Still sick

Someone called me this morning to ask if I could do a last-minute birthday party gig (i.e. tomorrow morning). I would have done it had I not still felt so sick. I gave her some ideas for the party and she said she'd keep me in mind for when her other child had a birthday this year. Whenever I get sick, I wonder, "How will I be able to pull through when I actually have a gig?" I've done it, of course. I've done storytelling when I had laryngitis. Once, early in my career, I performed what might have been my scariest rendition of "The Gunniwolf" ever. With all of the various snifflies and coughs popping up, I have only ever once had to cancel a storytelling performance. I had a high fever, no voice, and I didn't know pantomime. My supervisor sent me home from the library and had someone read picturebooks to the audience.

I know how to prop myself up and get through performances when I feel absolutely terrible. But still, each time I get sick, I wonder, "How will I be able to pull through when I actually have a gig?" The answer: I just do.

Here are some coping mechanisms:
1) Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea. Traditional Medicinals, this is free advertising for you. If I am going to shill for a product, this herbal infusion would be it. Hurrah for slippery elm bark!

2)Hot water, whisky and honey. Note: this is for after the gig, not before. At the very least, I can tell myself, "I can get through this and then I can have my hot toddy. Maybe two. Definitely two."

3) White rice or flax seed inside a tied-up/sewn up sock (or reasonable facsimile), heated in the microwave and then placed around my shoulders or lower back.

I avoid cold medicines, even the ones that claim to be non-drowsy. They all make me drowsy and I get hallucinogenic dreams as well. My hallucinogenic dreams usually involve returning to high school (even though I have a Master's Degree) and working at a mind-dulling government job. Any potential benefits of the cold-medicine are completely nullified by these dreams. Did I mention that I had to take gym class in these dreams?

Pictured: Lucia uses some of my props for her dollies' opera attendance. How does she know that, when I'm sick, I'm more likely to let her play with my toys?