Chicken Noodle Soup and a Cat

Colds and flu seem to be running rampant this first week of December. Every other person I know is coughing, sneezing, or puking - which has had the effect of turning me into a Germ-o-phobe. I've become one of those people that carry their little bottle of hand sanitizer everywhere they go. I move to the next line if the cashier at the grocery store is sniffling. I create elaborate excuses to cut conversations short if friends are ill. Speaking of which - I have a question.

Why do people go out in public or drag themselves to work when they're deathly ill? Now I can understand going in if you'd be fired otherwise. But with some folks, it appears to be a badge of honor. "I was running a 102 degree fever this morning and haven't been able to keep anything down for three days!" the sick one will proclaim in the shampoo aisle at Walmart. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that" I respond, although what I really want to say is "WHY are you not at home in bed??! What in heaven's name is so important at Walmart that it couldn't wait a couple of days?" Then I rush out of the store, breathe in some fresh germ-free air, and douse myself in hand sanitizer.

I don't want to be sick during the holidays this year! Last year I was laid up recovering from surgery, and during two of the four Christmas seasons before that I came down with a stomach virus. However, in the event that I do catch one of these germs, at least I have the essential ingredients for a speedy recovery. Progresso Chicken Noodle soup, and a cat. I recommend that everyone have these two remedies on hand as we head into winter. The soup is important, but especially the cat. Even when you're miserable, there's something so comforting and innately healing about a warm kitty snuggled close.

Lucy doing her part to help me recover from surgery last fall.