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A View Into My Universe

It wouldn’t be summer without catching a cold, would it? In my case, it’s right before a camping trip to the ocean with John’s family and our mom-daughters-grandsons excursion to the San Juan Islands. Am I miserable? No. Am I disgruntled? YES. And I’m unsure what to do about the camping trip; I adore the ocean and the weather forecast is ideal, yet I also dislike being congested and not sleeping in a small camper, as well as possibly spreading my cold germs around to everyone else. For now, I’m using Zicam and extra Vitamin C to try to mitigate the effects and shorten the cold. Only time will tell; unfortunately, I don’t have a whole lot of time before making the decision to back out of my trips. 🙁

On an unexpected positive note, I had coffee with a friend yesterday at one of my favorite places; I tried a new mixed berry scone with raspberry lemon drizzle. It was delicious! My friend brought me some of her flowers which was very thoughtful although I always worry that Mari will nibble on them. One time, she ate part of a Peruvian lily (not a real lily) and got sick–to the tune of over $500 at the vet. I hope these flowers are safe from her up on my mantel!

Dahlias? Although I grow many flowers, I buy them for appearance only and don’t keep track of their names. 🙂 Incidentally, this coffee friend is the mother of my sister-in-law; she was so caring and kind to my mom that we started hanging out and are now coffee buddies. Friendships come and go and I always try to remain open to new ones, while gracefully (!) letting go of ones that no longer work.

Three years ago our sweet Anders was born nearly two months early and spent his first month in the NICU of Swedish Hospital. John and I (and me by myself) took many trips to Seattle and looking back at my posts from that time, the stress and worry were crushing. Three years later, Anders’ pediatrician told YD that he’s in the 96th percentile for height and the 90th for weight and that he’s extremely smart. “Very intelligent and incredibly verbal for his age” I wish that intelligence was a guarantee of success and happiness. If only!

He’s a lovely boy: strong-willed and energetic, sometimes mouthy–as befits a three-year-old. The terrible twos are a myth; in my family, it’s been the Troublesome Threes.

Screenshot

Here are some happy faces: John with his older daughter and his youngest and oldest granddaughters. The Chetzemoka is one of the smallest ferries in the Washington State fleet and goes to Vashon Island. If I’m well enough for the San Juans trip, we’ll be on an Olympic Class or Superclass ferry, the Big Boys; they can carry up 1,500 passengers and 160 vehicles. A mini cruise ship! LOL

Comments

27 responses to “Summertime”

  1. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    Those flowers were a lovely gesture and such nice pics of you with Baby Anders and when he got all that curly hair! I’m not surprised he’s so smart, hope he gets thru his current phase soon! Oh Margaret… colds suck, especially summer ones. What you’re doing is smart with the Zicam, but what to do…

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I wouldn’t worry about it except for these two trips. The timing is awful! I prefer to stay home if I feel crappy but that’s hard to predict a couple days ahead of time. Argghh! Hope you’re feeling decent!!

  2. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Summer colds are frustrating with all the activities going on. I hope yours clears fast – lots of sleep should help. I love Anders curls. John looks so happy surrounded by his family. They are gorgeous dahlias. I gave them a try but are too particular for my garden conditions.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I was hoping I didn’t sound stupid, guessing dahlias. Are dahlias particular about temperature? Sleeping is tricky when I’m congested. I use my addictive nasal spray but very sparingly. 😩

  3. AC Avatar

    TG I seem not to get too many colds although I did have a bit of one earlier this year. A summer cold must be the pits because we don’t want to waste the good weather — assuming it is not heatwave time.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It’s great weather here right now and you’re right, I don’t want to waste it. It’s mainly uncertainty about these two trips. If the cold is going to develop into something miserable, I would rather be home.

  4. Michael Avatar

    Yuck, a summer cold. Hopefully it will clear up soon so you won’t miss your trip. It’s amazing the progress Anders has made in his three years!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I’m out on a walk right now and trying to stay active. It seems to dry up my nose to exercise. I was proud of my Younger Daughter for asking the pediatrician about ADHD; Anders’ dad has been diagnosed with it and is also, I think, on the spectrum. She didn’t do so to try to “fix” him but is searching for strategies to help him deal with it as he gets older.

      1. Michael Avatar

        I hope you can fight the cold successfully. Hopefully the walking will help. I took Shirley for grooming today, and then I went for a run. It was hazy and we are now under a health alert because of the pollution from the wildfires in Canada. So, no dog walking this afternoon….plus it is 94 degrees with a “feels like” of 100.

      2. Margaret Avatar

        Between the smoke and the heat, YUCK! It’s so limiting to the activities that we like to and need to do. I’m sorry! I hope both the temperature and the wildfire smoke calm down.

  5. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Hopefully your cold will resolve quickly and will not interfer with your travel plans. The meds should help. I’ve used TheraFlu for cold/congestion and for me it dries things up and I can sleep nights and function during the day.
    The pediatrician has only good things to say about Anders and that is very nice to hear. Being smart/gifted he’ll learn quickly. Keeping Anders engaged will be important. If he gets bored, the ADHD will likely kick-in. It would be great if the Pediatrician would write a letter stating his thoughts on Anders. Schools benefit knowing as much as possible about students like Anders. Finding a great pre-school program would be good for Anders.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      The doctor wants YD to start teaching him to read–which I don’t necessarily agree with, unless he’s interested. Dr. did mention that smart kids often have issues with managing ADHD–or mimic having it. We liked to hear the positives because Anders does get some “sad notes” from daycare about being too noisy during quiet time and having meltdowns where he kicks and hits, not necessarily hard but still not OK. Obro used to be a biter and has grown out of that, so I hope Anders will follow directions better as he gets older. I’m doing what I can with the cold and hoping to make it to the ocean.

  6. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    I hope the Zicam works and the trip a success! Sometime when you’re not sick or busy, we need to get coffee!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Yes, I’ve been thinking about you and hoping for a coffee date. This next week, Wednesday or Thursday would work. Otherwise, the week after that is fairly open.

  7. Ed Avatar

    I hadn’t had a cold in probably a year and a half until my recent trip to the Philippines. I caught a cold about half way through. Fortunately being in an environment with 90% humidity means I only have to deal with a runny nose which was fairly easy to do with medication. My typical sore throat never manifested more than just a slight tickle due to the high humidity.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I get a sore throat in the morning when I’m first starting a cold and I always think uh-oh, apparently I’ve been mouth breathing at night without realizing it. That’s the only good thing about high humidity is that it works like a humidifier!

  8. Betty Renfroe Avatar
    Betty Renfroe

    Hope you get over your cold and get to go on your trip. I think you will.

    The flowers on the mantle just fit with it.

    Anders is really caught up sounds like, but I think inward and behavior is harder. Ada would to horrible little things. Hated naps. Once she got up off the map and licked the window. She’s 7 now and finally catching up behaviorally too. Well, most of the time. Ada is spoiled on top of the other things making it worse.

    I love the golden highlights in Anders’ hair.

    Get well wishes!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I would probably go, but the question is whether John will want to be exposed to the cold. Or have his family exposed to it. I’ll leave that up to him. Yes, behavioral maturity is way different from intellectual. I had teenage boys in my class who were extremely smart, but had started school when they were four and they were a handful. Gifted academically does not mean great behavior.

  9. Siobhan Avatar
    Siobhan

    I am sorry for your cold , but now have the wonderful song with the same name running on repeat in my head . Summer colds feel particularly dreadful

    Although I have no English heritage ( but have lived here since I was child ) I am very sad that the English football team are out of the World Cup – we seem to have forgotten that getting to the semis is amazing

    The heatwave here is in its one millionth day ( maybe a slight exaggeration) and the slight to
    moderate osteoarthritis that I have in both knees has been reviewed this week by a Consultant and escalated to immediate bilateral total knee replacements required . I have two trips coming up ( Cornwall and Italy ) that will have to be cancelled
    qpr
    Your Grandson has done brilliantly since being so prem – the guide here is children are supported to “ catch up “
    with their non premie peers by age 5 – he’s well ahead of the curve
    And I understand his Mothers worries about ADHD , but he’s so little that I hope his Mum can enjoy him for who he is ( as you do with all your grandsons )
    Get well soon
    Siobhan

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Your poor knees! You must be miserable and the surgery will certainly help. I’ve had friends (like John) with knee replacements and the PT after is crucial. It’s such a shame that you had to cancel trips though 🙁 I’m so sorry about the heatwave (ugh!) and England’s loss, since I was rooting for them. I think that Anders has done amazingly well, not just because of his preemie situation, but also his parental one. Sigh. I do love all my grandsons for the unique people that they are!

  10. Linda Avatar

    Dear Margaret, the flowers are so pretty, and your photos are beautiful, dear friend! I am so sorry about your cold! Tea with a little honey and squirt of lemon can help, as well as homemade chicken soup with onions and garlic. Ginger tea can also help to alleviate the effects of the cold.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! I wish I had some tea around. I may have chicken soup. (Not homemade, sadly)

  11. addofio Avatar

    Ugh, summer colds are the worst. I van only wish you triumph over the virus soon. That photo of the flowers is gorgeous! Has a painterly quality. As for toddlers—i have a soft spot for three year olds, but I’ve only been an aunt and never had to parent one. Sometimes I think toddlers go through a difficult stage partly because what they can imagine doing and what they actually have the ability to do are so far apart and frustration-anger-acting out ensue. I’ve seen some preschool teachers handle this really well, but they are very special and not all can, sadly.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I never expect a cold in the summer, so it’s unpleasant. I’m working on the virus with extra C and Zicam. So far, it’s not gotten awful, just annoying. Thanks! I don’t take great photos (I don’t have an eye) so any compliments are appreciated. 🙂 Three-year-olds are charming, willful, stubborn, sweet and defiant.

  12. Midwest Mark Avatar

    Summer colds are extra annoying because they usually interfere with plans for things you can only enjoy during a brief window of time. Hope the Zicam does its trick and you get to enjoy your trip.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      They are annoying but this one hasn’t lasted long and never got too miserable. I helped that with my get rid of the cold regime.

      1. Midwest Mark Avatar

        I’m glad to hear it!

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