Exhaustion, Mudflats and Old Dogs

  The past few days have been taxing.  With the menfolk in the household ill, all of the chores have fallen on my shoulders, once again.  This includes caring for the two fellows and a sick cat.  There is not a lot of sleep on my agenda as of late!  That said, I do what I can.  This morning, my day started at 3:30 am.  The weather took a turn for the worse.  High winds and a drizzly rain woke me from a sound sleep.  Uh, oh.  The evening before saw me outside gathering carpenter tools from the scaffolding, covering lumber and unplugging extension cords.  The illness hit the menfolk while they were in the middle of doing repairs on the Little Bayou House.  Massive headaches, body aches and fever made them abandon the task and head indoors.  Once I got them settled in for the duration, I had to clean the mess.  Then, fast forward to the wee hours of the morn, and it occurred to me that I had forgotten to cover one stack of lumber and close the shed door.  So...there was nothing to do but get up, head outside and remedy the situation. While it only took a few moments to tend to the forgotten tasks, I could not go back to sleep.  I was up for the day.

  Chores done, menfolk dosed with medicines, animals tended, floors cleaned from a sick cat, bedding changed and laundered, firewood gathered and meals cooked and I was ready for a break!  Just about twelve hours after I arose for the morning, I had a chance to relax for a few minutes.  That relaxation took me to the pier...better known as my "happy place".  I just had to escape the confines of the sick house even if it was just to sit and stare at the mudflats for a while.  The old dog and I sat side by side for a good half hour. He seemed to understand that "I" needed a bit of attention.  We sat together enjoying each other's company.  Good old Mr. PJ!

  Hopefully, the menfolk will be on the mend soon.  I am exhausted. Just last month, both were hurt in minor accidents and all of the combined chores fell to be my responsibility.  I need a break!  I want to sit back and relax!  I want to do something fun!  I want to breathe.....