I have been fighting a cold for a few days - ever since, on Saturday, we experienced what Sicilians term "a hurricane" but would just be thought of as " a bit of wind and a shower or two" back in Cardiff, UK. The lack of proper double glazing and the ease with which water seeps through balcony shutters makes for miserable conditions indoors though nothing, of course, like those caused by the floods taking place in some areas of Britain at the moment.
Yesterday my cold developed into what I had to admit is la febbre and, according to Sicilians, this means I should be in bed under a pile of blankets and hotwater bottles. However, I am still British enough to defy them right up to head-spinning point and then even I had to come home, cuddle up with Simi and give in gracefully.
While I was perusing some death proverbs for Monday's post, I came across a few to do with illness that made me smile and here they are:
Cattaru, vinu cu lu carru - For catarrh, you need wine by the cartload.
Marva ti sarva - Mallow will save you [also said about sage in some versions].
Ogghiu di cumuni, sana ogni dolore - Normal olive oil cures everything.
Cu havi a frevi, macari u meli ci sapi amari - Even honey tastes bitter if you have a fever.
Pri la rifriddatura cci voli nidi di picciuna - To get rid of a cold, you need a pigeon's nest [ie., the warmth of your bed].
And finally, just to cheer myself up as I edge nearer to my three-score and ten:
Quannu lu mali è 'nvicchiutu, mancu Ippocrati cci pò dari aiuti - When the sick person is old, not even Hippocrates can help him.
12 comments:
The second consecutive blog where the writer has a cold! Do get well soon, Pat, and look after yourself.
Who listens to old Hippocrates anyway?!
Thanks, Liz.xx
Hello Pat, hope you are feeling better soon. I would take notice of the Sic ilians , I would take myself of too bed, We certainly have seen horrendous bad weather here , and it does not look like it is going to go away yet :-( take care xoxo
My mother strongly believed in Hot Toddies when I was very young and had a bad cold. To this day, I hate the taste of hot whisky mixed with honey and lemon. But I have to admit that it did the trick then, and still now, as I'm always pushed to fix a couple when I cough and feel feverish. It does put one asleep quite fast.
Honey is also a great healer with tea and lemon. Also on toast, and even by the teaspoon!
Enjoy those remedies. And get well fast, dear Pat.
Take care. I still swear by my mother's remedy for chest colds: hot water, lemon and honey, on a continuous basis. Of course, rest and relaxation will cure anything.
Hi, Anne. Yes, I went to bed yesterday afternoon! Hope the weather gets better for you there. x
Hi, Claude. Yes, hot toddies! I find hot orange juice works, too. I'll try the honey on toast. Thank you. Thanks, Rosaria. Yes, rest and relaxation would help!
Well, I'm glad you did give in at the end, Pat, gracefully or not! Take good care of yourself! None of this nonsense of trying to fight it! They stopped handing out medals for that ages ago!
I hope you're feeling 100% better as I write...and if you don't take heed, I'll email Simi and tell her to take you to task for me! :)
I've been lucky this season with only the occasional sniffle. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we've been eating fresh pineapple almost every single day, but whatever the case, I am ready for more sunny days!
Hot Limoncello?
Hope you're feeling better soon!
Do take care that your cold doesn't develop into anything worse like pneumonia or bronchitis! I shouldn't say this but "knock wood" I have been quite well so far this season! Last year was awful with a lingering bronchitis...So stay warm and cuddle up with Simi until you feel well enough to venture out again.
Thank you, Lee and you're right about medals! Simi is looking after me well and says she will get in touch with you if I don't behave! I do feel better today. Hi, Rowena. I'm off to buy all the pineapple I can get tomorrow! Good idea, WW but I can't touch alcohol any more, sadly. Thank you, Betty and you too, Leslie. I'll heed your advice but I feel a lot better today.
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