Still recovering. The diagnosis is a viral infection. The fever and cramps returned last night, not as severely as before but painful enough to land me back in bed. I stopped taking optalgin as it wrecked my respiratory system. I could only take shallow breaths as my lungs seemed to have collapsed. That of course meant less oxygen and therefore headaches, dizziness etc... This has been a dreadful week. Time to reflect on death.
And don't forget, at my funeral, the Intermezzo must be played.
Homegrown vine
But before death comes knocking at the door, here's a lovely sight on this earth: a grapevine with ripening fruit. It's still early on the season. The best grapes come in October. My friend's mum heard that I was ill and she made mloukieh which is a broth made from certain leaves, eaten with rice. It's clean, pure and healthy. Had two helpings, which for me was actually a total of half a dinner plate. No more appetite. I should weigh myself this weekend if I've lost more weight. Anyway the grapevine was in her garden and she gathered 5 bunches for me. Though common here in our parts, it's pretty rare for most of you - to have a grapevine in your garden. I got me thinking about John's Gospel "I'm the vine, you're the branches ... if you abide in me and I abide in you, you shall bear much fruit". I wonder if I've borne much fruit as I head toward the cemetary ....
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