Taking Care Of Our Parts

Did I tell you about the gift one friend gave me for Christmas? It’s a tool to remove chin hairs. Now is that a friend or what?

I ignored this gift for ages. But then January got boring, so I locked myself in the bathroom one day and studied the package. I opened the box with trepidation. How did it work and, more important, would it hurt? I read the instructions, then carefully began on my face, slowly, slowly rotating the tool. There was no pain! Just a clean, soft hair-free chin. Next year I am going to ask my friend for some long-handled toenail clippers. It’s hard to reach way down there.

Since we have lots more free time in February, we can work at taking care of all of our parts. There are so many creams and lotions on the market to help us that we could spend the entire winter sprucing up! There are potions for every body part. The other day I read an ad for ear lobe cream. (Now really, do we need to keep our ear lobes from wrinkling?)

One day in January (a Thursday of course) I went to the drug store for supplies, including tooth paste. Without paying much attention, I searched the shelves and chose the brand that was on sale. That night before bed I opened the tooth paste and spread it on my brush. It was dark grey, the colour of charcoal. I looked at the label – it Was charcoal! Who knew that charcoal cleans teeth? All I found were stains – on the sink, the counter, and the towel, and a horrible gritty taste in my mouth. Being thrifty, we did not want to waste it, so we just kept using more and more until it was finally finished.

After we finally emerge from our bathroom chores, we still have time for our exercise routine. There is an interactive mirror we can buy: we stand in front of the mirror and watch as the instructor gets us to stretch and bend. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to watch all that fat jiggling around, but I guess it’s better than getting our exercise reaching for the chocolate box.

Speaking of taking care of ourselves, one really good thing about moving from the country to the city is that all our wellness needs can be met nearby. My husband Peter and I can walk to the drug store, the nail salon, the dentist, the bakery (for energy), the doctor, and even a lab that does blood tests, x rays, and other needed medical procedures.

But last week, because of covid, I had my first doctor visit by phone. It was to be a routine examination, reviewing my prescriptions and checking on my overall health. The doctor called about 15 minutes late, not nearly as late as I have often waited for her in her office. And there were no covid germs (that I know of) in my kitchen where I took the call. Following our phone conversation, she sent me, by email, all the various requisitions for blood tests and other routine procedures I needed. The whole experience was efficient and safe.

A couple of days later, after I had checked for chin hairs and tooth paste stains, Peter and I “dressed up” in our winter coats and walked to the medical lab for blood tests. It was a lovely walk, along a river and over a bridge. The lab was well-organized with appointments spread out. The technicians were covered in masks, face shields, gloves and gowns. A short time later we were on our way home with tests done, a few donuts, and 10,000 steps to our credit. Even during a pandemic, city living has a lot to offer.

This February, stay safe and take care of all your parts.

Sue