This illness is hanging on. Got up hacking and unable to breathe, so took a benedryl and hit the shower. Felt better, but still coughing - so took some nighttime cough syrup, ate breakfast, read the paper - and then pretty much passed out.

Woke up over an hour later, panicked, and stumbled about - hubby told me that the oldest was off to school and he'd handle the youngest, so I staggered back to bed.

And pretty much stayed there until almost noon. Jeez louise, never really realized how normal meds can just wipe the world away.

Scary thought.

I miss the espresso of Italy. The *crema* that is so smooth, and the nice jolt to the system it provides without the acid stomach.

I miss the person I was in Rome. She gets lost under the clutter of life here.

God, I need to write. Lose myself in a book.