ChgoRed, Girl Editor

Back Back Bo-Back

Thanks so much for the well-wishes and advice. I am improving and my back is feeling better. Have been in contact with my PCP (who was not very helpful) and a friend who works for an association of orthopedic surgeons, who gave me a lot more advice. It all boils down to:

1) Backs take a long time to heal, so be patient.
2) Moving around is much better for you than sitting or laying down.
3) Take drugs if you need them.
4) For the love of God, don't reinjure yourself.

Unfortunately, I am not patient, don't like to take pills, and am a big fan of doing things that require me to sit still (TV, reading, etc.). It made for a long week.

I will admit that the drugs (2 Advil every 6 hours) are helping enormously, even if they do make me a bit loopy at first. Less pain means I am more willing to move around and do things, which leads to feeling a little better the next day. Plus, being able to do stuff has really helped my mood.  I still want to be all better NOW, but will settle for daily improvement.

Also helping—The Husband, who has been remarkable. The man went out in a wet, gloomy snowstorm Sunday to buy groceries so that we would have some dinner.  Patient, understanding, and very good at making the Stern Face when he thinks I'm overdoing it.  He even brought me a can of chocolate Hobnobs, one of my all-time favorite cookies.

He is an absolute star.

My Back, Dom DeLuise, and His Hooker Wife

It started so simply—I just wanted to use our apartment’s space better. Several weeks and one dumb decision later, and I’m on the couch watching a movie where Dom DeLuise is dancing with his hooker-wife, and a bunch of other hookers and “porn stars,” to a disco version of “Singing in the Rain.”

It’s been that kind of week.

Back in January, I looked at how we were using the space in the dining room (large) versus our bedroom (smaller).  The bedroom was cramped and crowded, while the dining room was mostly being used for The Rev’s computer and to store a lot of stuff we needed to organize or just throw away.  So, why not switch?

Hey, it made sense at the time.  You know, except for the fact that The Rev’s computer would have to stay in our (new) bedroom, and the fact that the new bedroom doesn’t actually have a closet.  And oh yeah, we’d have to move four bookcases plus other stacks of books into the new dining room.

Before you ask, yes, we are still married.  Yes, I am as surprised as you.  The Rev was reluctant about this whole project, but cannily viewed it as a chance to rack up some major karma and husband points.  He was right.

That Time of Year Again

The river is ice.  Specifically, as of this weekend, the Chicago River is a crazy-quilt of ice chunks and floating slabs.  No poem more appropriate than this one.

**************

Ask Me, by William Stafford

Some time when the river is ice ask me
mistakes I have made. Ask me whether
what I have done is my life. Others
have come in their slow way into
my thought, and some have tried to help
or to hurt: ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made.

I will listen to what you say.
You and I can turn and look
at the silent river and wait. We know
the current is there, hidden; and there
are comings and goings from miles away
that hold the stillness exactly before us.
What the river says, that is what I say.

I Write Letters

Dear Punxsutawney Phil,

Your feeble decrees do not apply to us. We'll get to spring when we're damned good and ready.

Yes, it may very well be July. Why do you ask?

And what's with the "xs"? "X" already has an "s" sound.

Chicago

**********

To my husband:

No, I have no idea why Netflix suddenly wants to recommend lots and lots of Bollywood movies to us. Really, not the foggiest idea. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the movies I've rated.

Mostly sure.

Your Wife

**********

Dear Eensy-Beensy Puppies We Almost Bought Last Week,

Who's a good puppy? Who's a sweety sweet cutie-pie? Yes! Yes you are! You such a GOOD doggie! Look at dat wigglebutt! Look at dat! Come here let me smooch your widdle head again.

Ahem.

That Lady

**********

Dear New Cubicle of Mine:

I hate you.  Just not as much as I hate the new pop machine, or the new bathroom lock.

ChgoRed

**********

Dear Chicago Cubs,

The White Sox win the World Series...  The Bears go to the Super Bowl...  The Blackhawks actually win a few games...

No pressure.

The Fans

**********

Dear Ms. Ivins,

You made a lot of people happy, made a lot of people mad, and got your share of tequila.  It must have been one hell of a good time. RIP.

Us

Four More Years...Four More Years...

"It is the things in common that make relationships enjoyable, but it is the little differences that make them interesting." — Todd Ruthman

To my husband, who is never common, a little different, and always interesting. You make my life such a lovely place. 

Happy fourth anniversary, baby.