Impressions of the new year, 2012

I have no complaints so far, of course 2012 is only two days old. Just a baby! But.... it is OK so far with the exception of a few coughs and sneezes around our house. My husband is downstairs in his recliner as I write this. His throat is sore and scratchy, he has the chills (off and on) and he aches all over. I suggested he call the doctor today but, (and this is a man thing) he said "Maybe tomorrow." Just now, he is well enough to call the Georgia University's quarterback a "big dummy."

I have also been under the weather with a headache. Today, I felt well enough to start dismantling the Christmas tree and decorations. Why, oh why does it take so long to take down? It is so much fun to put up that the time seems to fly. But, back to my illness of the last couple of days. It got me thinking about my childhood and how my mother treated our colds.

Mother was a big believer in Vicks VapoRub. She thought it was a miracle potion because when we were very young, she would stick it up the noses of my sister, brother and me. She would also spread it all over our chests. Mother would then take one of our dad's handkerchiefs and stick it to the goo so our pajamas wouldn't smell like Vicks VapoRub. I can almost smell it now! Seriously.

Mother had another secret medicine she only brought out in an emergency. It was called: Hot Milk Toast. Just the thought of it nearly turns my stomach. Maybe it is a Midwestern "delicacy" because I have never known a Southerner to eat it. I never want to have to endure it again. Ever! Hot Milk Toast is just as it says: Hot milk over toast. Powdered sugar on top does not help. It is slimy and mushy and really a fate worse than death if you were a little Kansas child in the 1950s with a drippy nose and Vicks VapoRub all over your sticky chest.

Now that I have that off of my chest, what am I smelling? Oh no! It can't be! But it is- Vicks VapoRub wafting upstairs to my office loft. My sick husband is also a believer.