<p>I am not good at being sick.  Mainly because I'm not good at resting.  Mainly because I'm always diving into projects and hobbies that I'm passionate about.  And this makes me not good at being sick.  Because you're supposed to rest and do nothing when you're sick.  You're supposed to turn your mind off.  I don't think that I have an "off" switch.  </p>

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<p>Normal people don't have a problem with being ill.  They call in sick and then take to the couch for a day of watching really bad TV. </p>

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<p>When you're artsy fartsy and slightly neurotic like me, you wake up on your Sick Day and immediately start compiling a To Do list of stuff you've been meaning to get caught up on.  Day 39's To Do list included various blog-related tasks as well as looking up the chords for a new song for the guitar.  I even thought I might cook a pot of homemade soup.  From scratch.   </p>

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<p>Sometimes I really wonder about myself.   </p>

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<p>So does my mother. </p>

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<p>As I recited the list to my mother over the phone, it dawned on me that I felt too crummy and fatigued to move, let alone conquer the list.  I expressed my frustration to my mother. </p>

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<p>"You're just like Nana!  You two always have to be doing something!  You're sick.  You need to rest.  Everything else can wait." </p>

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<p>She's right, of course.  About the rest and about Nana.  The neurosis is most definitely genetic.  </p>

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<p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Example #1: </strong></span> My grandmother was in a near-fatal car accident at the age of 76.  She nearly died at the scene, and then again in ICU days later.  The family was called to the hospital at 1 a.m. and told that she didn't have much time. </p>

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<p>But Portuguese women are a feisty lot, and Nana wasn't ready to check out yet.  It took her weeks to recover in a rehabilitation home, and when she was finally released, she returned to working out at the gym 3 days a week.  And volunteering at the Kidney Foundation store.  And singing in the choir.  And running the Portuguese American Club.  And cooking a homemade meal every night.  And...and...and...Her list always goes on and on and on. </p>

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<p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Example #2:</strong></span>  The summer before last, I was in Florida visiting my grandparents with my family.  Papa, Auntie I, my mom and I were playing Rummikub at the kitchen table.  87 year-old Nana marches out at 10 p.m. in her bathing suit and heads out to the pool announcing, "I didn't get to exercise today, so I better get some laps in before it gets too late!" </p>

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<p>I am really, really lucky that I take after her.  Wouldn't you agree?  :-)</p>

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<p>Anywho, Nana has an Ancient Portuguese Secret for maintaining all this energy.  It's called Shooshing Time. </p>

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<p>Back when we spent summers at the beach house in New York, Nana planned homegrown activities for me and my sister each day:</p>

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<p>Monday -- Nature Class</p>

<p>Tuesday -- Cooking Class (where she talked like Julia Child)</p>

<p>Wednesday -- Health and Beauty Class</p>

<p>Thursday -- Field Trip to the library</p>

<p>Friday -- Arts class</p>

<p>Every day -- Shooshing Time</p>

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<p>Jennie and I <em>loved</em>all the classes.  We could have really done without Shooshing Time. </p>

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<p>Shooshing Time lasted for 1/2 an hour.  We had the option of napping (NOT!) or quietly reading a book. </p>

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<p>Nana naturally opted for the napping.  Nana was "power napping' long before the phrase hit the mainstream. </p>

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<p>I decided that Shooshing Time needed to be observed on my Sick Day.  I fought it for as long as I could.  I talked to friends from my prostrate position on the sofa.  I checked out Facebook.  I read  and responded to blog comments. </p>

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<p>And then at 2:15 the Crud got the best of me, and I took to my bed.  I told myself that if I didn't nap, I needed to stay there for at least 30 minutes to truly honor the tradition of Shooshing Time. </p>

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<p>At 2:45 I was still awake.  Mainly from the coughing.  And distant memories of the To Do list.  But then...a Shooshing Time Miracle!  My off switch worked! </p>

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<p>Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz</p>

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<p>Until 3:30! </p>

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<p>I awoke with enough energy to take a shower!  And fold laundry from the day before!  (Which I didn't finish the day before because I was sick and pooped out.)  And clean out the fridge!  And write a blog post!  And catch up on some paperwork!  And learn a new song on the guitar!  And...and...and...My list always goes on and on and on. </p>

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<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Your assignment for the weekend: </strong></span>Observe 30 minutes of Shooshing Time.  And then write to me and tell me about your Magical Powers afterwards. </p>