Dead of Winter

Its Monday morning and a holiday,MLK day one of the newer Federal holidays. I am assuming 211 is closed for the holiday. Since I am not an “employee” of the agency I am not too concerned. As a volunteer I am slacking off more then I used to besides 211 has hired more folk for the tax season calls and I feel 211 is kind of over staffed right now so if I am there or not dose not make a whole hell of a lot of difference; except to the callers with disabilities who are looking for me—sorry its a holiday people even volunteers need holidays if nothing more then to sit round the house naked, drink coffee and blog. The house if full of flu, luckily I seem to have spared so far. I feel great as a matter of fact. Our guest/family is down, flat out sick which is not good since she is having surgery is a couple of weeks and needs to be well for that experience. Having a guest for an extended medical visit has been challenging and fun. She has be invaluable with organizing the house and working to bring the house into shape—I just hope we will be able to maintain once she heals and return to Saudi. So far Dianne has dodged the flue “bullet” both from BGA2s as well as the Sister. I think the flu shot has be a large factor in both our abilities to remain healthy this flu season. I have to admit I am kind of spooked, as I have never been before. There has been times in year recently past when I have gotten so ill that I was not sure I was going to make—I really felt angles or relatives at my door getting ready to “take me home.” I know, I am seriously at risk—and the local environment with it's inversion does not help matters. I have not taken to wearing a mask outside but but I am seriously considering it for the first time. I made chicken soup yesterday for the ill and at risk for the second time this month, the soup was loaded with garlic and the soup turned out very tasty—not nearly as garlic flavored as I had imagined the soup but the soup was good and healthy. Dianne really saved the soup by adding tons of flavor at the last moment. Its January, really the month I nearly over. If there is a dead of winter this is it—the inverted days are beautiful and full of hope. I am still trying to cope with the whole retirement thing but I am coping and really beginning to enjoy the time I have—I need to be doing more but for right now I am focusing on staying healthy, taking care of my house and getting through this winter one day at a time.