Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Reya vs. the Virus - who will survive?



If this had happened a couple of months ago, I probably would have surrendered to it. I would have made myself some hot lemonade, gone to bed and suffered, assuming it was my fate. Right about now I would be blaming myself for staying up too late at holiday parties, for eating too many cookies, etc. I would be figuring out just where I went wrong.

But in fact the terra cotta warriors have taught me a thing or two about warfare, they honestly have. The war I'm currently engaged in is a just war, my immune system vs. some terrible virus that came in through my ears and is now trying to make itself at home in my throat.

Last year as I was coming down with what turned out to be pneumonia, the Sufi acupuncturist advised me to think in terms of war, but I rejected his ideas outright because I am a pacifist.

Hmmm ... I am not a pacifist today. This morning I bundled up, then trudged down to the market and loaded my backpack with immune support remedies, also bought the ingredients to make Caldo Verde: Smiter of Colds. (Think swiss chard simmered in peppery chicken broth with garlic, potatoes and chorizo.) I'm sipping echinacea tea, slugging down EmergenC's and droppers-full of astralagus. In a little while I will go simmer in a tub full of hot water and lavendar bath salts, then sleep hard. The virus will be begging for mercy but I'm not feeling merciful, no way.

As the warriors suggested, I am putting aside thoughts of weakness (i.e. why did I eat all those cookies?) in order to focus on the task at hand. Can I head off this virus before it gets a foothold? Do virus have feet? Viruses? I don't know, but I'm going to give it my best effort. Let the war bells ring and the siege begin! Oh yeah!!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I do hope you feel better, my friend.

By the way, I've been using some of your pictures to adorn my desktop on my computer. They're just too wonderful!

Peace at Christmas time to you. (But not to that nasty virus...CRUSH IT!)

NanU said...

You will win! The virus clan will just move house.

Hopefully right now. Hopefully not to anybody we like.

Sandra Leigh said...

Oh, no. Reya -two things: Can you get Cold FX where you are? If so, and if you take it right away, you may be able to cut this virus off at the pass, as it were. Also, gargling and sniffing salt water several times a day (my virus warder-offer of the year) may help. Sending warm and healthy thoughts your way -

steven said...

so reya! you versus the virus . . . i like your armaments and the weapons are pretty good . . . . so i'll say you'll win hands down and come out smiling!!! as for the cookies being the cause . . . naaah!!!! eat -em up reya!! steven

Linda Sue said...

Christmas cookies can be blamed for many things- blubber, spike in blood sugar, divorce, sticky counter tops,hard fall after the giddy high, but virus?
Sounds like you really know how to handle this one- you will be well in no time. Merry everything! The hot soup remedy sounds delish! Stay cosy. LOVE

Tom said...

oh no! i believe virus' have psuedo-pods, they are difficult to outrun; put up a good fight, believe me, i will join you in the trenches, as i feel the bugs circling...just in time for Christmas--gee, what a nice present.

glnroz said...

Dang, I do hope you get to feeling better. I hope you have a good holiday season.

Deborah said...

You can take the bugs!

My guess is that you will both survive and you will isolate and eject 'em.

Onward and Upward

Love and strength to you.

Reya Mellicker said...

Actually I am feeling better! That Caldo Verde could put hair on your chest. Whew!!

ellen abbott said...

They are absolutely right, the warriors.

Barbara Martin said...

Reya, you must fight back against any virus. Try Oil of Oregano, and a tea that works wonders is ginger and lemon.

Put your feet up, drape something fuzzy and warm over you and sip your hot tea.

Nancy said...

Hang in there, Reya! Fight hard! It has had me down for a month now...

Kathleen said...

Well, I just learned a thing or two about battling viruses! Thank you. I'm going to go clean my bathtub now...keep winning the battle!

Val said...

Reya - YOU will win - I have no doubts!!! hope you are feeling better very soon. Keep warm and enjoy the festive time - much love to you xx

Kerry said...

Somewhere I need to make a note of that Caldo Verde stuff: sounds potent. I also firmly believe that cookies (any kind) have strong medicinal properties. Think how sick you would have been had you not eaten those rum balls the other day.

Unknown said...

Hope you feel better soon! Fight the good fight.

Mrsupole said...

Fight the good fight and you will win the war against the virus. Listen to the warriors, they know what they are talking about. Lots of soup and tea, sounds good.

Get well soon.

God bless.

Reya Mellicker said...

Cookies have medicinal properties? Excellent news!!

As of this morning I can say with confidence that this is just a head cold. Earache: gone. Fever: gone. I'm stuffed up and rather lethargic, but that's it.

I claim victory even as I blow my nose. Yay!!

Steve Reed said...

I hope you headed off the virus! Please give us a progress report!

I had something for the past week or so but fortunately it never turned into anything very significant. I know it wasn't the cookies' fault! LOL!

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

Hope you are feeling better and when I read Caldo Verde, I was transported back to the first time I had it in Portugal...and many times since then and know it will help battle that virus!