Famous Last Words

I'm supposed to see my friend Tammy today.  But, with having a cold, we're not real sure that's going to happen.  I spoke to her on the phone last night, and we decided we'd talk this morning.  I told her that I could probably pump myself full of drugs and nobody would know that I'm sick, but it was up to her if she wanted to be around my possibly contagious self.

I had forgotten this adorable little quirk of mine that developed about ten years ago.  About one in three of my colds now include a couple days of laryngitis.

I do not know why this is.  (A stroll through webmd -- to check on the status of contagiousness -- suggests this is probably because I avoid nighttime decongestants early in the cold process unless I'm really really badly congested.  They tend to completely dry out my sinuses to the point of it getting painful, so I try to avoid overmedication.  But, apparently, this can send the, er, mucus, down into one's larynx.  Live and learn, huh?)

So, as of late last night -- no voice at all.  This weirded out the cat something fierce, as I usually talk encouragingly to her quite a bit.  (You know, "good girl!" when she happens to use the box in my presence -- that sort of thing.)  I whispered at her, but it isn't quite the same.  (I know this will come as a shock, but I don't think the cat actually understands my words.)

Got a decent night's sleep and I have a little voice left.  I don't know whether it's going to desert me again today.  The only way to find out is to use it, and I'd like to wait until Tammy calls before I make the foray into polysyllabic dialogue.  (I actually contemplated sending a text message explaining the situation, but since I've been capable of grunting this morning, we'll give words a shot.  She's pretty bright, Tammy is, and will likely catch on after a fairly raspy, "Hello.")