Mixed Medicine

This week has been some what rough on the Lui household.  Hon's mom has been sick since last week and sadly caught pneumonia.  She's doing better now, but she's in the hospital for the time being.

The future father-in-law is sick as well.  Since I've known him, he has referred to himself on more than one occasion as the "doctor."  Today is no different.  He's drinking various teas made with various herbs to cure that which is not right in his Chi.  He is also drinking water, sleeping a lot and eating somewhat bland food (including, supposedly, a pork chop).  If left up to him, he would stay at home until he could heal himself of whatever has a hold of his lungs.

And yes, he is still smoking.  In Chi-land, smoking chases out the hot air or something.

Thankfully he has only protested the humidifier I brought over ("Mei gwat medicine!" as I called it) in words, but has allowed us to keep in filled and humming in whatever room he's sleeping in.  Maybe he enjoys that it's an elephant.

This morning, I bought a thermometer, insisted on changing the towels and the sheets, and helped make some comfort food: Jok/congee with ginkgo nuts, hand-ground pork and dried scallops.  Hon was proud of my strength (ground pork comes only with hundreds of chops from a Chinese knife) and his mother was delighted that I cooked--and ate--scallopy jok.  We'll see what she says when she tries it...

After breakfast, I took a temperature, convinced the future father-in-law (with Hon's help) that he needed to finally see a doctor, and delivered congee and other necessities to the mama-in-law. 

On my way to work, I purchased OJ, airborne and cough drops.   I'd love to curl up in my bed with a cup of tea to fend off the cold I feel brewing in my throat, but for now I'll suffice with a Mei-gwat overload of vitamin C.  Maybe if I get sick, I can teach them how to make penna-dutch chicken pot pie!