[Previous entry: "Holiday Rambler"] [Main Index]

12/30/2007: "Miss Scarlet – In the Bedroom – With Antibiotics."

Hi There! Happy Almost 2008! Where have I been, you ask?
I usually manage to come down with a little bit of post-holiday malaise every year, a little cold or something. Just as an earthly reminder that I need to slow the heck down and take it easy for a few days.

This year, however, I simply set the bar a bit higher, and for your amusement and reading pleasure, I’ve managed to conjure up a nice case of… are you ready for this… Scarlet Fever.
Yes, you read that correctly. Scarlet Fever.

What the hell!?!?

Scarlet Fever, or Scarlatina, is a variant of the humble strep throat bacteria. Widely perceived by many (me included, before now!) to be a thing of the past, and a malady that usually plagues babies and children. Not so much!

Of course all my mental images of scarlet fever had to do with characters in the books I read as a child, particularly Mary Ingalls in the “Little House” books, and Beth March in “Little Women”. In case you don’t remember, these were NOT good outcomes, y’all!

Somehow I managed to get my nearly 40 year old self infected, and it does seem to be flourishing. I am a swollen, sore, blotchy train wreck of a thing right now. I am certainly no delicate languid flower of a literary heroine, swooning upon the divan in a gossamer dressing gown. For me it’s flannel pajamas with a coffee and donut print, a mismatched tee shirt and quite a bit of unladylike whining, swearing and complaining. And drugs, LOTS of drugs. (Oh yes, bring on the drugs!)

Although “Scarlet Fever” sounds WAY more dramatic than plain ol’ “strep throat” it’s just a bit more annoying and I should be back to my old self soon. (I have WAY too much to do to be sick for long!)
My prince charming is taking very good care of me, bringing me ginger ale and Haagen Dazs and warm blankies. My Hero!
I’m off to the couch with the tv remote, some advil and a long-neglected knitting project that I’ve resurrected for the occasion. Back soon! *mwah*