Is this weather crazy or what? I don't know whether to wear a sweater or a t-shirt! So I've decided to wear t-shirts under sweaters and to keep at least one coat in my vehicle.
While I prefer cooler weather as opposed to 90-plus degrees we get around here in the summers, I am about fed up with the fluctuation in temperatures.
When the temperature changes from one extreme to the other so suddenly, it wreaks havoc on my sinuses and lungs.
I have now had the crud for nearly three months straight. I've been the doctor twice and taken all kinds of medicines. I've taken decongestants, antihistamines, cough syrup, cough pills, cough drops, Tylenol, Excedrin, over-the-counter cold pills, Nyquil, Dayquil, Benadryl, etc.
Ask me about my new cologne. It's called vapo-rub!
My doctor even gave me an inhaler for asthma because my lungs "sound funny" to her. I'll admit that I think the inhaler is actually helping. I can now breathe deeply without causing a coughing fit.
Earlier this week, I was tickled that I could actually sleep in my bed, instead of propped up on pillows on the couch. When my cough was worse, I couldn't lay down flat without inducing bone-jarring episodes of hacking.
So the weather changed again Thursday night and I was back to sleep on the couch again! The only solution I can think of is to move somewhere that they don't have temperature extremes, like Arizona. And I'm certainly not going to do that.
I love my home county too much to even think of moving away again. For the eight years I lived in south Arkansas, I was so homesick for most of the time. I was so happy to be home and I still am.
Not only am I happy because I'm back with my immediate family, but because the people of Mississippi County are the the most considerate there are. It's almost like one big family -- we can talk about each other, but don't let someone outside the family criticize us!
I'm speaking of course about the way everyone has come together to support the family of Blytheville Police Officer Cody Gentry. As I write this on Friday, I'm hoping for a standing-room-only crowd Saturday night at the auction, which benefits Cody's family.
I'm so proud of our local law enforcement officers who have spent their off-duty time at the hospital. While they can't stay in the room with Cody, their presence must be a comfort to his family members. Just knowing someone cares can sometimes make all the difference in the world.
Speaking of that, Thursday night when I was having my coughing fits, Stevie Ray did not leave my side. Half the time, he wanted to be right in my face. I guess he was making sure that I was OK.
He is the sweetest dog. I took him with me to Mom and Dad's house the other night and he was so well-behaved. Mom and Dad's dogs do not take kindly to the invasion, but Stevie never acts aggressively toward them, even though he is bigger than either of them.
Bless his heart, he thinks he is tied down when a leash is hooked to his collar. That night after supper, Mom and I did the dishes while Dad and Kauri went into the living room.
We got done in the kitchen and turned out the light to join Dad. I noticed that Stevie was not in the living room with Daddy. I went back into the kitchen and Stevie was sitting patiently under the kitchen table, in the dark.
Bless his little heart! I felt so bad that we had forgotten him. But he joined us in the living room for awhile, never getting more than a few feet from me.
I am so lucky to have such a sweet, smart dog. And I am so lucky to live in a community where people take care of each other.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com