Ow. Ow. Ow.

Being on your own might be worst when you're sick. I'm sure I can argue differently myself at other times, but presently I am mildly ailing.

Fortunately I don't get sick often, beyond mild headaches, but yesterday I very very misguidedly thought I could handle sheep's milk cheese without a problem (for the uninitiated, I am lactose intolerant). I had some decent stomach cramps the rest of the night, lasting through today too. Yesterday I couldn't really have driven anywhere, evidenced by the fact that I could barely walk upright. Today I did go to Wegmans late in the afternoon, but only because I needed a few bland things and some ginger ale, and it's really not so bad anyway. Just like an iron hand is gripping my stomach, but not squeezing so much as it was last night. I can breathe better, at least. (I watched the Emmys and oh, it hurt to laugh.)

(Ginger ale, by the way, has no ginger in it. I know, it's very upsetting, but keep your panties unbunched at least till you hear the bourgeoisie taking to the streets. Their first words will be "BRING ME CANADIANS! BOTH DRY AND WET!")*

So my body really didn't want to be at Wegmans, and I was kinda hunched over my shopping cart, but fortunately I HAD a shopping cart, and I often hunch over them anyway. So if someone at Wegmans is paying attention to the way I shop, that alone wouldn't be a tip-off that anything was wrong.

Of course I'm at an age/stage when I don't talk to anyone on the phone regularly, either, so I would have had to call someone up and ask for help, had I needed it that bad. And I know Melissa or Jenny or Mary or Chris or Chris or Chris would have helped in a flash, but it's not the same as having someone in-house, onsite, who will automatically bring you crackers and something carbonated to help you burp. Feed the cats for you and give them fresh water and bury or scoop out the poo you can smell from the couch.

It's OK. I'm just sayin'. It woulda been nice to have someone get me a bagel. And I know Salem would have had he known how to get my money out. So appreciate your Other, there, watching TV right now or mowing the lawn or feeding the kids or pointedly not folding the laundry. And once in a while, milk it for all it's worth.


*Oblique Canada Dry reference. They makes the ginger ale, see.