Flushing

I sometimes wish I had picked a more delicate subject to blog about – arranging flowers, or folding napkins or decorating cupcakes. While these are all worthwhile pursuits, I know absolutely nothing about any of them so I plan to stick with “mindful breathing” even when that means dealing with a relatively gross subject like toilet flushing.

If we could make each cold and virus bug visible to the human eye, you would faint the next time you walked into your john.

1. At least once a week, make a quick swipe of all knobs and handles with a disinfectant wipe.
2. We’ve already brought the subject of hand washing to a high art.
3. Know that when you flush the toilet you set loose a momentary mist that you want no part of. See? Aren’t you already longing for a napkin to fold? Just don’t lean directly over the toilet bowl when you flush! Turn your face away and stretch out your arm as long as possible.

Gentlemen, you move the seat up and down more than we do so please take extra care with the hand washing. I’m going away now to decorate a cupcake (after washing my hands).

Be well. Breathe beautifully.

Plague on the Plane!

You are flying home for a wedding and the person in the seat next to you has a super-sloppy sneezy cold. The FAA takes a dim view of your stuffing a passenger into the overhead. The flight attendant will be terribly amused when you ask to be moved to another seat.

Some travel specialists suggest putting a little antibiotic cream in your nose although that won’t defend you from a viral ambush. Vaseline in your nose, however, will help keep you hydrated for the journey and hydration is crucial! Dried out nose, sinuses, eyes and throat cripple your glorious glistening pulmonary mucus blanket that is designed to trap and repel dangerous incoming stuff. Once this protective layer dries out, you are a sitting dried-out duck.

Drink lots and lots of water the day before the trip and lots and lots of water on the plane. LOTS. Notice I did not say coffee, soda, or alcohol, all of which dry you out. Take along eye drops and hand-sanitizer gel that comply with carry-on restrictions. You could wear a tight-fitting mask and tell everyone you are protecting everyone else from YOUR cold. Not very practical but then if you are to be the maid-of-honor . . . . .

You need to be up and moving whenever the aisle is clear to keep your legs free of possible clots anyway and with Typhoid Mary shoulder to shoulder, it is even more important.

And finally, DO NOT SLEEP ON THE PLANE. This is dangerous for your legs and very dangerous for your respiratory system. You will mouth-breathe and you can’t afford it.

Be well. Breathe beautifully.