“I mistrust total competence. I’ve always felt life is a series of small disasters we try to get through.” – Michael Palin

I awoke not feeling well. I’ve experienced these symptoms too often this year. Colds. Flu. Bronchitis. Pneumonia.

So I knew this was not going to be a good day. I should see a doctor.

But……I’m a guy. Sooooooooooooo. First I’ll try to lick this thing with aspirin.

Hmmmm. Temp 100. Not bad. Low grade fever. Pop a few pills and chill.

Several days later. No improvement. Bad cough complicating things.

2 a.m. – Fitful sleep. Very tired. Not doing well.

Suddenly I sense someone is whispering to me. Trying to wake me up.

It’s my wife. Bob. Wake up. I need to take your temp.

Somewhere in the periphery of my unconscious state, I sense the interruption. I stir but do not respond.

Cold steel on my forehead.

Again. Bob. Wake up. You’ve got a temp. You need to take some aspirin.

Ok. This is getting way too serious. I just want to lay here and sleep. Don’t have any energy.

I’ll just ignore her. She’ll go away. And leave me alone.

After several futile attempts to get me to sit up, she leaves.

Finally. I win. I enjoy a quiet chuckle. Yes.

At this point, I must point out that we have one of those adjustable beds.

Suddenly a noise. Immediately my head begins to rise.

And there she is with a glass of water and two pills stuck in my face.

She had forced me to sit up. She wins.

In spite of myself, I laugh inside.

The moral of this story is: beware of French women with brunette hair.

They are clever, resourceful and determined.

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” – Ernest Hemmingway