The sun is streaming in the south-facing windows. The dog is downstairs barking at something, probably deer that ventured too close. It is very quiet. I am recovering from a severe bout of stomach virus that had me in the bathroom most of Saturday night for one thing or the other--or both at the same time. Thank God for my loving husband, who cleaned up after me and brought me bananas, canned chicken soup and Saltine crackers. Also lots of water. Of course, he also brought me the bug. He was sick starting early Friday, but his cast-iron stomach kept him from vomiting, limiting him to intense diarrhea. I knew I was in trouble, because he never gets intestinal stuff. Since then, I have heard of two others at our fellowshp who have it as well. I cancelled all activities yesterday and today, and don't have anything planned for tomorrow either. Ray is back to his usual schedule and I am alone to build up my strength and enjoy not throwing up. The best thing about being sick, I have said before, is how much you appreciate when it's over. I mostly take my healthy digestive system for granted, and now I am grateful for its functioning in the background. As an older person, it does seem to be a little hard to get back to "normal." I am stiff and uncomfortable from being in bed all day yesterday. And there is much I would like to do that I can't. On the other hand, it is wonderful that there was nothing urgent on my calendar, nothing that will suffer from my absence for a day or two. I am sorry to miss an OLLI class my Dad and I were scheduled to take together this morning, but he will fill me in later, I'm sure. And it is good to enjoy the slower pace of sitting around without feeling like I ought to be doing something. It would be a good day for baking; it was 45 out this morning. And the garden probably needs watering again. But there is a 60% chance of rain a week from now--I can hope.

On Saturday, Ray was in bed most of the day. He got up for breakfast and to take a walk, but then went back to bed. Daddy came for a visit and we talked about plans for my mother's remains to be buried in Connecticut. He was pretty sad and headed home to make himself some beef stew. He said he had not slept well. Ray got up and had some lunch and sat for a while before going back to bed.

At 5, we met other dance students and picked up recycling from the stadium after the home football game. It is easy to be upset and the things we found, but the weather was nice, we were all working together and recycled lots of items. We each got a free pass for a dance class.

We got home and I finished making the pasta with veggies, including chard. Ray did not want to eat anything like that. I had finished eating mine and we were watching TV, when I became more and more convinced that I was getting it. What do you do when you know you are about to be sick as a dog? I went upstairs and changed into my nightgown and settled in for a long night. I certainly don't need to tell you any more details about that! I read two mystery books in 24 hours, and started a third. I read some other things too and came downstairs once or twice yesterday to sit on the couch. Ate some plain pasta with a little cheese for supper and was glad to have a fairly good night's sleep last night.