Thursday, March 6, 2008

The Dark Moon



I thought it was allergies, but actually what I'm suffering from is a cold. It's not the hideous bubonic flu so many folks had this past winter, just a garden variety cold. It could be worse.

In many ways it seems fitting and proper that the cycle of this moon (formerly known as the eclipsed moon from hell) should end with annoying sinus congestion, a lot of nose blowing, bloodshot eyes and a matted nest of hair. It's my body's way of blowing a big raspberry at this moon, also a bit like cutting off my nose to spite my face. But I didn't do it on purpose - it's just happening this way.

Though I can't work when I'm sick, there are some things about the experience I actually kind of like. A break in my usual routine is always a good thing. Everything that's normal just stops. It's so startling to me, a creature of habit and routine, to understand that the usual can be so easily disrupted. And as long as the cold isn't too serious, there's something kind of nice about looking at the world through the fog of congestion. It's like an old lace curtain that both reveals and conceals.

I've got a Chinese movie and the BBC series about life before the dinosaurs from Netflix - both easy to watch and silly, too. And there's the brand new New Yorker on the coffee table, in case I feel like reading (a little bit harder to do through this lace curtain, but maybe I can just look at the cartoons).

I'll do my part to get over this minor ailment, you know, rest, juice, tea, stupid TV. In so doing, may all the goo that's exiting my nose and eyes take with it the sadness, fear and anxiety I've been carrying around since the eclipse. Please? Thank you! Onwards and upwards.

11 comments:

mouse (aka kimy) said...

out with the old and in with the new - sending along some energy to help cast out all old "fear and anxiety"

enjoy your downtime and may the curtain be lifted soon.

ah, yes must subscribe to the new yorker - thanks for the reminder, even though you didn't intend to do so!

namaste

David said...

"It's like an old lace curtain that both reveals and conceals."

Love this. Very true. Have you ever read the essay, "On Being Ill" by Virginia Woolf? I haven't read it in a while, but I recall that there are some really great passages in it on how the mind takes in the world differently when the body is sick, and how even though the body wants to just do nothing, the mind sometimes gets a dose of creativity as it begins to see everyday things in new ways.

The hard part, I guess, is turning that jolt of creativity into anything productive, since your body just wants to veg!

Feel better soon.

Squirrel said...

yes enjoy some relaxation, rest and feel better soon.

we are in a extra sunny mood here--Nyackers being a very positive group to begin with--
must come with the crocus and spring-like weather, all this extra goodwill. I think we are quite a bit behind you allergy wise, tho I don't know anyone with pollen allergies, they must be rough when the pollen season is a long one or extra fuzzy.

I like Rothko's mention of V. Woolf and creativity while ill.

R.L. Bourges said...

R&R to you.

IntangibleArts said...

...and when it's time to shuck off that sicky thing, remember the humble tangerine: the total cure for anything.

Those nasty genetic freaks called "tangelos" don't count. For the love of all that's holy, get thee some proper tangerines if possible.

Proof of magic in a tiny orange ball.

Lynne said...

What a perfect photo to go with your post! Love it!

Feel better soon, Reya!

Squirrel said...

ps Jake looks very sleek in the photo--

have you ever gone inside the bookstor ?

Reya Mellicker said...

Why haven't I gone inside the bookstore? And while I'm at it, how come it's only today that I've learned that the tangerine cures everything? I had no idea!

Never read V.W.'s essay - must find it and read it. I loved a very different book, The Alchemy of Illness written by a very driven person who got Chronic Fatigue. It took her ten years to recover, during which time she had quite the creative experience.

As for myself, I'm feeling better. Even took a walk just now - it's lovely outside! Tomorrow the moon turns and then all will be well.

Mouse you simply HAVE to subscribe to the New Yorker!!

Washington Cube said...

I had that cold. Luckily, it stays a cold and doesn't turn into any of the "itis's." Lots of honking and hacking though.

Hammer said...

My newest cold remedy is to play the "Pink Panther" movie marathon I recorded and fast forward though it so I can watch all the fight scenes with Cato back-to-back while I lay on my couch and drink OJ and tea. By God it works I tell you.

Glad you're on the upswing!

dennis said...

Dennis wants you to feel nice.