No, not seriously ill, but miserable enough to render me basically good for nothing. So I’m writing this now to explain why none of you wonderful people have heard from me. My intentions were good. I had promised my house sitter to post regular accounts of this trip. Instead I was exhausted from coughing myself out of sleep for at least a week and a half. Closest thing I can remember is whooping cough as a child, tho’ not officially that. Then followed a period of sleeping constantly and feeling lousy in between. My nutritionist won’t like it, but I finally saw the ship’s doctor for an anti-biotic.
I have managed to squeeze in some excursions which I hope to blog about later. (But both my cameras needed a battery recharge, so no great videos to offer.) I think I’m recovering. Planning later today to participate in a walk on the Rock of Gibralter. Pushing it.
So I just finished going through almost a thousand e-mails. Presumably every room on the Koningsdam has WiFi access, but our cabin is the last one in the rear of the ship, and it doesn’t quite reach us, so I have to travel to other parts of the ship to log on (to my very expensive package.)
By the way, with all the wonderful food, my appetite has gone underground. Oh well, I expect things will pick up, and I’m glad I’m here.
My real purpose is to tell all you who have tweeted and re-tweeted things about me and “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses” that I greatly appreciate it and would, under ordinary circumstances, be thanking you. So please accept this as my thanks.
And thanks, too, to you who have commented on my blog who haven’t yet received a reply. And the newsy folks who have sent me interesting e-mails to which I may never get to respond.
Life is good. I have to be grateful that being sick is such a rarity for me. I think the last time I felt this awful (except, maybe, for the accident) was when my daughter was two and I taught through a bout of viral pneumonia until my Doctor finally ordered me home and to bed. What a relief!
Anyway, thanks. I hope this reaches you, and the next blog will be much more joyful.
monagustafsonaffinito 
Darling Mona, sending tons of love:) and a suggestion for play: read exercise 15 “The Monster” in “108 ways to turn crises into possibilities” and see if you can play with and transform whatever caused this illness. Which sounds very bad, and you are a wonder to sound so non-miserable about it.
Thanks for this. I seem to be back in the swing today — finally! Great visit yesterday to Sicily and today to Malaga. Now what takes up my time is doing what I’ m supposed to be doing — having fun on a cruise.
Take good care of yourself. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Dottie
Dottie, Dottie. You are so sweet. Thanks. I seem to be back i the swing today — enjoying the cruise with little time to write. Maybe tomorrow I’ll have another entry.
Hope you feel better soon, friend!
Mary
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Thank you, Mary. I seem to be back in the swing today — having cruising fun. Maybe tomorrow I’ll find time to blog more. Your good wishes certainly helped.
Feel better and enjoy the rest of the trip. That’s an order.
OK! Thanks. That helped. Today I feel like me — a good place to be, I guess. Loved Sicily yesterday and Malaga today. Will find time to blog more eventually.
So sorry to hear you have been feeling so lousy. Take it easy–you are in the right place for that–and feel better soon. I hope the antibiotics help you feel better SOON!
Phil may not be happy, but the antibiotics seem to have helped. Enjoying cruising yesterday and today. Hope to blog again soon. You are such a doll to send your good wishes.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Thanks, Amy. Wishing you well on your project. And yes, I’m feeling like me again. Busing enjoying cruising.
Miss you! How is your book selling about Mrs Job?
Mrs. Job is dead in the water, as is her re-edit “Figs & Pomegranates & Special Cheeses.” Still trying. Reviews are great. Thanks for asking. Take care.
Get well soon Lots of love from us in Norway🇳🇴🇳🇴🌺
What a lovely, warm wish from Norway. Thanks many times over. And yes, I do seem to be back to normal — busy enjoying cruising. Wonderful Seville yesterday and great visit to Malaga today. I’m happy to know you are there.