Question for the day

Given the fact that the body uses nasty methods (runny nose, sneezing, coughing) to rid itself of germs, did people get over colds faster before we had medicine to stop the sneezing, coughing, and nose blowing? Are we actually prolonging the misery by trying to feel better faster?

Just wondering. I hope someone can answer.

Snot's job

Alex brought a cold home from school last week and so kindly shared it with the rest of us. He went to the doctor and got prescription Benedryl and cough syrup with codeine. The doctor told him not to drive until he's done taking it. He didn't wonder why until he got home. I told him that it will make him sleepy, and that he'd be driving under the influence since codeine is a narcotic pain killer.

His eyes got really big. "Like Morphine?"

"Yeah, they're cousins."

He eyed it suspiciously and hasn't opened it. I can't say for sure, but I think he was remembering how Scout had to read to her cranky, drooling neighbor who was overcoming morphine addiction in "To Kill A Mockingbird", none of which has to do with snot's job. That's just the back-story.

Vicky has got his cold now. She's been blowing her nose every two minutes for a couple of days, and last night she finally had enough. Eric walked through the kitchen and she caught the movement.

"Dad, WHY do I have all this snot in my head?" (He was a dietician, ergo he worked around doctors, ergo he's the 'medical authority'.)

"It's produced in your sinuses, honey," answered Eric, who has learned not to give $5.00 answers when she's sick. He retreated quickly to avoid the rest of the whine, and it worked--just barely.

She sniffed indignantly as she reached for the Kleenex box. I managed not to smile when I told her, "The snot is how your body gets rid of the germs."

For once I didn't get the all-knowing-teen eye-roll. "Really?"

"Yeah. It has to get the germs out somehow."

"Oh." That seemed to make it all right. I didn't hear a whine out of her for the rest of the night.

It's rare for my word to be gospel these days. I had those few heady days when they were toddlers, and I miss them now.

Perspective, the morning after

OK, so the book isn't done yet. Mine won't be the only one; I know of at least two of my students who won't be done either. (Vicky finished Wednesday, and I'm proud of her. She worked like crazy on it.) This is also the first run of this class, so rough spots were to be expected. On the bright side, I added 14 pages to the manuscript this week. I think that was almost 6,000 words. That's better than I've done all year. Another 3-4 days of that and it will be done in plenty of time to e-mail to the kids for final approval. I have also been thinking about how to do it differently next time.

This has been an interesting class for me. Once again, I've underestimated teens. They were very enthusiastic, didn't complain very much when the rest of the class didn't agree, and so far their stories have been really great. I know a couple want to take the class again.

For now, I have to get ready for class. I have my part printed so it's a matter of stapling and gathering my notes on editing. The last class is next week. It's been great, but I'm looking forward to having my old schedule back. It means I have to work on Friday, but I don't have to work on Saturday. Yeah for a day off!

Slow going

I'm up to 460 minutes, or 7.67 hours. According to my goal I should be right at 1,000 today. Uh huh.

The good news is I've at least put in a few words every day except one this month. I guess I have to start somewhere.

I was hoping to have the class story finished, but unless I get into the zone in the next 15 minutes or so it's just not going to happen. Spug and Vanessa are about to rescue Steven, but then they have to get to the Sacred Valley and put the Blessed Shawl Pin of Pachacuti into the door outside his tomb. It doesn't make sense now, but give me another week and I'll have it on-line. (Hopefully it will be done by then...)

Compatiblity myth

Before I go off on my tangent, I have 330 minutes in for the month. Yeah. Miles to go before I sleep.

I've been seeing lots of commercials for dating services that promise to match people up with their perfect mate. They do this by matching up likes and dislikes, and the logic is that the more compatible the people, the better they'll be as a couple. I'm here to tell you, total compatibility is over-rated. WAY over-rated.

Eric and I have been married for 19 years. Most of them have been good. The bad times made us stronger as individuals, as a couple and, by extension, as a family. Eric is a night owl; I turn into a pumpkin about 10:00. He gets out of bed and is out the door in twenty minutes flat. It takes me twenty minutes to get to my second cup of coffee, and that's generally when my brain kicks in. When we married, he was a cat person and I was a dog person. It took three cats, one dog and the better part of a decade to reform me. He fights well; I tend to avoid conflict to the point of passive aggression. (Passive aggression never solved anything, and it sure doesn't work on teenagers.) He's Tigger; I'm Eeyore. You get the picture.

Alex and I had a conversation last night about marriage. Apparently, there are two seniors at his school who are married to each other, which just sounds insane to me, but you just never know. Most people thought Eric and I wouldn't last. The best estimate they gave us was five years. At five years, we were strong. That's not to say we haven't had bad years. There was one defining moment that I'll always remember when I asked him if he wanted me to move out. The stubborn kicked in for both of us and it slowly got better. When you meet the right person, you just know. You might not be able to tell anyone why, but you'll know. I did. I still do.

Quick break in the action

I actually got around to doing the math on my modified NaNo. 50 hours shakes out to 3,000 minutes. I'm up to about 300. I think. I got a little time in this morning, and I'm heading back upstairs in a few minutes. I'm working on the story for my writing class; I'm doing the class story, and the kids are doing their own individual stories. I'll have the class story on Dragonsroost.net next week. This week I have to finish it and pass it through the kids. Time to get back to it.

'Nuff said

Thanks, Eric, for sending me to michellemalkin.com. She found it here. The picture was taken at the Army/Air Force game, which, by the way, the Air Force dominated.

I'll be back later with writing updates, but in case I forget later, put aside time to vote on Tuesday. Also, don't forget to pray for clear-cut results throughout the nation. Lord knows I've seen enough campaign ads already; I don't really want to listen to the losers whining about voter fraud and recounts.