slowing down

I spent the second half of the week slowing down -- resting, recovering from something.  It's a touch of the flu, I'm sure -- my mother told me over the phone from hundreds of miles away, all her nursing and mothering instincts at work.

I've had the flu before, sometimes worse than others.  It came at me like a wave on Wednesday afternoon, exhaustion and headache and sniffly nose, as I tried (in vain) to diffuse immunity boosting oils and drink green juice.  I've spent the last few days in bed, humidifier humming, a cup of tea always at my side, more tired than I've been in years.

This morning I tried to rid the house of germs, wiping surfaces and changing the sheets, filling every room with eucalyptus and pink roses.  I sat in the sun, watching re-runs, thumbing through a textbook, dreaming of spring.  February is here.