This is a lucky day in my family. My husband and one of my daughters were born on the thirteenth Friday of a month so I always considered it a lucky date.

I think I have finally stopped coughing. I left my bed for the sofa and Neo-Citran (found an old box in the linen cupboard), about an hour after I lay down, unable breathe or swallow. I woke at 7 this morning having slept the rest of the night upright, not coughing.

My body still feels strained, the way you feel after too much exercise in one day (back to my normal discomfort). My throat and chest have been well travelled, but I have more wits about me than I had yesterday. I might eat something today, if it doesn’t taste too terrible.

All good.

Now, where was I?

January is a a bleak blank month and I have spent almost half of it now in limbo, watching Netflix. Not all bad, though time-consuming. I think the resolutions can wait a bit longer. I’ll cook first. I haven’t been, cooking or eating.

Remember Brecht: “Grub first, then ethics.”

No.

Let’s do Pet Peeves.

I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix and other things, as you know. and the bad grammar and the careless speech habits are getting to me.

e.g.. “the both of you”. Where did the come from? Both of you does just fine. Both is not a noun and must not be identified as such with an article (the)—not necessary. I’m sure both of us agree.

“not that big of a deal”. Again, this is not huge but it is so annoying, also redundant. I’s not t that big a deal to correct. Just omit of. Or say difficult,

And then there are the little connectors that help to make sense. Or else use a more accurate term.

oblivious to. You can say unaware of.

bored with. You can say tired of.

There are others but I can’t think of them now. i should have written them down as they occurred.

Now, this is a proper blog and not a damp page out of Bettyjane’s diary.

I’ll quit while I’m ahead.

I like the comment. Any more?