Wednesday December 31, 2008
I had a narrow squeak there, escaping an enforced visit to the doctor by the skin of the skin of my teeth. I really didn’t want to go there. I don’t suppose it’s true but there are stories of people who’ve been there, coughing away in corners, since before Christmas, waiting for attention. Certainly, if you go there without ‘flu, you’re very liable to come away with the beginnings of a good dose.
I didn’t do anything special or clever to see it off. I took a max-strength paracetamol/lemon/honey hot drink to bed with me, put on three layers of night clothes and an extra duvet, and snuggled down. Woke twice during a highly fevered night to come down for more paracetamol, and to drink a half-litre of hot water. Slept through until nine-thirty this morning–thirteen hours!–and woke feel fit and well once more, bright as a heavily tarnished button. A couple of big mugs of coffee and a good, scrubby shower and I was ready to face the world.
I shall need to take it easy over the New Year, and especially to keep warm, but I’m more hopeful than I have been since starting out on the ‘flu game on December 4.
So, now. What’s going on? First, the journal. I’ll write a paper on it sometime soon, exploring the benefits of WordPress along with the drawbacks. As we move into 2009 I’m finding the huge backlog of archive work to be burdensome and, by switching to ‘…and no cheese’, that far from easing the load, I’ve made it worse.
So, I’m switching back to ‘journal of a writing man’, starting a new volume for 2009 and planning to make further new volumes each year for so long as I continue. There’s a technical snag associated with making very large blogs under WordPress that stops me from simply dusting off the old files and continuing as if nothing had happened.
The archives will have to sit where they are for the time being. They are accessible, and linked together after a fashion, but some work is needed to lick the whole into a logical set. I’ll do it, but not yet.
Some time before writing and publishing tomorrow’s entry, I’ll slip in a big red ‘click here’ and please change your bookmarks/feed entries to:
journal of a writing man <http://writingman09.wordpress.com>
The notify will of course take you straight to the new volume and entry just as it’s always done.
* * * * *
Which brings us all to the end of one year and the start of a new one. The USA will be ringing in a new president and us inhabitants of the little house in the valley will continue making our new home fit for inspection. God bless us all.
The only resolution I am making is to make more effort to take and post photographs of our new world. Should have done it before but, one way and another, I think it reasonable to claim that things have been working against me.
Graham and Dolly and I are doing well. Graham is over his ‘flu. Dolly seems to have gone through one of those magical feline fresh starts and is fighting fit. Me, I’m as well as can be expected.
Let’s hope we all of us do as well as can be expected in 2009. It’s time to band together against the forces of darkness if the experts and the politicians are to be believed. Mayhap. One thing I do know is that us old ‘uns seem to be better equipped to face it. Let’s do what we can to help the young ‘uns come to terms with it all, and get through it.
I shall do what I can to lighten the path.
Note: This is the last entry in this volume of my journal. Please change your bookmarks/rss details to:
journal of a writing man
<http://writingman09.wordpress.com>
where the story continues…
17 responses so far ↓
Rosemary // December 31, 2008 at 9:16 pm |
I do believe you are correct, us old ‘uns are better equipped to face what 2009 hurls at us. If we all help the younger ones it will make it smoother perhaps for all. Happy New Year to you John, Graham and Dolly.
Rosemary // December 31, 2008 at 9:18 pm |
Oh, and had to add, of course, I have the last day of the year bragging rights by being first
Kate & Jim // December 31, 2008 at 9:24 pm |
You know, John. I didn’t grow up during the war, but I lived with the effects of it.
My son wonders what the heck is going on. (He’s 20). He doesn’t grasp the enormity of the issues, just yet. He will.
Raising my glass to ya, John and Graham! See you next year!
Shirley, in PA // December 31, 2008 at 9:35 pm |
I’m glad you’re feeling better John, and that Graham has pretty much recovered. I love that bit about “band together against the forces of darkness……” May I wish the three of you a very happy and healthy new year? Keep warm, and keep writing.
bonnie // December 31, 2008 at 10:06 pm |
So glad you whipped the heck out of the flu. Anxious to see pictures now.
CBG Dee // December 31, 2008 at 10:08 pm |
Raising my bubbly high and beaming a tip of the glass in your direction, John. As always, I find myself grateful for the past year in your company and looking forward to the next one. For you — and for everyone here — may we all enjoy everything we need and maybe even a little of what we want. Happy New Year, everyone!
~ Sil in Corea // December 31, 2008 at 10:36 pm |
Well, I’m 6 1/2 hours into 2009 already, by the fact of being closer to the international date line. So I wish you Peace, Love, Health and Prosperity from the far side. As one of the old ‘uns, I will do my bit to help the young ‘uns beat back the forces of darkness. I do feel that greed in high places deserves to be ranked in with those forces. But, like the Pogles, we’ll beat them by small steps, just doing the next right thing.
Hugs from Corea,
~ Sil
wayne // December 31, 2008 at 10:47 pm |
I like being an old un much more than being a senior citizen. Happy New Years all. 2009 cannot possibly be worse than 2008. I HOPE!
mercystreet // January 1, 2009 at 12:15 am |
I hope you are well soon. Happy New Year, may it be a blessed one.
Twilight // January 1, 2009 at 2:10 am |
Happy New Year, John, Graham and Dolly !
There are still around 5 hours to go before we kick 2008 out the door here in Oklahoma.
We’ve just driven a short way out of town and saw Moon dangling a brilliant Venus, followed by Jupter and Mercury well above the horizon as it got dark . The forces of darkness have a lot to contend with – all’s right with the world (or righter than it was a year ago) – just wait and see. (From another old ‘un).
Lena // January 1, 2009 at 6:19 am |
Happy New Year to you and Graham and Dolly. Hope you’ve all finished up with this ugly flu bug and can start the new year on the healthy side.
L'autre Monique // January 1, 2009 at 6:49 am |
Another slight step back last night was, in your journey to recovery. The aftermath of the flu is all about rebuilding the immune system, and you certainly knew what to do last night! And so you were recompensed with a blissfully restful night, glad the morning found you so much better.
Yes, I like your new year’s resolution just fine
! Looking forward to being surprised upon opening your blog by some more lovely shots of your little house in the valley, and hopefully more of Miss Dolly.
Meanwhile, have a great Happy New Year 2009 the three of you! Keep warm and cozy!
marty // January 1, 2009 at 12:58 pm |
Good morning. Can’t get to the new site, but that is likely due to the early hour here. Will try again later.
Happy Day!
joannie // January 1, 2009 at 1:42 pm |
Lets help the young ‘uns while remembering with heads bowed that it was we old ‘uns that caused the problems.
maddy // January 1, 2009 at 6:58 pm |
Older folks are more equipped because we’ve lived through tough times before. The generation before mine (yours) is even better equipped because things like rationing have conditioned people to be more frugal in general. Younger folks haven’t had to deal with such things in their lifetime. Time for a rude awakening!
Here’s to ‘09 and the hope it brings! My best to you, Graham and Dolly – may you have the best year yet!
Clare // January 1, 2009 at 10:53 pm |
Wishing all of you a happy, healthful and prosperous new year. And may peace be found sometime during the year.
Josephine // January 2, 2009 at 12:57 am |
Wishing all three of you a very Happy and Healthy new Year.
You lead, I will follow……