A winter rhinovirus has bivouacked among the family like the Russian army this week. This blogger’s immune system has declared chest-cold war on it. Nights of bronchial bull-riding ensue, making for flat days. The only projects I can limp with at the moment are a little reading and guitar work. Misery leaches the inspiration right out of a person, which is scant news to the miserable. Maria Elena, who helps maintain the house, has picked a batch of lemons and taught me to boil a sprig of thyme to make a hot infusion of lemon juice and honey. Three times a day, she commands.

(c) 2018 JMN.