The cold weather rapidly approaches. The leaves are almost completely stripped from their branches. Portland loses it's appeal in the winter, something about the cold weather makes it look like a wasteland. Oh Swine Flu. My mother chimes in on the hype and her words of paranoia almost convince me from time to time that it has the potential to harm me or my daughter. I don't have TV at my house, or the internet, or a DVD player or a VCR to keep me informed on what the media is currently freaking out about. Then the morning approaches and my daughters nose is constantly dripping down to her lips. She has this new habit of keeping her fingers lodged into her mouth at all times. I had been given a flu shot graciously paid for by my previous employer last November and I'm happy to say I went almost the entire year without some sort of virus. The common cold was circulating it's way through family members and my daughter too of course, the little germ incubator, but I got off Scott-free. I tell my boyfriend that he is going to get this and I'm not. I was actually confident. Then I go to work and gravity seems to be kicking my ass. I don't really acknowledge it until I reach my grandparents house. I take the keys out of the ignition and open the door. My two feet touch the ground and instead of hurling my weighted body out of the car I slump into the front seat. A series of uncontrollable yawning overcomes my speech, my eyes begin to water and my nose feels irritated. It was only when I slouched into the drivers seat when I realized my immune system waved the white flag and reluctantly awaiting the future departure of re enforcements. Apparently my white blood cell count had taken a vacation or were trapped behind the mass sugar consumption pumping through my veins. I gulp down another cup of coffee in hopes that the six spoonfuls of sugar will give me just enough energy to get my daughter, drive my dog back to my apartment and get to my boyfriends house before the life is drained from my body. Happily I write only a day after this incident. I am still alive. The saliva going down my throat is blocked by swollen tonsils while the lingering stinging follows after they actually get through. I'm also happy to note the Robitussin without alcohol is not as effective as the stuff you're supposed to trip out on. I assure myself I'm not missing out on much, it does take the edge off. Hasta, cold cup of water, box of tissues, good movie, and boyfriend. Priceless.