a ~ Would it have been worth while If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl, And turning toward the window, should say: “That is not it at all, That is not what I meant, at all.”

I have a cold. Everyone knows the best way to treat a cold is with hot cider and rum, and luckily we’re having a rather frigid August, so hot cider and rum sounds just right. But today was packed full of have-tos and, even though it’s mid-evening, I’m not even done. I have to be lucid for one, maybe two more work-related phone calls. Bother. Maybe I could just put a half glug into the mug of hot cider. Would that work? Might the resulting concoction fulfill its healing obligations? But part of what makes cider and rum so effective is the smooth quality of both the liquid going down and the resulting mood. The way my house feels more glowy, my children more kind, the chores more optional, my nose less ganderish. I’m just not sure half a glug will do the trick. Maybe I could add the full glug but only drink half the mug? I’ll miss induction into the clean plate club, but at least I’ll be coherent.  Let’s not kid ourselves, though. When was I ever able to leave half a glass full? Maybe I should drink the hot cider completely free of the glug of rum. Oh – I just made myself laugh! Which hurt my throat like the dickens. No. It’s obvious what I have to do. Reschedule those phone calls. And call it an early night. Cheers.