Down for the Count

 Yesterday morning, I went for a nice neighborhood walk.

I felt a headache coming on once I got home and should have taken medicine right away, but didn't.

Big mistake!

It turned into a migraine that put me in bed around 4:00 p.m. and a few hours later I threw up.

I was up a lot during the night to drink a sip of water and go to the bathroom.

Woke up at 5:15 a.m. today.

Thankfully, the headache is gone, but I'm still dealing with a cough and nose blowing from the cold.

Quite aggravating.

Good news is that there's been no eye pulsation for several days now (see previous post if you don't know what I'm talking about).

Came across this quote and thought it appropriate for the turning of the calendar and the current state of politics worldwide.

“Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.”
(Charles Lamb)

Current Circumstances

 Let's start off with some color therapy

Bougainvillea and blue skies.

March has not gone according to plan where blogging and walking are concerned.

Have you heard of ocular myokymia?

"Plalking" -- Picking up litter while walking.

I've been dealing with visible pulsation under my left eye for a couple of weeks now.  I've been to two doctors who both say, don't worry, it will go on its own -- and they are right, it does, but then comes right back again.  Sometimes for hours, sometimes days.

The possible usual suspects are too much caffeine, stress and anxiety, not enough sleep -- similar to what I was told when I had several weeks of heart arrhythmia in 2021.  Did a blood test to check my magnesium level which is perfectly fine.  Because I have dry eyes, likely made even worse by the glaucoma drops, I also need to limit my screen time so have been reading more; but, if I read for too long, even that causes eye strain.  My bedtime gets earlier and earlier because my eyes are so tired by the end of the day.  The problem is, though the eyes are tired -- the mind and body are not -- so there's often a lot of tossing and turning. 

Frustrating to say the least.  So I have to try and figure out what's enough, what's too much.

I just hope this isn't going to be a chronic issue. 

And ...

to top that off,

my husband was coughing away last week with a sore throat --

now it's my turn.

Started with a burning throat and has now traveled to my nose.  When I walk outside, my nostrils feel like they are burning, my nose runs at night.  Cough, cough, cough.  Today add sneezing and nose blowing to the mix.

Warmer weather isn't helping the situation or my symptoms.  But the pollinators are happy.

Take care,

Friday Flowers

For your viewing pleasure.

Have a good weekend.

Reading and Birding at the Park

 The weather has been so lovely the past couple of days.

Took my book to the park for a little reading.  It's one I bought last year while in the States.  I started it once but didn't get very far, so have started it again.

Had a teeny tiny visitor alight upon my book.

So pleased I got such a clear picture of it since it is so little.

Found a feather on the ground and placed it in the crevice of a tree.

And dropped off another crocheted nest that blends in so well.

The introduction ...

And two of my favorite birds ...

the bulbul ...

and the common mynah.

Both have amazing vocalizations.

What's your favorite bird?

The Color of Cheer

 Sent this collage of yellow flowers to my youngest son this evening.

His favorite color is yellow.

Wishing you a cheerful start to  your week.

Museum Day a Year Ago

March 9, 2024 -- exactly a year ago --  I was staying with my youngest son in NY before my return to Kuwait after spending a month in the States taking care of my mom.

It was a very cold, rainy day as we made our way to the Brooklyn Museum.

I had recalled an Instagram post by Wafa Ghnaim of Tatreez and Tea, a Palestinian Dress Historian, Researcher and Writer, about the mislabeling of a Palestinian thobe at the museum so I wanted to see it for myself. 

Though the thobe was on display, the sign describing it had been removed -- with good reason.  I honestly can't believe the first one was even allowed to be posted in a museum that was founded in 1823.  Surely their curators do their research to make sure they are authentically labeling the exhibits.

Photo screenshot from @tatreezandtea

I went to Wafa's original post of October 8, 2023 to mention the missing placard and get an update on what was happening.  She said that it had been removed and that she was writing an appropriate and accurate caption -- a process that took many, many months to be approved, but finally, as of May last year, the new placard was installed.

Photo screenshot from @tatreezandtea

Definitely a much more professional description of the thobe which is a work of art.

Some additional photos at the museum.

It was a nice day at the museum with my boy.

Sunday blessings,

Walk With Me Wednesday

 Well, yesterday, I broke my walking streak.

I guess when you break one (blogging), it's inevitable and easier to break the next (walking).

I can blame it on the weather -- should have walked in the morning, because by the time I thought I'd walk mid-afternoon, it was a rainy mess ... and a good excuse to stay home.

But, I made sure to walk today.  Twice.

The birds were having a whale of a time at the park since the rain soaked ground makes it easier to forage.

The trees were filled with the sounds of chirping.

I dropped another crocheted nest in the crook of a tree.

And released this kitty from the electrical substation.  The door sometimes swings open and then is closed shut again and she must have gotten in between those times.  I heard her faint meow from behind a locked door and had to go around to the other side to let her out.  I don't know how long she was in there, but she promptly ate up all the tuna I had put out. 

Current stats:

Blogging 61/64

Walking 63/64

Onward and upwards.