Stubborn Hubby

"Stubborn 4 Life" LosAngeles Graffiti Art (Photo credit: anarchosyn)

Jo, where have you been?
Oh, out chasing my paint brush and writing when I can. Lately, I've been helping Hubby cut trees, removing limbs, piling limbs, chucking limbs. We have such a huge pile. I suppose you could call it a wall. A very long six foot high wall of pine needles, spruce boughs, birch branches, roots, rotted trees and lots of twigs.

Exhausting work. Hubby is not as youthful as he believes he is. Nor am I. But he still impresses onlookers when he fells two trees at once. Scary and awesome. In the end, we toss and turn as we try to sleep. His knees, his calves, my knuckles, my feet, my back hurt. I offer to get the turmeric.
He replies, "It's okay. I'll be fine."
 "Are you sure? When was the last time you took a turmeric capsule?"
"Yesterday."
"But you're hurting tonight."
No response. So I rise making my way to the medicine cabinet where I store my home made turmeric powder capsules. Dark orange turmeric powder in veggie gel capsules. Organic. A local compounding druggist taught me how to make my own capsules.  Quite simple. Messy. But simple. I pour eight ounces of water and pad back to the bedroom, in the dark so Hubby won't be disturbed.

English: A variety of Turmeric Flower found in Maharashtra, India. Turmeric or "Indian Saffron" is one of the most commonly used spice in India - a key flavoring ingredient in any Indian cuisine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"Here is your turmeric and lots of water. Be sure to drink plenty."

Turmeric powder 薑黃粉 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"It's okay, sweetheart. I took some yesterday."
"I know. I take one every day. Some times more. You need to take one tonight."
"I'll be okay."
"You aren't okay now and I want to sleep. I ache, I'm taking my dose and if you don't take yours I'll be up all night listening to you toss and turn... and snore."
"All right. I'll take it. But just a sip of water. You brought too much."
"Oh. I forgot you like being dehydrated as well as being in pain."
"Aww. C'mon Hun. Be nice to me."
"What do you think I'm doing? I am nice to you. Why else am I walking around in the dark risking a broken toe,  hauling water from the well along with this ancient two thousand year old remedy for inflammation?"
Silence.
"Well? Shall I pour it over you or will you drink it?" I laugh.
"You are a good wife and great caretaker. Okay, I'll take it." Hubby takes the pill, sips about a tablespoon of water. Enough to possibly choke on the capsule.
"I think you need to take more water, Hun."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"Well, okay. I'll drink some more."
"Thank you. If you finish it you'll find a prize at the bottom of the glass."
"What prize?"
"Me looking at you from the bottom. Smiling at you."
Hubby guzzled the eight ounces of water, grinned and handed me the empty glass. "You are a caring wife. I love you."
"I love you too. Now lets get some sleep. We'll both feel better in the morning."

Next morning, we were free of pain and Hubby thanked me for the turmeric.

"You should take another capsule before we start cutting more trees today. Six hours of hard labor is too much for seniors like us. We aren't young anymore."
"That's okay Hun. I took one yesterday."
"How can I forget." I smile as he walks out with his chain saw and ear protectors.
I take a turmeric before I join him and tuck an extra one in my pocket. Just in case. I am a good wife and he's a great hubby. Just a little stubborn is all.

PS: Sometimes, when I run out of capsules, I stir turmeric in hot bouillon or in my mashed potatoes. A capsule makes it easier to swallow.