Jan 07
2008

I Feel Like Poop

No, this isn’t yet another story about my poo-obsessed brother. I have a rotten, nasty cold.

Despite the recent claims of Cold Ease, Zicam and other cold-ameliorating medicines, my cold is not less severe or lengthy. I…Feel…Like…Crap.

I dutifully got my flu shot. But what I really needed was a cold shot. No such thing. Stupid scientists.

So this is just a friendly reminder to protect yourself, along with the tips you’ve heard before:

  • Avoid people (like me) who are sick. It’s not just because you’ll get sick too. We are really cranky.
  • If you are sick, stay the heck home. No one wants to see you. You’re probably cranky.
  • Do not share: dishes, towels, silverware, telephones, pencils, cars, subway cars, busses, airplanes…Well, do what you can with this one.
  • If you work in an office, use alcohol. No, don’t drink it. (At least before 5 p.m.) Use some cotton puffs and clean your phone, keyboard and other shared work surfaces regularly, particularly if someone else comes near it. I used to do this twice a day in the bacteria- and virus-infested ad agency where I used to work before retreating to my sterile home office. Some of this had to do with some of the creative department staff. (Another story.)
  • Manage stress, which lowers your immunity and may make you more susceptible to illness. Maybe you should drink that alcohol earlier than 5 p.m. after all.
  • Boost your natural immunity with regular exercise and a healthy diet. I did it and it didn’t work for me, but hey, it might work for you.
  • Forget what the germ doom-and-gloom-scientists say about super-bugs developing immunity and use that miracle hand sanitizer about 50 times a day. After all, we’re talking about a COLD here.
  • Go ahead and take those immunity-boosting vitamin concoctions that you pour in water and that taste like, well, crap. It can’t hurt.

So, I’ve done my public service hours for the month. Live long (and cold-free) and prosper.

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Robin

One Response to “I Feel Like Poop”

  1. Kylee Says:

    You might be cranky and not feel well, but you’ve still got a wicked sense of humor! :-) I hope you’re feeling better by now! Loved this post!

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Right Now at Bumblebee

July 24th, 2010

It was nearly 100 degrees while I was working outside today. I have a sliver of wood in my big toe, poison ivy and am covered in bug bites. Sometimes I think I need an easier hobby.

Robin

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June 24th, 2010

Holy moly, it’s hot. I was just outside providing drought assistance to the suffering greenery. Now excuse me while I cower here in the air conditioning for a bit before making dinner.

It has been such a busy work week. I have been chained to the desk. I can’t wait until the weekend. I have tomatoes to stake, flowers to plant, garlic to harvest, strawberries to keep in control, some clipping and pruning and, who can forget, weeding!

My friend Helen Yoest, from Gardening With Confidence, will be here in about 10 days. I plan to pick her brain and get advice about some real problem areas here. I was hoping for more time to prepare for an esteemed guest, but that’s just not to be. She’ll have to take me as I am.

I hope you’re all keeping cool.

Robin

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June 17th, 2010

You can’t pick up the newspaper or turn on the television without hearing more about the Gulf Coast oil disaster.

The wildlife population will be devastated for years, perhaps decades, to come. You can help with the conservation, monitoring and aid to the birds by donating to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This is the top school and science center for birds in the U.S. and sponsor of many, many programs, including citizen scientist-type programs. If you cannot afford to donate, it’s a great place to just be informed or to get involved through volunteer activities you can do in your own back yard.

Robin

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May 26th, 2010

Tonight I am grateful for the internets.

Over dinner we were talking about blast-from-the-past music and then blast-from-the-past comedy. Harry and I explained how we would play stacks of 45s on the turntable to my 19-year-old son. And I remembered my parents’ Dick Newhart album and “Driving Instructor.”  And while we were talking about old comedy, who can forget, George Carlin’s “Seven Dirty Words?” Ah, the things I am teaching my 19-year-old son! Yes, I taught him about seven dirty words!

I am also grateful that the chickens had walkabout time without destroying my garden this afternoon.

And I am grateful for that arms and shoulders P90X workout, although I will be sore again tomorrow.

Live the dream,

Robin

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Robin Ripley's currently-reading book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists