When Pigs Fly

There I was, completely sprawled out on the sofa begging the gods of all things to please stop the room from spinning.

Just a few short hours before I had been leaving the Kansas City airport, feeling oh-so tired and reflecting on a truly great farmgirl weekend. It was 5:00 a.m. so even if my body was trying to tell me something, there was no way my brain was awake enough to listen to it. The first leg of my flight was a complete blur as I slept all the way to Salt Lake City. Upon landing, I had fewer than 30 minutes to get to my next gate. Wondering why I chosen flip-flops instead of running shoes, I ran to make sure I did not miss my flight to Seattle. Again, back on the plane, I propped my head against the window, and I was out cold. This was not normal behavior for me, but since it had been a whirlwind weekend, I was not shocked that I felt tired.
I was so glad to land in Seattle, back in my home state. Now the four-hour wait for the 45-minute flight into Pasco began. I found a cute little restaurant and decided to plant myself in it and work while I waited for time to pass. As I scoured the menu, it dawned on me that NOTHING sounded good to me. That, too, was not normal. I casually ordered a cup of hot tea and toast.  As I sat there struggling to get some work done and reflecting on the great farmgirls I had met and the huge amount of fun I had had, I noted that I was not quite myself. My internal playback constantly interrupted by a nagging sense of restlessness, and my mind  completely consumed with a hot bath and my PJs. Looking at the clock, I was glad to see that my plane home would be boarding at any time. In just a few short minutes after the plane would take off in Seattle, I would be home.
Once in Pasco greeted by, my two younger boys, Cole and Matthew who both seemed to be there under duress. My 18-year-old given the chore of retrieving me had dragged his 12-year-old little brother with him…well, everyone knows that misery loves company, and my 18-year-old wanted to “share the love.” I could tell by the look on their faces that possibly I did not look well. They greeted me with, “Uhhh…rough weekend?”
Once I made it home, I found my way to the much coveted  hot bath and pajamas and then to the  sofa...and that is where I would stay (mostly) for the next 72 hours.
I do not “do” sick well. There just simply is not time. However, if I have to be sick, this was the way to do it. I was SO sick that I do not remember much of it, especially early on. The chills, headache, nausea, and fever all had me begging for drugs, and I am not an allopathic kind of girl. At one point, I swear I thought to myself, I know why they call it the swine flu, as there were clearly pigs flying around my living room, adding to my already dizzy state.
I found myself both resentful and thankful that no one was there to care for me. Resentful since it seemed to me that when others in the family are sick, they cannot imagine me not being there to answer the call to their every whim, yet, grateful because the quiet was the only welcomed thing brought by this dreaded bug. That and the fact that there was no one to “actually supply” the drugs I was begging for earlier.
In truth, I actually have always loved that poster of pigs flying. It has always brought a chuckle to me, and I really love when I hear someone say, “Yeah, when pigs fly.” I am not sure why I saw pigs flying across my living room. While their movements certainly were annoying, the color of their Pepto-Bismol pink skin seemed to help in some odd sort of way.
Once the worst of the bug had left my body (with the aid of forced bodily functions, Epsom salt baths, and fever), I was thankful for the bags of organic peppermint tea that I had just purchased a few days before.
There has been a lot of discussion on the topic of swine flu. While I do not know for sure all the ends and outs of the virus, I do think that there should be some sort of survivor’s badge for those of us who make it through to the other side…maybe a pink flying pig.

Comments

 
By: Janice
On: 10/07/2009 17:08:44
I am so gald you are feeling better. Being sick is no fun thing.
I found your blog and enjoy reading it.
I live on the east coast. Lots of talk now about the swine flu.
Always,
 
By: Debbie
On: 10/07/2009 21:45:26
Rene, you definitely have my sympathy and prayers. I hope that you are feeling much better. I had to smile when you wrote about working while you were not feeling too well. why is it that women, especially Mom's seem to keep on keepin on when thy should be keepin still? Give your body the rest it needs and then you can get back to writing to us about all you wonderful adventures. Blessings to you, Debbie
 
By: The Funky Junk Sisters
On: 10/07/2009 23:56:59
So glad you are feeling better, just in time too, our Fall Funky Junk Sisters Show is just around the corner. We are just a hop skip and a jump from you. We hope you can make it! We have doubled the size of the show and we have so many fantastic vendors coming.

We love your blog and visit it often!

Linda & Dixie
The Funky Junk Sisters

 
By: Carol McElroy
On: 10/08/2009 12:13:51

I am so sorry you became ill after leaving our fair city, and I know Wende was ill as well. I'm so glad you are feeling better. I know sometime I'd rather be sick than have my hubby sick, he complains more thatn I do. Be careful of those flying pigs.........Carol

Carol, Thanks for much. I had the best time in Kansas, you were all the perfect hostesses.. thank you all

 
By: bonnie ellis
On: 10/08/2009 12:15:33

Take a deep breath Rene and think I'm over it" and enjoy fall. Don't even think how awful it was. I'm glad you are better! Great maybe. You go girl and enjoy life again. God bless.

Bonnie Ellis

:)

 
By: Gary
On: 10/08/2009 12:20:26

I'm glad you're all better now Rene'... it's miserable being ill, and nothing seems to make it better as fast as we wish.
You used my fave remedie: Epsom Salts... once a week I enjoy a HOTTT soak in Epsom Salts and WOW do the impurities of the body get drawn out. Just a good foot soak after a long day on my feet makes them feel brand new and tingly.
GodSpeed as you return to Life...!
Gary
in Tampa

I love the stuff, too...Works every time.

 
By: Sandy
On: 10/08/2009 14:46:12
I have always loved "when pigs fly" My mom and dad always said it. My dad is now gone and mom is almost 90 and I miss those good old days. It was usually in response to me wanting to do something I probably shouldn't. My own children think I'm really weird when I say it, but I don't care. Maybe some day they will miss it too. I love the poster too. I hope your feeling better and just glad you didn't get it on your trip. Sometimes us moms just forget to slow down and take care of ourselves. We think will do it "when pigs fly" Have a great weekend, pamper yourself.
 
By: Grace~katmom
On: 10/08/2009 16:21:00
Oh Rene',
you poor thing,,,,,I am soooo glad you are on the upswing & feeling better.
Sending you lots of "feel better soon" hugz,,,,
We miss you...so get well & hurry on back up this way lil sister #1281....
sister hugz,
gracie #472
 
By: Suzy
On: 10/08/2009 20:12:42
I am so glad you are better! AND envious of you getting to go to the farm weekend. I enjoy your blogs SO much!!!
 
By: Lynn
On: 10/08/2009 20:23:37
I am so glad you are feeling better! It is no fun being sick. I am glad you got the quiet you needed to heal. I also love "when pigs fly" quote! It always brings a smile and a laugh! Thanks for the laughter!
 
By: Karen/Ga. Girl
On: 10/09/2009 05:59:23
Rene,
So glad you are feeling better and as some of the others said glad you didnt get sick during your trip. It was so funny when I got on this morning and started reading your post and it was talking about pigs, the reason I say this is because I very rarely dream but his morning when I woke up I vaguely remember dreaming about 2 baby piglets what about them I dont know but I do remember the 2 babies so when I saw your post I just smiled.
God has a way of making us slow down if we dont do it ourselves. But I am sure glad you are on the mend. Take care of yourself amd that sweet family! Blessings,Karen
 
By: Betty J.
On: 10/09/2009 08:30:25
Oh, Rene, my deepest sympathies are with you. Being sick and away from home is the worst thing possible. I'm glad you are on the mend. Flying pigs is not a good sign.

Betty in Pasco
 
By: Mary Ann
On: 10/09/2009 19:34:10
Rene,
I swear the husband and I both had h1n1 in May. We were so sick, we laid on the bed next to each other (not touching, that would have hurt)3 days. We knew we were sick when we were too sick to even be cross with one another. At one point, we wondered if either of us could stand up to let the dog out.

Glad you are better now!
 
By: Michele
On: 10/10/2009 17:54:52
Sorry to hear that you have been sooooo sick. I hope you will soon be back to your chipper self.
Take good care of yourself in the meantime and remember that it is okay to pamper yourself a little bit now and then
 
By: Wende
On: 10/11/2009 06:00:10
I know exactly how you were feeling. I wonder if WE picked up a bug at the casino. Everything was perfect until Sunday morning. Bed rest and hot tea for three days and "viola" I finally felt normal. Maybe it was the waitress? I know I won't have her again!

Can't thank you enough for your visit and health sacrafice you made to come to KC. We welcome you, and any farmgirl who would like to visit our meetings, anytime and we will spray with Lysol, too.

Take care,
WENDE
 
By: Heather Hansen
On: 10/14/2009 10:45:21
Oh, I feel for you...I've had some days like that at work...although I think in my version, I would be rewarded with a trip to The Webster (a knitting shop in Ashland, OR)...or Barnes & Noble...to get a "celebrate getting better" book or some yarn...Glad you are feeling better :)
 
By: Robin
On: 10/22/2009 18:02:12
You aren't kidding Rene! We just got over the swine flu as well. First my husband, then me (the caregiver), then my daughter...fortunately she wasn't nearly as bad as we were and my two boys were untouched. I've never coughed so hard in my life. I mean literally until I cried. I feel your pain and boy am I glad it's over. :)

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Portrait of René Groom

René Groom
is a down-home “MaryJane Farmgirl” who lives in Washington state’s wine country, where her husband is a carrot farmer. She grew up in the dry-land wheat fields of Eastern Washington, where learning to drive the family truck and tractors, along with “snipe hunting,” were rites of passage. She has dirt under her nails and in her veins. In true farmgirl fashion, she struggles to balance home, business, children, and marriage. Her passions include gardening, backyard chickens, canning, and redwork embroidery.

“Being a part of MaryJane’s farmgirls helps me recreate that sense of small-town community that I knew so well growing up—that place where neighbors would knock on your door for a cup of sugar or get together to make sausage. There is no place on Earth I would rather be than on the farm.”

E-mail René.

The Rural Farmgirl Blog columns copyright © 2009 René Groom. All rights reserved.

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