Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sanity in the Courtroom

I was running an errand the other day when I heard a couple news stories on the radio. I guess that's not too surprising, since the radio was on.

The first story was about the economic situation in Greece, and one statement that was made was that there was no longer a middle class in Greece, only the rich and the poor. I'm guessing there's a whole lot more 'poor' people than 'rich', so we can't be too surprised if the poor, down-trodden, huddled masses are revolting against austere measures that will probably only affect ... them.

The next story was about the results of the first legal challenge to 'The Obama Health Plan'. The court rejected the challenge. There was far too much analysis of the politics involved; the political leanings of the judges, the response to the ruling by the two parties.... I really didn't think all of that was necessary. Or interesting.

All I really took away from this second story was that somebody in the judicial system was willing to do something to help a huge group of people ... Americans. Not just rich Americans, or poor Americans, not just white Americans, black Americans or purple Americans ... all Americans. Now, if we can just find a few more people in high places that are not at the beck and call of big business and rich businessmen, we might just manage to shore up the middle class before it dissolves into a lot more poor people.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Elusive Health

I’m sick. And tired, but that’s a side effect of being sick.

This time it’s just a cold, and a mild cold, at that. Or maybe it’s mild because I was persuaded to start taking tablets containing vitamins B & C & zinc the day the symptoms went from ‘mildly yucky’ to ‘definitely sick’. And I’ve been pushing a LOT of fluids through my system. It means a lot of trips to the ‘little room’, but believe me, it’s worth it.

I’ve known for a long time that pushing fluids when you have a cold really does help you feel better. I have a friend who calls it “drowning the nasty germs”. I try to drink a gallon of fluid a day, in an attempt to keep my body moisturized, even if I’m not sick. Then when I do get sick, I try for two gallons.

The common advice given for treating colds is to rest and push fluids. I’m willing, but I haven’t figured out how to continue drinking (like a fish) when I’m sleeping. With enough fluids, I can get through the day only mildly impaired, then I retire for a good night’s sleep. All those hours of being asleep, not drinking, and I wake up definitely sick. I don’t want to get up, let alone get myself some juice, tea or whatever. But I know I have to, so I do, and an hour later, I am starting to feel human again.

I wish somebody would invent a way for me to continue drinking while I’m sleeping, so I wouldn’t have those awful mornings to wake up to while I’m fighting off a cold.