Wednesday, March 12, 2008

City Views, Country Dreams

Good Evening from New York.

I can remember when I would write a blog almost every day. Then, there were the times when I would write at least once a week.

And then, as can be the case with any sort of diary, the frequency dropped off. My last post was around the time that I actually thought that I would be soon stopping the coughing spells whose freqency was a bit alarming.

Well, the coughing went on. And on. I kept going to work, and on every available day off, used any free time to sleep, thinking that would bring on the cure. It did not.

Friends and work colleagues pestered me to see a doctor. Demands at the shop kept piling up, and my time off became less and less. Some of you may have already detected my over-developed sense of responsibility. It has been on display. It is not a way to stop a cough.

Finally, yesterday, I did arrange an appointment with my doctor. I was delighted to know that he still had kept my file, because I had not seen him in about four years. Really, I just don't get sick. I do see my various other docs, the eye man, the gynocologist, the skin cancer man, the dentist lady, but the general practitioner, or internist as they are called over here, if I have no need I will not make an appointment.

Yesterday afternoon I did promise to make another appointment for a long overdue "regular checkup." The kind and diplomatice doctor said ... my lungs are clear. He thought I might have had some sort of viral infection and gave me a prescription, which I have filled and will use for two more days, before seeing what the results might be. I will call the doctor and report the results. If all is well ... hooray. If not, I may need to have a chest x-ray. Wait ... on Monday, I had my annual mammogram. Is that not enough x-raying for the month of March?

I make a bit light of this, but it is a relief to have seen the doctor, and to have him think that there is not much wrong with me.

Today was a day off that began with ... an 8 am managers meeting. After that get together was adjourned I had the day to myself, and this afternoon actually did a little doodling around with my watercolors, inspired by the very early signs of spring that I have seen in the Park. I will return to the watercolor, which is very abstract, and mostly green and yellow. I have no idea what it may turn out to be. The main thing was that I actually got the paints out for the first time in months. I have to retrain myself!

If all goes well, I will have added to this post a picture of a painting I did many years ago, another of my china tea cups. The photo is bad, but it does give an idea of the painting.
Here in New York, we are still all abuzz about the revelations regarding Mr. Spitzer, who today resigned as Governor of our state. The blocks around the apartment building where he has his private residence (not the governor's mansion which is upstate in Albany) have been totally taken over by television sound trucks. Helicoptors bearing cameras hover above.

Meanwhile this evening brings a little news about the 22 year old young lady who had the encounter with the former governor that seems to have been the encounter (but far from the only such encounter) that doomed his career. It is entirely likely that this young lady had no idea that he was the governor. Her own story is not such a happy one.

In the midst of all of this, the coughing is abating, and spring is slowly headed our way.

Pleasant dreams to all.

25 comments:

  1. Dear Frances, Take time out to walk in your park, and stroke the turtles (if my eyes read that correctly!) Painting would be a fine way to spend an afternoon methinks. Take care, and rest up.

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Why, oh why do we all put ourselves last on the list ? take care of yourself, love the painting.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Francves, can you not take some time off, and just rest and get better?
    Beautiful painting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. As WW would say, have you been wearing your vest?? Nothing worse than a lingering cough, esecially at night. Now please take some me time and give yourself a little tlc to recover.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Poor you Frances, that's a long time to have a cough. Hope the medicine finally helps. It sounds as though you must be farly run down by now and still battling on - what about a six week course of echinacea to build up your immunity; I usually find it helpful. Lovely to hear the paints are out again - roll on spring xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dear Frances,

    Lovely to read a blog from you again, but so sorry you've been so poorly with this awful cough, but least it's nothing serious, but to go on for so long is just exhausting.

    Glad to hear you've got the paints out again! The picture you posted is lovely.

    All good wishes
    Elaine x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so glad you finally went to the doc's if coughs don't clear up naturally then they really need seeing to.


    That is a lovely painting. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Do hope that the coming Spring finally clears your cough. As others have said, take care of yourself Frances and get well soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Francis, you really must take care of yourself. We miss your blogs. I hope the signs of spring will soon have you on the mend.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely painting Frances. I hope the cough clears up soon, and that you are feeling fully fit. Take care xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good, I'm glad you got that cough checked out and that you are on the mend. You can't keep going non-stop but you know that too. The painting is absolutely beautiful, can we see more, please?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Frances - so sorry to learn that the cough is hanging on. I think this bug has infected most of North America because your symptons are duplicated all around me. The painting of the teacup is lovely - so spring like!

    ReplyDelete
  13. There's definitely stuff doing the rounds that just lingers on and on. But a relief to know about the lungs, so at least you don't have to torture yourself with doubt on that count. Lovely painting, you're very talented!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello dear francis i've missed you!
    I do hope that cough gets better theres nothing more annoying is there.xx
    The shop sale as nearly gone through and sorrel is really excited she'll be living above the shop as well so miss independant she'll be, but i won't! i'll be the buyer until she gets settled, i'm kinda looking forward to it again..Get better xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely to hear from you, Frances, and hope that lingering cough is on its way out. As you say, working all hours in the shop is no way to shift a cough, so you must take care of yourself.

    Yes, we heard about the sordid Mr Spitzer affair over here (although probably not in as much detail as on your side of the pond - all the same, it was enough for me).

    Love your painting.

    ReplyDelete
  16. That's a lovely painting and I'm glad to hear you're getting your paints out again. It's lovely to hear from you and I hope that cough goes away soon. xxPM

    ReplyDelete
  17. That cough sounds exhausting - hope the medicine does the trick.

    Love the painting.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hello Frances ...long time no see...hope you get rid of that cough soon ...it can be so wearing.
    Love the painting.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a lovely bunch you are!
    Thank you for all the comments.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely pictures. Interesting post.Good to see you yesterday.
    I like the Spode Italian plate under your cough medicine.
    I have added you to my blog roll.
    you should visit
    "Ramblings from an English Garden" -see my blog roll.
    she has wonderful pictures of England.
    Feel better!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ho yes Frances your over developed sense of responsibility has already been duly noted. If I were an employer I would very much want you on my staff. However you must tuck that vest it very tight and put yourself first. Yes your lungs are clear - but what if they hadn't been - you would have been in hospital with pneumonia before you visited your Doctor and then had I been your employer I would have had to fork out for a huge bunch of expensive flowers - now howe inconsiderate of you would that have been.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi,
    I came over from Elizabeth in Marrakesh, curious cat that I am. ;-)
    I hope the cough is not with you anymore and that you are enjoying the awakening of spring in Central Park.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I hit the send button to fast, before I could write that I like your painting very much.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dear Frances,

    A little late here, just wanted to say I hope your cough has indeed gone by now.

    I adore the painting of cup and saucer, sooo pretty. Look forward to seeing more of your beautiful creative works Frances.

    Camilla.xx

    ReplyDelete