Celebrating Wondering and Writing

I spent this week at home recuperating from implant surgery and a nasty sinus infection. Since my voice was hoarse and sore, I was advised by the ENT to stay quiet. That seemed to suit my family just fine but I had a workshop on Tuesday so I had no choice but to rest before working with the high school teachers. My foggy brain had to rally so with hot tea, honey, my slide presentation, and five boxes of contemporary books compliments of Scholastic, I was off and ready. 

The wondering began at 3:00 pm on Tuesday. The teachers and I explored how to engage the high school students in deepening their awareness of argumentative writing. I was so thankful that I made it through the presentation without a coughing attack but then when I thought everyone left the room, the nagging cough started. Water poured from the corners of my eyes and nothing seemed to stop the flow. Little did I realize that there were two teachers in the room. They kindly asked if I was okay. Clearly, I wasn't. Was I more embarrassed or fearful that the coughing would not stop. I knew I needed to go home and rest so I packed up as quickly as I could and went to the follow-up meeting. 

Would you believe that it took me an entire day and a half to regain my voice? Within that time period, I challenged myself to write ekphrastic poetry for the 6th Annual February Daily Poem Project created by Laura Shovan. Each day, I noticed, wondered, and attempted to write to the daily prompts that centered on artwork in the home. Unfortunately, my foggy brain was affecting the way I wrote but thoughts of visiting my grandbaby for Valentine's Day kept me wondering and writing. 

Day 3 Ekphrastic Poetry

This weekend, I will read the poem above and the one below to my little grandbaby and see if she has a warm smile for me before she falls fast asleep. 

Thank you Ruth Ayres for providing the space at your site to Celebrate This Week each week. I am on my way to Virginia and will check in after this weekend to read the celebrations from friends. In the meantime, I hope everyone celebrates the small moments each day. 

Under The Weather-Take Two

I avidly watched the Oscars last night, wrapped in fleece and quilts with tissues and a cup of tea next to me. As the nominated scenes were shown, I staged my own drama. I didn't dance, nor did I deliver a powerful performance. I recounted my private production, Under The Weather-Take Two, based on two earlier episodes, acute sinusitis (that I wrote about here) and rhinitis (here). The drama started the first week in January and has continued.

With the weather being so mild and balmy, it is difficult to be inside nursing a series of nagging sinus and allergy problems. I am sure that you recognize my scenario and may have had your own bout with being under the weather. There is a bit of humor to this tale. Today, it is 50 degrees outside and I am inside dressed like it is winter. Oh, wait! It is still winter but Long Island thinks it is spring and this is what may be triggering the infectious nasal conditions. The fact of the matter is that my ENT specialist says his office has been packed with numerous cases of sinusitis, colds, and allergy issues and I'm under the weather for the second time. 

While my Under The Weather-Take Two drama, may not be award quality material, it is real. Here's to another week of following some wise advice. I shall drink plenty of fluids, rest, add my allergy pill to my daily regimen, and use a newly prescribed nasal antihistamine to get back on my feet. Let's hope all of this works so I can be on top of the weather instead of under. 

I'm slicing today with Two Writing Teachers. You can join in here! 

REMINDER:

If you are interested in contributing to my #WinterWonder17 Gallery, please submit your offering as soon as possible.

Celebrating a Healthy Week

When writing colleague, Maria Caplan, commented on my Jan. 21st blog post, I knew that I needed a healthy week to follow two unhealthy ones. I said, "Enough with the winter illness and more of living the full winter experience outside" but this past week saw another trip to the ENT specialist. Maria's comment, "Here's to a healthier week," coupled with my last antibiotic should have been the antidote to will my acute sinus infection to a peaceful rest. But, alas, it was not. 

To try and be humorous, I wrote a post, Under the Weather, created a digital to bring a touch of lightness to the three week ordeal, and found hashtags that made me laugh, #undertheweather, #sinusinfection, and #sinusitis.  

But never fear. I decided today to celebrate the start of a healthier week. I gave myself a mini-holiday: read the Poetry Friday posts, filled with 45 + powerful voices, that filtered into my blog site, and engaged in a restful experience, a pedicure/manicure. Under the weather was not a phrase I wanted to hear today.

Finally, to celebrate my return to the living, I opened the windows, despite the cold outside, and washed the sheets. I honored my mother's remedy for shooing away illness.

Oh, you sickness,

What a pest.

Your nasty germs

Created mess.

Amen. It's over (I hope). I am shooing away the germs and spraying the house with Lysol tomorrow morning because it is time to celebrate life with Ruth Ayres. Join me at Celebrate This Week, my place of solace to celebrate life with others who have a positive spirit.