7 Quick Takes about Coming Home, a House Full of Invalids, and Literal Birdbaths

It's 7 Quick Takes Friday! How was your week?

—1—

I did the math and I've been gone for 16 out of the last 60 days, helping with church summer camps for the teenagers, going home for a family funeral, and helping the oldest kids move in at college out of state.

While that's happened, Phillip has held down the fort here while simultaneously taking zero days off his full-time job. Everyone has stayed alive and they even had fun (he took the kids to the beach, the skate park, mountain biking, and running) but all other non-essentials for survival have been nonexistent. 

Practicing the piano, doing household chores, and showering regularly have become optional. Last time I was here, I distinctly remember a 'no-eating-in-the-living-room' rule, but nevertheless the day after I got back I watched my 10-year-old plop down on the sofa with a jar red pasta sauce and a spoon. THAT'S NOT EVEN A REAL SNACK.

Phillip asked me, "Are you appalled, or does it feel good to know that you're needed?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Both."

—2—

Unfortunately, I brought home COVID from my latest trip. Some of us never got sick at all, some of us just felt a little crummy, and Phillip spent a day wishing for death. 

The "man cold" is not a factor here, because Phillip never complains about being sick. In fact, if he utters a single word about physical discomfort, you should say your last goodbyes because it means he's probably dying soon.

—3—

Exhibit A: I came home to this on Saturday. Phillip had twisted his ankle which resulted in this giant bruise that went around his entire foot, from his toes to his ankle.

Doesn't really show in the picture, but the whole middle is a lovely greenish color.

Even with his foot like this, and barely able to put weight on it, Phillip was 100% going to go on a work trip this week. Until that is, he got COVID from me which maybe makes it a good thing. Now that we're over 40 and don't heal so readily, injuries that don't get enough rest are just going to hang around and plague us for the rest of our lives.

—4—

Phillip briefly wondered if he'd broken his foot (I would characterize it as more curious than concerned) so I did a little Googling on his behalf:

The last bullet point was very helpful. I can imagine how you might hurt your foot, look down and see that it looks like one of those cartoon ham hocks with the bone sticking out, and still not realize exactly what the problem was.

—5—

So basically I've spent the last several days taking care of invalids and putting the house back in order, and it's odd to say but that's my happy place. 

It's not exactly exciting to regale people with stories of how I'm getting quotes to fix our cracked counter and figuring out where the heck our new insurance will cover a mammogram this fall, but I'm good at being the administrative linchpin of the home and it feels good to be back on the job.

—6—

We have a large garden bed filled with Siberian irises that is sadly overgrown. I went out there three days ago with the simple mission to weed it, but the more I looked at it the more I realized it was in desperate need of some major help.

Apparently you're supposed to thin and divide irises every 2 to 3 years, and I haven't done that in the 14 years we've lived here. 

A work in progress.

Luckily, I've been assured that irises are almost impossible to kill. Let's hope that's true because if anyone can manslaughter a plant, it's me.

—7—

My 12-year-loves shopping. I've noticed her making a conscious effort in the last year to stop making impulse purchases, but the thing about her having a pet is that there are all kinds of cute pet supplies online and HOW DO YOU SAY NO TO THAT? 

Her latest find is this birdbath on Amazon and I cannot handle how cute it is. It even works: it's battery-operated and recycles the water from the tub through the showerhead up above.

Admit it: a bird taking a bath in a literal bathtub is what you needed to see today.

Pringles was extremely suspicious of this new addition to her cage, but we've caught her in the tub at least once since it was introduced, so baby steps. Still working on her trust issues with the water spraying from the showerhead, but at least we can turn that part on and off until she's ready.

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