flu saga

I have been struck with a flu straight out of the Dark Ages, or the Old Testament or some other era of plague and tempest.

It has been 11 days now - eleven I tell you! Not all of it has been in writhing delirium of fever - that took about 5 days to settle but the cough is truly heinous. My chest whistles and crackles like an old church organ - so not attractive.

But how long am I contagious for I ask you Dr Google???

Some say 24 hours after the last fever -  others say while you have symptoms that you will have active virus. I felt like I had a fever again after a brave venture out yesterday. So now I am a flu criminal  - spreading my contagion all over the place.
I should never have watched that movie just before my trip to Japan. It kept repeating in my head when the cook chopped up the pork and then shook hands with Gwyneth.  ooohh poor Gwyneth you're doomed!..... maybe I still have a fever. I'm now talking to fictitious characters from a movie.

Its summer around these parts so I doubt whether I have unleashed a flu epidemic. I just need some chicken soup and a few more movies ( not Contagion ) and I will be on the mend.

 turmeric, garlic and ginger to boost the immune system

 the recipe called for tamari which is lighter in salt and wheat but this one is all I had.

 Heaps of chopped coriander and some chilli for zing...

at last some chicken soup .... so soothing and comforting.  It will also blow your sox off!

Thank you to Teresa Cutter the healthy cook for her grandmother's recipe for Polish chicken soup.

you just never know

In my meanderings on the www I came across a post by Danielle LaPorte that came just at the right time and resonated strongly with me and others I have shared it with.

Next time someone's behavior makes my blood boil or just makes me shrink away from them I am going to remember the mantra of Practical Compassion " you just never know".
It's not likely you will ever know why someone behaves as they do but having the mantra stops you immediately jumping into unhelpful thought pathways.

from Danielle's post -
You just never know if
: their spirit was fractured as a child by unspeakable things.
: she is frightened — all the time.
: he resists life itself — all the time.
: they are frail from lack of love.

You never know if
: they’re faking loving the heart-hollowed life they fought so hard to make.
: chemicals are coursing through them in destabilizing ways.
: she hasn’t slept through the night in months and months.
: they’ve experienced a loss that will leave a gaping wound for the rest of this incarnation.
: today is especially hard and they’re doing their best, while they wish for just a little more than what they’ve got.
Suspend judgement as a practice of your faith in something true, common, and bigger than today.
   

From my own experience this doesn't mean that you have to allow toxic behavior to penetrate your well being but having the compassion for others to suspend crippling judgement can actually strengthen you.  

blog birthday #2

The blog turned two today - yay party!
I have returned to the birthplace of my blog - Hirafu in Hokkaido. It's wonderful to be back and sitting here looking up the ski run from my little writing possy is pretty darn good. Out the other window is the view to the volcano - Mt Yotei.

 The snow is getting deeper and deeper.

 Oh sweet heaven save me...

 My daily ritual is a visit to Seicomart.

 A gift to celebrate the blog's birthday was wrapped in the Japanese way - I felt quite the barbarian unwrapping it. But this little fellow had to be revealed.  I so want his green hatted brothers. I might have to go back to the Farmer's Market to purchase.

snow play ☃ @moiwa - hokkaido - Japan

 could be any one.

 the group having a feed.

 a little treat for later. I do hat hair very well. One day I will do a tutorial so all my readers can also get the look.

I think getting a new ski suit has put a spring in my step. And the ice cream stop on the way home was very spesh.

snow time

Loving this row of little snowmen.

Even snowmen need specs sometimes...

cute...

aaww

kitch...

amazing...

more kitch..

snow tubing... gave it a miss.

icy cold drinks.

dragon...

wildflowers set in ice...

I am in Japan again!
 Furano in Hokkaido is a winter delight and the snow is light powdery pleasure. These pics were taken at the Ice Show at the New Prince Hotel - a bit like the sand sculptures at Frankston - but made out of snow.