The Land Of Counterpane

Well, we got snowed in as predicted. Paul has been out shovelling the drive no less than 4 times in the past two days. I am afraid he'll have to do it again before long. (He is the Emergency First Responder for our town and area and cannot be snowed in)

Good thing we planned the weekend in. Athena got sick. I should have known. I should have trusted her. She cried on Friday that she "Spends way too much time at school" and that she'll "miss me too much if she goes." Saturday she had a fever all day. I hesitated to give her ibuprofen but when she got the headache and sore throat, I gave her a half dose. She was tired all day and spent some time in bed playing with her toys and drawing. Check out the fantastic Scarlet Macaw.

We read oodles of books. She watched a movie, had a 90 minute bath, at supper and was off to bed.

She recalled a poem in "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson titled

The Land of Counterpane. Of course we had to read it too.

And put two pillows at her head. And have all her toys before her lay. Apple slices and water as well. Today she is somewhat improved but still rather lethargic. It sucks to be sick on the weekend.

The Land of Counterpane

When I was sick and lay a-bed

I had two pillows at my head,

And all my toys beside me lay

To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so

I'd watch my leaden soldiers go

With different uniforms and drills,

Among the bed-clothes through the hills.

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets,

All up and down among the sheets;

Or brought my trees and houses out

And planted cities all about.

I was the giant great and still

That sits upon the pillow-hill

And sees before him dale and plane

The pleasant land of counterpane.

Robert Louis Stevenson

(Grrr. Very frustrated Blogger won't let me adjust the spaces properly on the poem. Apologies.)