It Hurts When You Break Your Nose

Last Wednesday night, when I was home alone except for Katie Cat and Sassy Dog, I tripped over a rolled up carpet runner I’d left in a stupid place, fell face-first into the hard arm of an easy chair, and broke my nose. I scrambled up and made a mad dash to the bathroom — all I could think about was the imminent threat I’d be anointing our brand new carpet with my own blood.

I’m happy to say the neighbor was home to run me up to Urgent Care, I did not damage my facial bones or skull, and the carpet is fine. When my husband got home from his bridge game, expecting the usual relaxed and happy Pat and pet crew to greet him at the door, he couldn’t believe what I’d done. I think from now on, he’ll keep his cell phone on when he’s gone for the evening.

My face still is a purple mess that makes me look like I’m wearing warpaint, but I don’t think I’ll end up with a hook or a hump. The bridge of my nose still hurts and I still ice it to relieve the intense aching. And I try not to sneeze. Sneezing is bad.

Those Other Facts of Life

1. In my lifetime, the dietary rules of healthy eating have changed so many times that it’s no wonder we give up and eat whatever we want. Are you old enough to remember when eggs, coffee, and butter were considered deadly? Now they’re considered good for us, and the things we used as substitutes are bad, bad, bad.

2.  Pneumonia is a killer disease for the elderly. The worst part is that it’s often asymptomatic until it’s too late. The factors that contribute to such a scary illness are immobility, existing congestive heart disease, and poor nutrition. And for the elderly, poor nutrition is not necessarily related to the availability of a good diet. Often it’s the result of a decreasing appetite, foods no longer tasting good, and the lack of energy to go to the table or dining room.

3.  Other things that might not be good for your health: exercising outside on these really hot days, watching the RNC and DNC conventions too long at a time (can affect both your physical and mental health), and constant monitoring of your phone or tablet.

4.  Things that are really good for you: walking (while being careful not to trip and fall), stretching, massages, and meditating. I’ve been reading up on meditation and have discovered 5 or 10 minutes of meditation at a time in a comfortable chair works just fine for me without using timers, tapes or CDs guides, or rules. I sit, relax my muscles, focus on breathing in and out, gently bring my wandering mind back to the breath, and I stop when I feel like it. No pressure meditation.

5. And finally, don’t forget the Goodreads giveaway of 5 signed hardcover copies of Dead Wrong will end on July 30th. Sign in to Goodreads and then click here to get to the Dead Wrong page.