Change In Plans - (San Antonio, NM)

The temperature was 28 when I got up and our birdbath had frozen solid.  Brrrrr.

We were going to make our next move toward Moab, today.  But I checked the weather for the higher New Mexico elevations and found wind advisories with gusts up to 55 mph at our destination.  Plus snow was in the forecast with overnight temps down in the low 20s.

Therefore, I was going to suggest that we stay put one more day.  But I didn't have to.

Linda regressed in her illness.  Clearly, she doesn't have a cold.  And I'm not sure it is the flu, either.  She coughed her throat raw and could barely talk.

She had a bad night, slept in this morning, and, when she got up, she hoarsly commented that we should stay here today.

I walked over to the office to pay for another night.

We were in desparate need to do laundry, so I took it into Socorro and did it.  Didn't have a clue what I was doing, but I managed to not ruin it.  :)

I did a little grocery shopping and gassed up the Jeep as well.

I picked up some different medicine for Linda.  We thought this was just going to be a cold that would run its course, but I'm starting to worry it is much more serious than that.  We may need to find a doctor if she doesn't improve tonight.

She just sat and watched TV all day.  She has very, very low energy.

I emptied the ice out of the birdbath and refilled it.  Then I put some more seed out to try to keep the birds around.

I was hoping the happy sounds of the sparrows and quails would help her get better.  :)

I did get some better photos of the quail.

These are Gambel's Quail with their fancy head plume.  Handsome birds.

We also attracted a few other birds today.  This is a Brewer's Blackbird.

And we had a visit from this Spotted Towhee.

And this is a new "life bird" for us.  It's a Crissal Thrasher. 

All the birds are using the birdbath, and Linda said a ground squirrel was up on it while I was gone today.  :)

But none of the critters made her feel any better.  She took some nighttime flu medicine and went to bed early.

Hopefully, it will help her sleep and suppress her cough.  I'm hoping things will be a lot better in the morning.

Comments

[Judy]

Linda hope you will feel better real soon. I call the Thrasher bird the devil bird cause he always looks so wicked but fun to watch!
southwestjudy

[Dave Miller]

Get well soon, Linda. Hopefully, plenty of rest and lots of TLC will do the trick!

Yer pal,
Dave

[Cindy T]

Linda, so sorry that you're sick! There aeems to be a nasty bug going around & I know quite a few people who are sick right now. Sure hope you're back on your feet soon!
Howard, the bird pics are great! I love seeing birds that I just don't get to see in my area.

[Alan Howeth]

We really hope you feel better soon. Being sick is no fun. We hope your commitment at Moab is flexible enough to allow you to get better because it appears on Google Earth that the campground there is really isolated. Not so good if you need help. We will be praying for your speedy recovery.

[Snackmaster & Jan]

Get well soon Linda! There is a lot of "respiratory" type flu going around. We have avoided it so far, but it is not a "quick" illness for those we know who have had it. So, take it easy, gets lots of rest and fluids. Hope you are up and around again soon.

Love those Quail, Howard. I think they are one of my favorite birds. I really enjoy watching them :-)

JanC

[Kathy]

Feel better soon, Linda!

Howard, those photos are great. Isn't it fun watching the "little tweety bird biddies" (Gambel's quail). They are very entertaining.

Stay warm. Take care.

Kathy

[Peter]

It may be the flu that Linda has. Watch for fever and dehydration. These symptoms can be problematic and may require IV fluids. There is a strain of flu this winter that is not "covered" by the flu shot. Did Linda have the flu shot?
One of our employees has the flu right now ,and the symptoms sound close to what you describe.
I don't want to be an alarmist. And I hope Linda is feeling much better soon.

[Darby Corwin]

Sounds to me like it is time to go see a local Dr., He will be able to prescribe something that will help Linda get over it quicker. This time of the year there seems to be a lot of the flu viruses going around.
We are hoping you are up and running soon.

[Ray Scrafield]

Hi Howard, just a quick note about Linda's illness. A close friend who is a long haul trucker got the same bug a while back and he suffered for a couple of days before going to a "Doc in the Box". He got a shot of amoxicillin and it knocked the bug out right away. He was laid up in his sleeper and really was sick. Hope Linda feels better soon. It is miserable to be sick.
Ray

[Sandra]

Get well soon, Linda! Maybe it's time for a doctor visit!
Look after her, Howard! Great photos!

[Judy D.]

We've had several people come down with Influenza B which is the flu not covered by the shot. Sounds like the symptoms she has.. Cough is the worse. They went to doctor for Tamiflu (sp?) and it seemed to help.

[RodI]

While in Texas this January, I came down with an upper respiratory infection that had the same overwhelming cough and loss of voice and overall body aches. It took a trip to the Dr. and one of the strongest antibiotics to cure. I was sick for another week even with the drugs. If Linda has this same stuff, she will need the Dr's help to get over it. Get well fast! RodI

[foxriverguy]

When in doubt, go see a local doctor. We need you in better health, Linda.

[Jenny J]

Linda, Sorry to hear you are ill, I sure do hope you are feeling better real soon. We need you well!!! I know that flu and cold is bad this is the second time I have had it this winter. Boy am I ever ready for spring.

Howard your pictures lately have been absolutely awesome. Really enjoying them
You two take care and Linda you get better real soon. We miss you in chat.

Jenny

[Netters]

I was sick with something very very similar to this and I eneded up having to take some breathing treatments and 2 prescriptions of Leviquin antibiotic. Also, found that Tylonel Cold Severe Formula seemed to help alot. Linda, I hope you are feeling better soon!

[Bob and Lynda]

Thinking of you two! Get well Linda. I have lost my voice and felt bad Sat.-slept all day, but seem to be ok now except for no voice. We're in Kerrville until Mar 6.