The Medicine of My People

I am tired of being sick.

I thought the fever was gone on Thursday, by Friday it had spiked up to over 103. I finally let Michael take me to the emergency clinic, and I'm now popping 2000 mg. antibiotic pills that I'm pretty sure were originally designed for ingestion by an animal of the size equivalent to at least a horse.

I'm also now reminded of why I could never be bulimic. I'm also having to down anti-nausea pills to keep the antibiotics down. Oh, and decongestants to break up the stuff in my chest - and I don't know - some other pills - and I'm starting to look like a little old lady with my purse full of pills.

I've slept probably 90% of the day for the last four days, and you know what, I'm tired of sleeping. Sleeping is making me exhausted.

Perhaps the reason I'm still sick is that I haven't had any Campbell's Chicken Soup, Dayquil or Sprite... the medicine of my people.

So, thanks for those of you who've emailed and such to check in on me - I'm here, I'm alive (barely) but I'm here.

Thanks for the input on the cell service. I now have a magenta Razr - with service through T-Mobile.

To Kill a Mockingbird.

There is a mockingbird that has nested directly outside of my bedroom window. Mind you, I'm from Texas, where the mockingbird is revered as the official state bird since 1927. For those of you not from the U.S. or Southern Canada, click here to find out what they look like.

The song of the mockingbird is actually a medley of the calls of many other birds. Each imitation is repeated two or three times, then another song is started, all in rapid succession. It is common for an individual bird to have as many as 25-30 songs in its repertoire, though there are documented cases of a single bird with up to 200 different songs. Mockingbirds are known as fierce protectors of its nest and environment. They are sometimes seen swooping down on a dog, cat or predator that may be venturing too close to the bird's protected territory.

The mimus polyglottos, as the mockingbird is known scientifically, is about ten inches in length, including its relatively long tail. It has a light gray coat and a whitish underside. Its wings and tail are darker gray with white patches.

One of the interesting things about mockingbirds is that they also have the ability to pick up and mimic certain mechanical sounds. Therein lies the trouble. The other day my alarm clock went off, and after hitting the snooze button again and again it wouldn't turn off. Even unplugging it wouldn't make it stop going off. Apparently the mockingbird has picked up the sound of my alarm clock and added it to its playlist.

Male mockingbirds (especially unmated ones) are known to sing through the night, especially during the full moon. I hope whoever is in the tree outside has a female to tell him to shut it.

*sigh*