sweet and sour sauce with hot mustard--not those wimpy, way-too-healthy-for-you spring rolls, but the deep, deep fried originals. When we're sick only comfort foods will do. I'm now thinking cheese curls.

Ellis says I'm eating too much salt. I say, "What's it going to do make me sick?" We're going slowly out of our minds. That's all I need is a vertigo attack on top of all this. Today, we might venture out to pass this thing on-- just like that woman on the plane who couldn't stop coughing and didn't cover her mouth. I put a hex on her house!

Sorry folks. No more Mrs. Nice Guy. One more day on the couch or at the computer  may kill me. If you're in this area, don't go to Alexanders. We'll be the couple in the corner wearing sanitary masks and coughing our guts out while spraying the table with disinfectant.  Happy New Year to you all though. May you be in better condition and spirits than we are.

LANDSCAPE STUDIES  I'VE REDISCOVERED THIS MORNING suggest not to give up the genre. I like the abstract quality and the intensity of these drawings. The fact that I discovered them sifting through my files once again this morning shows I'm improving--but I'm still far from the happy, go lucky kid I usually am :-)

Spring Grasses, Pastel

Grasses, Soluble markers 

Spring Snow, Soluble markers

Spring Woods, Soluble Markers, Study

Spring Woods, Soluble Markers, Study 2#

Ragweed, Soluble Markers













19 comments:

  1. Usually me who is ill over Christmas time! well, our kids would have you think that. Strange thing is it was our son this year who seems to have the same hacking cough you have over there. STOP COUGHING IN THIS DIRECTION PLEASE. Sincerely, hope you are both improving and will feel fully fit very soon to enjoy 2013.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whatever is left of it. I'm sitting here waiting for the brown rice. We ran out of shrimp fried rice, so we're back to raiding our own pantry; I had a quarter cup left. I hope it comes out fluffy and more bulky looking. Sorry about your son. He must have been around that same thoughtless woman we came in contact with on the plane. To better days.

      Delete
  2. I love all of these but especially the ones done in markers.. Lady, if I lived next door to you I'd be bringing over the hot toddys!.. Fresh lemon tea w/honey and bourbon cured me years ago... btw you are gorgeous in that photo... You make a handsome couple for sure... I agree w/you about the Chinese fast food... comfort is what u need... one time won't kill ya!.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been drinking tea with honey with B & B. But memory has it that butter in the mix does good things for a cough. I'd like it to get less dry and more chesty. I'm loving the Chinese food--and ordering out for the first time in years, turned us on to the better carry-out restaurant within reasonable driving distance.

      Delete
  3. Hot whisky with sugar and lemon is exactly what you require. Replacing the sugar with honey is an acceptable alternative. In between draughts of the aforementioned potion plenty of the comfort food you've sensibly added to the diet and you will rapidly improve. Enough of my old person's advice and thanks once again for the vibrant images that you have given us. Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My images are probably too abstract for most of you, but remember that I am a designer, positive and negative spaces must equal out. Three weeks ago I was in a very positive space, not I'm equaling out in this negative one. That's the way life goes. Bottoms up. Happy New Year back at you Mick.

      Delete
  4. I was ill two months ago and comfort food is the only thing that will do, I agree. I hope you feel better soon to enjoy the new year! Love the landscapes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well actually, those drawings are more accurately nature studies of grasses, but I don't think there's a genre with that title? Thanks Judy. I did get dressed today--put on make up even. I was so exhausted from the experience, I had to lay down and take a nap!

      Delete
  5. I hope you are still Happy, and I wish you a Happy Creative New Year! Love the abstract quality of the paintings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Roger. We are definitely happy that we have each other, though our moms would be preferred at this time. We were both blessed with moms that loved mothering and out did themselves at time like this.

      I thought you would like those. Those come close to your way of seeing nature. Your paintings are calmer than mine. Mine are a bit more anxious--otherwise described as energetic. :-)

      Delete
  6. Oh so sorry to hear. Such is the life of so many folks right now, darn those winter blues especially when they follow us around with the flu and other cold blues. Get well soon- and things could be worse- you could be all alone- enjoy being not so well together- then celebrate on the beginning of normal again! Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Karen. I'm sorry I haven't gotten over to your place yet. I appreciate you following me and I will reciprocate soon I hope. We are grateful we are not totally alone--though after a week of being caged together in this horrible condition the other one coughing through a good line in the movie, a little alone time might be appreciated? I joke. I'm blessed. Happy New Year to you too. It's been a memorable one for us.

      Delete
  7. awww I feel bad for you.....what a heckuva way to ring in the New Year. I know that you both are hearty souls, however, so "this too shall pass" and in no time you will be your old selves again.... Feisty and full of energy. Meanwhile, you are definitely doing the right thing. Chinese food and movies! Yay! Feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully tomorrow. Ellis is over the hump. I should be over the hump tomorrow--and even if I'm not, I am going to get a haircut. My locks are becoming unmanageable. As luck would have it, I do have a doctor's appointment Thursday. Of course, they always nod their heads and say, 'There's really nothing we can do about a cold.' Chicken soup, brandy, Chinese food, potato chips and Barq's is the best we can do.

      Delete
  8. Happy New Year!
    I hope this will be another great year for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Robert and to you too! Just between us,all the years are great. Sure shit happens, but it's to be expected. What matters is that we're up to it and can handle anything life throws our way. I figure we have no choice. We're dealt a hand and we must play.

      Delete
  9. All the best to you, wish you joy and happiness and satisfaction in 2013!
    PS Marias Teater and Marias 1001 Natt is the same Maria - me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same to you Maria. I've got the change. I've just been out of touch--first out of town, then just out of it, being down with a nasty cold. I'm making my way back though. See you soon.

      Delete
  10. I cracked up reading about you putting a hex on the woman coughing on the plane. :)
    GET WELL SOONEST!!!

    ReplyDelete