Fourth Day of a Caregiver's Cold

Today was my crash and burn day, surrendering to the cold virus that's been visiting the past few days. My voice was nearly gone this morning, and by 10:00 a.m., it was gone.

I did absolutely nothing all day but lie on the couch with my blankie pulled over me, dozing, sipping water. I watched a movie, HGTV (my default channel), and the Food Network.

Oh, well, wait. Yes, I talked with Romeo today too, of course. He was so sweet and loving and full of advice on what I should do to take care of myself.

Romeo advised me, "Take lots of vitamin C, drink lots of fruit juice, and have some brandy. Brandy is very good for colds."

"I don't have any brandy in the house."

"Go out and get some."

"I don't want to leave the house."

"Call the store and have them deliver it."

"I don't know of any liquor store that delivers."

So I cuddled up under the covers without the brandy.

Later, I felt up to watching a movie. The sillier, the better. I love silly movies when I'm sick. They make me laugh, and laughter is good medicine -- maybe about as good as brandy.

Typically I put in a Marx Brothers movie when I'm sick, but I just watched the only one I own (A Night At the Opera) a day or two or three ago and didn't want to watch it again. And I didn't want to drive to the library to get a different one. So I decided on a movie in my private collection, pulled it off the shelf, and popped it in. Three Amigos, with Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short. It did the job: made me laugh.

I'm not sure what it is about singing and talking animals that cracks me up so much. Whatever it is that makes you laugh, I highly recommend you do it or read it or watch it when you're not feeling well or when you're feeling down. Laughter is a great substitute when there's no brandy.