A runny nose and constant sneezing were just the first step with this nasty cold. Last night, it evolved into an uncontrollable cough and fever that has me cancelling all outside activities today. I will miss lunch with my friends, but not making the trip to the dentist isn’t quite as disappointing. I got up at the usual time despite a sleep deprived night to let the dog out and do a shortened version of my daily run. I feel exhausted, having spent half the night on my office love seat so my hacking wouldn’t further disturb my wife. She’s getting over a similar bout with a nasty cold that has now become mine. However, I was not expecting the cough that may be the knock-out punch.

I ran the minimum mile-plus to maintain my consecutive daily running streak that has now reached 4,071. It will be enough stimulation to keep me from going back to bed for a few hours. I have a Social Security hassle to deal with, but that isn’t urgent. There’s some paperwork I have to get signed by my wife’s former employer to prove that I was covered by her insurance during the time period after I filed for Medicare. I already went through this once, but apparently the paperwork got lost in the mail. Yesterday, I called the Medicare hotline and was on hold for a half-hour before they informed me I needed to call Social Security for this Medicare Part B issue. That required another hour of patience. The forms they sent don’t even have a return address listed, to make matters even more complicated. They certainly don’t make it easy on us old farts!

I know this sounds silly but I may not have even had the energy to get out of bed this morning if the I.U. basketball hadn’t somehow pulled off a road victory last night. How can a grown man be so attached to a game played by college students? It shows that I’ve never really grown up, yet fully doesn’t explain why my mood often revolves around their success or failure. The much needed win made me smile when I had lost all hope a few days ago. For a few precious days, there will be no backwash on the coach and players, as it continues to be an inconsistent hot-and-cold season. After all these years, I can still feel my team’s embarrassments or accomplishments even though it makes no logical sense. 

On a more practical side, I’m waiting for my state and federal tax refunds, an unexpected windfall that was also a mood changer. It will help manage our expenses and keep me in cough syrup, but won’t have much of an impact on I.U. basketball. We’ll use some of it for our upcoming trips to Phoenix, Tucson, and San Francisco. I might even practically set-aside some education funds for my grandchildren. With a runny nose, achy joints, and nagging cough, it’s tough to think about any of these pleasantries. I just can’t take another rough night!