Sick of Being Sick, a Random and Happy Tuesday Post

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It's time once again for a random and happy Tuesday, linking up with Stacy's Random Thoughts at Stacy Uncorked and Sandee at Comedy Plus.  

Carl and family seem to have finally gotten over the creepy-crud (Covid).

Last week, i did not risk going over there to clean, i simply cooked a huge batch of soup for them and did their grocery shopping.

This week, after Carl being home for two weeks straight and no one going in there to clean up after him, i knew it would a long haul.

I'd misunderstood and thought he would be back at work yesterday.  Instead, he stayed home and took one last test (negative, thank heaven), then went to the doctor to get the coveted note saying he was cleared so he could go back to work.

(His parents are now negative as well, but staying home to take it easy.  Yes, i still wore mask, shield and gloves.)

This meant one more day where he was home while i cleaned.  This means settling him in his living room chair with a fresh sheet and fresh pillowcases so i can wash the rest of the bedding.

I told him the pajamas and robe he was wearing were his responsibility to wash once he was no longer wearing them.  I'm very careful to explain this to him each time it happens, as he once asked me why his pjs were still dirty when i left.

You were still wearing them and i can't put them in the washer when they are on you, i explained.  This still confuses him, but i think he's starting to figure it out.

Everything was in a right state, the laundry stain remover spray was in the car again and he seems to have learned a new trick during his lengthy time at home.

Between Carl's apartment and the main part of the house is a hall with storage cabinets on one side and a door into the laundry room on the other.

Carl came into his room twice while i was there and since i was back and forth to the laundry room with his four loads (!) i noticed he now has a new place for stashing things.

On top of the storage cabinets in the hall, directly across from the laundry room door, he has started stowing things, probably when he's going in the laundry room or grabbing something from storage, and simply leaving them there because of course he forgets.

I also found this.

That's Vick's throat spray in the laundry cabinet.

Carl is not particularly thrilled about going back to work but the rest of us are ready.

In honor of Carl's two weeks of sick leave, some funnies.

Have a blessed and beautiful Tuesday, everyone!

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Today is:

Charles Dickens Day -- read a chapter or two of his work, in honor of his birth

Daniel Boone Escape Day -- he escaped from the Shawnee tribe which had captured him

Feast of Mulk (Dominion) -- Baha'i

Ice Cream for Breakfast Day -- because you have to do it at least once a year

Independence Day -- Grenada(1974)

Marriage Week -- UK (part of the Futureway Trust, and now observed around the world, celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of marriage as the heart of family life)    

National Fettucini Alfredo Day

National Hangover Awareness Day -- internet generated and shouldn't it be on Jan.1?

Safer Internet Day -- organized originally by Insafe, now called Better Internet for Kids (promotes safe and responsible use of the internet by teaching children how to keep themselves safe online; "Together for a better internet")   

Send a Card to a Friend Day -- wonder which card company created this one

St. Theodore Stratelates' Day (Patron of soldiers; Brindisi, Italy; for finding lost objects)

Wave All you Fingers at Your Neighbor Day -- sponsored by Wellcat Holidays; wave to your neighbors, let them know you like them

Birthdays Today:

Tina Majorino, 1985

Ashton Kutcher, 1978

Chris Rock, 1965

Garth Brooks, 1962

Eddie Izzard, 1962

James Spader, 1960

Miguel Ferrer, 1954

Hector Babenco, 1946

Pete Postlethwaite, 1945

Gay Talese, 1932

Keefe Brasselle, 1923

Eddie Bracken, 1920

Oscar Brand, 1920

Larry "Buster" Crabbe, 1908

Sinclair Lewis, 1885

James Hubert “Eubie” Blake, 1883

Alfred Adler, 1870

Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev, 1834

Charles Dickens, 1812

John Deere, 1804

Sir Thomas More, 1478

Debuting/Premiering Today:

"America's Most Wanted"(TV), 1988

"Blazing Saddles"(Film), 1974

"Pinocchio"(Disney animated Film), 1940

"The Cat and the Canary"(Play), 1922

"Kid Auto Races at Venice"(first Charlie Chaplin "Little Tramp" Film), 1914

"Chantecler"(Rostand Play), 1910

"The Deserter"(first ballet performed in US), 1827

"Il Matrimonio Segreto" (Comarosa Opera), 1792

Today in History:

The Mongols burn the Russian city of Vladimir, 1238

Edward of Carnarvon, later Edward II, becomes the first English prince to hold the title Prince of Wales, 1301

The bonfire of the vanities occurs in which supporters of Girolamo Savonarola burn thousands of objects like cosmetics, art, and books in Florence, Italy, 1497

King Philip II forms an inquisition in South America, 1569

Academie Francaise begins a Dictionary of the French Language, 1639

An 8.2 magnitude earthquake shakes New Madrid, Missouri, 1812

The colonial Tasmanian Parliament passes the Electoral Act of 1856, the first piece of legislation anywhere in the world providing for elections by way of a secret ballot, 1856

The Battle at Ingogo, Transvaal: the Boers defeat superior British forces, 1881

The Great Blizzard of 1891 begins, 1891

Émile Zola is brought to trial for libel for publishing J'Accuse, 1898

Baltimore catches fire; 1500 buildings are destroyed in 80 blocks, 1904

The Mud March, the first large procession organized by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), 1907

Charlie Chaplin debuts "The Tramp" in "Kid Auto Races at Venice," 1914

The first wireless message sent from a moving train to a station is received, 1915

Bert Hinkler begins the first solo flight from England to Australia, 1928

Pluto moves inside Neptune's orbit for the first time since either was discovered, 1979

Astronauts Bruce McCandless II and Robert L. Stewart make the first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), 1984

The Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party agrees to give up its monopoly on power, 1990

Haiti's first democratically-elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, is sworn in, 1991

The Maastricht Treaty is signed, leading to the creation of the European Union, 1992

Crown Prince Abdullah becomes the King of Jordan on the death of his father, King Hussein, 1999

Bushfires in Victoria left 173 dead in the worst natural disaster in Australia's history, 2009

In Europe, ready-meal manufacturer, Findus, withdrew its beef lasagne meals from supermarkets after confirming beef supplied by French manufacturer, Comigel contained horsemeat, 2013

All citrus fruit can be traced to the southeast foothills of the Himalayas, according to a DNA study published in Nature, 2018

Sarah Thomas becomes the first woman to referee a Super Bowl, 2021

Only One?

Friend Chris came in one day last week and said, "Look at this!" as he opened his mouth and shone his camera's flashlight into his maw.

His tonsils were a splendid swollen sight, his uvula huge and longer than usual.

Tonsillitis, most likely, i said.  Or strep or similar.

"Great!" he said.  "That means I have to get to the doctor, and I'm leaving town for another work assignment in a couple of days."

He did get to the doctor, who said, "Tonsillitis!" and put him on an antibiotic.

Thinking it over later, i now wonder.

A couple of days later, Bigger Girl came in and said, "Mom, is my throat red and swollen?"

Of course it was.

Want me to make an appointment with Dr. Rey? i asked, referring to the GP who has become the mainstay of our doctor visits since the kids got old enough to not really want to see the pediatrician.

"No, I'm going to go to the mini-ER, it's Friday afternoon and I need to get it looked at before I go in to work this evening," she said.

Her diagnosis was pharyngitis, and the mini-ER doctor put her on a steroid.

Saturday, right on cue, #2 Son came in and asked about his own sore throat, with one tonsil swollen and the back of his throat looking like it was spreading.  A text to Dr. Rey confirmed that the first thing to do was gargle with warm salt water a lot and keep an eye on it.

By Tuesday, #2 Son was worse, feeling tired and his lymph nodes were swelling, and went off to the doctor.

Diagnosis:  Pharyngitis.  Probable cause: Mono.

We are waiting for test results to confirm, but he's on a steroid, too, because there's nothing else you can do for mono.

Everyone is avoiding too close contact with him, and we are hoping it doesn't turn out Bigger Girl has it too (unlikely, considering she's getting better and had no fatigue or other symptoms).

We also have to wonder about Friend Chris.  If he comes back from his out of town work complaining of being tired and isn't over the tonsillitis, we may know where it all started.

Meanwhile, trying to be a wit about it, someone here who shall remain nameless said, "At least it's only one thing wrong -- that's why they call it 'mono'!"

Let's hope it's only the one patient, too.

Today is:

Awkward Moments Day -- harness the power of humor in life's more uncomfortable situations

Asklepieia -- Ancient Greek Calendar (festival of Asklepios; date approximate)

Bindus Diena -- Ancient Latvain Calendar (believed to be the day bears woke from hibernation)

Birthday of Sparky the Fire Dog -- can't confirm the exact date, but Sparky became an official fire prevention mascot in Mar. 1951

Celtic Tree Month Fearn (Alder) begins

Cheikh Al Maarouf Day -- Comoros

Dietician's Day -- Canada 

Electric Razor Day -- Schick, Inc., marketed the first one today in 1931

Forgive Mom and Dad Day -- because we all make mistakes; sponsored by Wellcat Holidays

Goddess of Fertility Day -- a modern celebration of all goddesses of fertility

Grandparents' and Grandchildren's Day -- Michigan, US

Jacques de Molay's Day -- death anniversary of the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar

Kids Kick Butts Day -- Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids www.tobaccofreekids.org and www.kickbuttsday.org/

Men's and Soldiers Day -- Mongolia

National Agriculture Day -- US ( agday.org if you eat, thank a farmer!)

National Anthem and Flag Day -- Aruba

National Biodiesel Day -- birth anniversary of Rudolph Diesel, who unveiled his engine at the World Fair in 1900

National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day

Oide Matsuri -- Hakui, Japan (horse-back archery; through the 23rd)

Sheelah's Day -- Ireland (probably Sheela Na Gig, goddess of fertility; celebrated the day after St. Patrick's Day by those who say she was either his wife or his mother)

Sheep and Goats (Separation) Day -- Fairy Calendar

St. Anselm of Lucca's Day (Patron of Mantua, Italy)

St. Edward the Martyr's Day

Supreme Sacrifice Day -- an internet generated holiday now used to honor those who have made a supreme sacrifice, all who have given their lives for others

Usajingu Reitaisai -- Japan (offerings to the Kami from the Imperial Household are shared in this very important festival)


Anniversary Today:

Eddie Murphy marries Nicole Mitchell, 1993


Birthdays Today:

Alexei Yagudin, 1980
Dane Cook, 1972
Queen Latifah, 1970
Bonnie Blair, 1964
Vanessa Williams, 1963
Irene Cara, 1959
Brad Dourif, 1950
Kevin Dobson, 1944
Wilson Pickett, 1941
Charlie Pride, 1938
Sashi Kapoor, 1938
F.W. deKlerk, 1936
John Updike, 1932
George Plimpton, 1927
John Kander, 1927
Peter Graves, 1926
William H. Johnson, 1901
Edward Everett Horton, 1886
Rudolph Diesel, 1858
Grover Cleveland, 1837
John Caldwell Calhoun, 1782


Debuting/Premiering Today:

"Do I Hear a Waltz?"(Musical), 1965
"Tovarich"(Musical), 1963
"Tales of Wells Fargo"(TV), 1957
The New Babylon(Silent Film), 1929
"Verklarte Nacht"(Schonberg, Op. 4), 1902


Today in History:

Crusaders kill 57 Jews in Bury St Edmonds England, 1190
German emperor Frederick II crowns himself king of Jerusalem, 1229
Kraków is ravaged by Mongols, 1241
According to legend, Tenochtitlan is founded on this date, 1325
John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton sells his part of New Jersey to the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, 1673
Henry Wells and William Fargo form American Express in Buffalo, NY, 1850
Former Governor General Lord Stanley pledges to donate a silver challenge cup, later named after him, as an award for the best hockey team in Canada, 1893
Mohandas Gandhi is sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience (he served only 2 years), 1922
The first public celebration of Bat mitzvah, for the daughter of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, is held in New York City, 1922
The Tri-State Tornado hits the Midwestern US states of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, killing 695 people, 1925
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy kills 26 and causes thousands to flee their homes, 1944
Cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov, leaving his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes, becomes the first person to walk in space, 1965
The U.S. Congress repeals the requirement for a gold reserve to back US currency, 1968
In Egypt, a 4,400-year-old mummy is found nearby the Pyramid of Cheops, 1989
White South Africans vote overwhelmingly in favour, in a national referendum, to end the racist policy of Apartheid, 1992
Bosnia's Bosniaks and Croats sign the Washington Agreement, ending warring between the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and establishing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1994
British Sign Language is recognised as an official British language, 2003
For the first time, a woman served as imam, leading a public, mixed-gender, Muslim congregation in Jum'ah prayer and delivering the sermon, 2005

How to have a crazy Saturday...

...just as i did this past weekend.

Come downstairs with a list of things to so just in time to hear #2 Son, the one with two broken hands, yell, "Mom, can you bring me a bucket?  I think I'm going to be sick!"

Bring him the bucket, just in time.

While cleaning up the results of the need for the use of the bucket, have #1 Son come in saying, "Mom, I feel really weird, dizzy and light headed.  And my heart is pounding, and I'm sweating, and my extremities keep going numb."

As you turn to assess the situation, have a cat start gacking up and making really strange noises, as if she is choking.

When the cat doesn't stop making those noises, grab your phone, call the vet, get them to agree to see the cat if you can come in right away.  Decide to call Sweetie to ask if he can come bring the cat so you can call the doctor about #1 Son's weird symptoms.  Get no answer, because he went to get himself some breakfast and forgot his phone.

Run the cat to the vet as fast as you can, agreeing to pick it up in an hour, and rush back.

Call the doctor and let #1 Son describe his symptoms.

Find out he is going to be fine, it's just a virus, listen as #2 Son says he is feeling better now that he's gotten it all out of his system, and get cat back to find that she just has a bad virus, and the choking sound is just her weird way of trying to clear the mucus.

Decide you've had enough excitement for the whole day, and when Sweetie comes in and asks how was your morning, tell him he missed all the fun.  As usual.

And no, i don't recommend this form of excitement!


Today is:

August Tuesday / Culturama -- St. Kitts and Nevis

Barsi Bhagat Puran Singh -- Sikhism

Bogota Carnival -- Bogota, Colombia (celebrating the city's Hispanic founding; through tomorrow)

Carnival Tuesday -- Antigua and Barbuda (Last Lap Jump Up)

Celtic Tree Month Coll (Hazel) commences

Festival Tuesday -- British Virgin Islands

Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead Day -- uttered this day by Admiral Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864

Hanakasa Matsuri -- Yamagata City, Japan (10,000 costumed dancers perform; through the 7th)

Independence Day / Republic Day -- Burkina Faso (former Upper Volta)(1960)

International Beer Day

National Blackmail Day -- according to mostly ecard sites, with suggestions to send a card to the friend who has told you his/her secrets, with the notice that you plan on celebrating this date!

National Night Out -- US (sponsored by National Association of Town Watch, to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness)

National Underwear Day -- sponsored by www.freshpair.com, which encourages people to rethink their underwear style, make sure they have the right fit, and which gives away free underwear

National Waffle Day

Nuestra Senora de Africa -- CE, Spain (Day of Our Lady of Africa, also called Fiestas Patronales)

Oyster Day

Pixie of the Year Competition -- Fairy Calendar

Sacrifice to Salus -- Ancient Roman Calendar (goddess of health, associated with Greek Hygeia)

St. Afra of Augsburg's Day (Patron of converts, martyrs, penitent women; Augsburg, Germany)

St. Oswald of Northumbria's Day (Patron of Zug, Switzerland)

Tish'a B'Av -- Judaism (began sunset yesterday, through sunset today)

Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian defenders -- Croatia

Work Like a Dog Day -- different from work-a-holics, people who work like a dog work hard while they are at it, and rest when they aren't

World's Fair of Money -- Chicago, IL, US (the greatest money show on Earth, including dealers, exhibits from around the world, family activities and educational programs; through Saturday)


Birthdays Today:

Jonathan Silverman, 1966
Patrick Aloysius Ewing, 1962
Maureen McCormick, 1956
Erika Slezak, 1946
Loni Anderson, 1946
Ja’net DuBois, 1938
John Saxon, 1936
Neil Armstrong, 1930
Sydney Omarr, 1926
Raoul Wallenberg, 1912
John Huston, 1906
Conrad Potter Aiken, 1889
Joseph Merrick, 1862
Guy de Maupassant, 1850
Thomas Lynch, Jr., 1749
John Eliot, 1604
Joseph Justus Scaliger, 1540


Debuting/Premiering Today:

"Revolver"(Beatles Album, release date), 1966
"Eleanor Rigby" & "Yellow Submarine"(Beatles singles, A & B side respectively, release date), 1966
"American Bandstand"(TV, national premiere), 1957
"Andy Capp"(Comic strip), 1957
"Little Orphan Annie"(Comic strip), 1924


Today in History

The last outpost of Bar Kockba, Betar, falls to Rome, 135
Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Northumbria at the Battle of Maserfield, 642
King Edward and Earl Aetherlred, leading the allied forces of Mercia and Wessex, defeat the last major Viking army to raid England at the Battle of Tettenhall, 910
Anti-Jewish riots in Arnstadt, Germany, 1264
Sir Humphrey Gilbert establishes first English colony in North America, at what is now St John's, Newfoundland, 1583
The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England on its first attempt to reach North America, 1620
New York Weekly Journal writer John Peter Zenger is acquitted of seditious libel against the royal governor of New York, on the basis that what he had published was true, 1735
US Army abolishes flogging, 1861
Standard Oil of New Jersey is established, 1882
The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty is laid on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor, 1884
Bertha Benz drives from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back in the first long distance automobile trip made in her husbands invention, the first patented automobile; her journey was to publicize the invention, and she garnered attention and sales, 1888
The first electric traffic light is installed, in Cleveland, Ohio, 1914
Debut of the comic strip "Little Orphan Annie", by Harold Gray, 1924
Debut of the comic strip "Andy Capp", by Smythe, 1957
Nelson Mandela is jailed, 1962*
The United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union sign a nuclear test ban treaty, 1963
The city of Knin, a significant Serb stronghold, is captured by Croatian forces during Operation Storm, 1995
The Copiapo mining accident traps 33 Chilean miners about 2,300ft below the ground, 2010

*Released in 1990

Silly Sunday: It's not that bad!

Silly Sunday is hosted by Sandee, of Comedy Plus.  It's the place to come for weekly laughs.  It's easy to participate, just laugh and link up!

Little Girl came to me and said, "Mom, what does it mean when the top of the back of your throat itches, and you are coughing up a stuff that has a bit of blood in it?"

It means you probably have a sinus infection and you need to go to the doctor, i told her.

"But I don't want to go to the doctor!" she whined.

Tough, i told her, i'm calling in the morning to make an appointment.

This, of course, reminds me of a joke.

Boudreaux run into Dr. Comeau one day down at de local watering hole, and de good doctor ax him, "Hey, Boudreaux, how come you never come see me?"

Boudreaux, he say, "Well, Dr. Comeau, it be like dis.  For to digest my food, I drink beer.  If I don't got no appetite, I drink strawberry wine.  If my blood pressure get too low, I drink muscadine wine.  If'n it get too high, I drink Scotch.  When I got a cold, I drink schnapps."

"When do you ever drink water?" Dr. Comeau ax.


"Doc, I ain't never been dat sick!"



Today is

Anne Hutchinson Memorial Day -- Portsmouth, RI, US (honoring Anne Marbury Hutchinson, co-founder of Portsmouth, in 1638)

Asalhka Puja Day -- Buddhism (Buddhist "Lent" begins)

Barbershop Music Appreciation Day -- anniversary of the founding of Sweet Adelines International

Beans and Franks Day

Disability Awareness Day -- UK (the world's largest "not for profit" volunteer-led disability exhibition)

Embrace Your Geekness Day -- sponsored by Wellcat Holidays, celebrate your love of online dungeon games, comic books, or dressing up like a vampire

Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival -- University of Fairbanks, AK (a unique study and performance festival; through the 27th)

Feast of Kalimat (Words) -- Baha'i Faith

Fool's Paradise Day -- a day to figure out how a fool can achieve paradise?  or how it can be paradise if it is full of fools?

Go West Day -- commemorates Horace Greeley's "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country."

Gruntled Workers Day -- sponsored by Wellcat Holidays; those of us who are gruntled, as opposed to the disgruntled, should unite and pass along some "great work" compliments to those doing a good job

International Puzzle Day -- some sites say Jan. 29, but today is Erno Rubik's birthday

Lá Cuimhneacháin Náisiúnta -- Republic of Ireland (National Day of Commemoration, honoring all Irish people who have died in war or as part of a UN peacekeeping mission)

La Retraite Aux Flambeaux -- France (night watch, before Bastille Day)

National French Fries Day

Obon (Ulambana) -- Buddhist; Shinto (Festival of the Lanterns, a time of honoring the ancestors, a reunion of them with the living; through the 15th, although Obon festivals are held on various dates in July at temples throughout the world)

Ss. Cyril and Methodius' Parish Festival -- Sheboygan, WI, US (dance, Slovenian foods and music, and a Polka Mass)

Statehood Day -- Montenegro

St. Henry the Emperor's Day (Patron of childless people, disabled people, dukes, handicapped people, kings, people rejected by religious orders, physically challenged people; Bamberg, Germany; Basel, Switzerland; Benedictine Oblates; against sterility)

St. Joel the Prophet's Day (Old Testament prophet of the Book of Joel)


Birthdays Today

Anthony Jerome “Spud” Webb, 1963
Cameron Crowe, 1957
Jane Hamilton, 1957
Michael Spinks, 1956
Louise Mandrell, 1954
Cheech Marin, 1946
Erno Rubik, 1944
Harrison Ford, 1942
Roger McGuinn, 1942
Robert Forster, 1941
Patrick Stewart, 1940
Jack Kemp, 1935
Wole Soyinka, 1934
David Storey, 1933
Bob Crane, 1928
Dave Garroway, 1913
Nathan Bedford Forrest, 1821
Julius Caesar, BC100


Today in History

Capt James Cook begins 2nd trip (Resolution) to South Seas, 1772
William Wordsworth, on a walking tour through the Wye Valley, visited the ruins of Tintern Abbey and a few miles further on composed a poem about them, 1798
Greek War of Independence: Greeks defeated Ottoman forces at Thermopylae, 1822
Henry R Schoolcraft discovers the source of the Mississippi River, 1832
After 9,957 unnumbered patents, the U.S. Patent Office issues Patent No. 1, for locomotive wheels, 1836
Queen Victoria becomes the first British monarch to live at Buckingham Palace in London, 1837
First day of the New York Draft Riots in response to President Abraham Lincoln's Enrollment Act of Conscription, 1863
Horace Greeley publishes his editorial advising young men to "Go West, young man, go west and grow up with the country," 1865
PT Barnum's American Museum was destroyed in one of the most spectacular fires in New York City's history, 1865
Gold was discovered near Cochrane, Ontario, Canada, 1909
The British airship R34 lands in Norfolk, England, completing the first airship return journey across the Atlantic in 182 hours of flight, 1919
Alexander Butterfield reveals the existence of the Nixon tapes to the special Senate committee investigating the Watergate break in, 1973
The Live Aid benefit concert, a telecast fundraising concert for famine relief in Ethiopia, was held in London and Philadelphia, as well as other venues such as Sydney and Moscow, 1985
American Thoroughbred racehorse Cigar wins his 16th consecutive top-class race, the first horse to do so since Triple Crown winner citation, 1996
Researchers reveal two studies showing the antiretroviral drugs prescribed to treat AIDS can also prevent HIV infections, 2011