Fever, Zen? How high? Body aches? Dizziness? I think if any of those are present it's worth at least a call to your PCP.

It may just be a matter of fluids, ibu, rest, and megadoses of C if it's viral. But on the chance it's bacterial, you should get it checked out.

bonny - I was shopping on Utrecht's website and in addition to the design/artist quality markers they also have "children's" drawing supplies including a set of 20 Reeves markers for under $14.00.

oooh. Thanks sumi. I'll have to give those a try. I did find Sharpies at Costco, but the tips are too large. Really bad for control.

I have to say, Toddson sent me the cutest birthday card. It features a dog (pretty sure it's a Beagle) lying on his back, under the stars, on top of a dog house. The sentiment is divine:

May cosmic bliss come down and scratch you on the belly.

I wish this for you all.

Thanks Todd!

if your lungs are making noise - real sick. wortha doctor visit

aha! you're welcome! I saw it and thought of you. And Bartleby, of course.

Bonny, you might also try a craft store for coloring supplies.

Permission to throttle the people who call our lost dog # to tell us they have her and then hang up. It happens at least once a day, and it is always upsetting. I hate people not us.

Bonny, DH should be calling you soon from a 510 number, if he hasn't already.

Why are people so mean? and why do they have to put effort into it?

What Beth said, Zenkitty. It may be a secondary bacterial infection, but even if it's not, the doctor can prescribe real cough medicine and something to help open up your lungs. Drink lots of fluids. Breathe steam. Be sure to prop up your head and shoulders when you lie down. Get better.

eta: That's terrible, Sparky. Just when I thought my opinion of people who are not us could not get lower....

I will be kicking them in their most sensitive parts while you throttle them, Sparky. What the eff is wrong with people?! grrr

Oh, Sparky, that's terrible. I can't believe people sometimes.

There's a bit of debate going on at a blog I read - Greater Greater Washington - about accommodating people in wheelchairs on public transit (Metrorail specifically). It was sparked by a piece by a woman visiting DC who's in a wheelchair and tried to use Metrorail to go see the cherry blossoms. But she kept finding that at the stations the elevators weren't available - at one she had to go down four steps only to find that the elevator wasn't accessible. At another the elevator was blocked off, but no notice of whether it was broken, out of service, or anything.

Now ... the reason I'm putting this in here is the comments. Some people are saying that Metro is the most accessible subway system in the country and we should be happy it's better than the older systems that make no accommodation. Others are saying that, since the escalators are broken so often, that they should rip them out and put in stairs. One person said the writer was ungrateful, because she eventually got out of the final station when a Metro employee pretty much carried her up on the escalator.

I'm just being astounded by how mean people are being.

Admittedly, there are some who are pointing out that Metro's supposed to be in compliance with ADA. And it's been suggested that the Metro Board should try riding the systemin a wheelchair (others are saying that Board members should try riding Metro, period).