2025 February: We’ve been horizontal more than vertical this month

This is not what we expected, but it’s true. This flu bug got us both down and out for the count. We were horizontal for most of the month.

After a relaxed New Year’s weekend with my son, Jarrod, in San Diego, my best friend from middle school arrived from Nebraska. Jennifer and I haven’t seen each other for a few years; since I was on this side of the pond, we planned five days in Encinitas to visit our old stomping grounds. We were both vertical to begin with.

Our dear friend Kathy Stanton planned a Sunday night get-together with school friends at Tony’s Mexican Food.

It was great catching up with our dear friends. Little did we know we shared more than just hugs and history.

On Monday, we were up and walking. Visiting one of our favorite beaches was a must. Swami’s was the main spot for surfing in Encinitas.

We also visited our favorite beach, 85/60. This is the beach we would go to when we ditched school!

When I woke up on Tuesday, Jennifer was gone. She had driven herself to the urgent care and was battling the flu. She stayed home in bed while I headed for a great lunch with more high school friends. A delicious breakfast with dear friends made my day.

Our Airbnb was so cute and perfect for visiting friends. One day, Annie visited, who was always in on our high school capers! I’m sure she was the instigator; we just followed.

By Tuesday, we had added another high school friend to our adventure. Sara was eager to join us on our next mission, and Jennifer was finally vertical. With medication and inhaler “in hand,” we were off to the perfect cure: donuts! VG’s Donuts in Cardiff was where I worked during high school and where all the cute surfers would come.

It is a Very Good (VG) place to pick up the most delicious donuts in California. The Matee family still owns and operates the business. And the perfect cure for anything from boredom to celebrations…so we thought.

Our rental was one block from the beach, with a fantastic sea view. With coffee in hand on Wednesday morning, we checked out the surf to start our day. By the time Sara left us Thursday morning, she had begun to sniffle, and it looked like she was going down.

Thursday was a day of touring the area. After visiting Jennifer’s home, where she grew up in Rancho Santa Fe, and mine in Olivenhein, we enjoyed walking the streets of Encinitas and taking in the sites. It was a great way to celebrate our last day together.

My first Marriage was held in the old barn in Olivenhein. Humm, Olivenheim is German for the home of the olives! And now my home is in Germany!

On Friday morning, the day Jennifer was to fly home, I was greeted with the same cold and hurried off to the urgent care. This is the second time I’ve been sick since 2013. It hit me hard! However, I was told it was just a cold and to “tuff it out” with over-the-counter medication. Jennifer dropped me back at my daughter’s home, and I spent the next four days horizontally locked in their camping trailer. Water and soup were kindly delivered with a knock on the door to alert me of their arrival.

So here I was, horizontal, anticipating Lutz’s arrival and our move into an Airbnb around the corner from my daughter’s home. I made it out of bed on Monday to pick Lutz up at the airport and noticed he sounded stuffy. We kept our distance and wore masks but were both horizontal by evening.

I had had enough on Friday and decided it was time for an urgent care visit. Lutz tested positive for Flu A, and I was told I had a viral flu. We received some Ibprophin and cough meds for the day and one for the night. Plus, a $500 bill for Lutz! He will have to submit that to his insurance when we are home. Once again, we were back on our backs.

I heard from friends from Tony’s Mexican Food event; several were horizontal. It appears we shared more than a lot of hugs at the dinner. Sara reported being very sick and receiving medication and antibiotics from her doctor. To date, she is still recovering. Now that I’m not contagious, I’ve spent time with my family. A trip to the park got me out of bed to watch Eva ride her new bike and lay in the sun with my grandaughters, giving me energy.

Lutz had his vertical moments and needed sea salt therapy, so we went to Point Lomas National Park for a quick breathing therapy session.

We headed to Ocean Beach for the next day’s sea salt therapy to breathe it in.

One day, we picked Eva up from school, and she spent her Christmas money on Boulder Climbing. Lutz had clasped in the car, waiting.

This little girl can climb.

We heard that my cousin’s husband, Chief Chris Gage, was on duty at the fire station a block from my daughter’s home. A short walk to visit was perfect.

Of course, a slide down the pole was in order.

Just as our tour and visit ended, the alarm sounded, and we saw them jump into action and drive off to a fire.

We hobbled to Ruby’s first hockey game; wow, she was amazing. She is on the B team, and one afternoon game, her coach placed her on the A team for the second game.

After two weeks of lying in bed and not improving, it was time for another urgent care visit for Lutz. This time, I took him to a new urgent care facility. Woo, what a treat! Finally, someone took a chest X-ray and diagnosed him with pneumonia. Plus, it was half the price. Now he has the antibiotics, penicillin, cough meds, and Ibprofin. After fifteen days, I’m moving vertically, but Lutz will take longer to recover. He was even in bed for his birthday. Jericho and Albert brought him his favorite breakfast from Jack In the Box, A sourdough, egg, and bacon sandwich. We hoped it had healing powers! Ok, well, it brightened his day.

Eva so enjoyed her bolder climbing class that she convinced Ruby

and my son, Jarrod, to try it. They loved this, and I am sure they would be sore in the morning.

So far, I am vertical for short periods of the day, and Lutz is still horizontal but has improved sleeping and less coughing. Keep sending good vibes, folks. We have a few days left before heading back across the big pond.

Take a peek at this delicious recipe and super resource. I’ll chat with you all next month when we return to Germany. Until then, keep vertical and take care of yourself. This flu is dangerous.

Fave Recipe: Mango Salsa

This Mango Salsa is so delicious and refreshing. Since I’ve been in sunny California for a while and my daughter makes the best Mexican food, this dish will complement anything she serves.

Fave Resource: Staying Healthy During Flu Season

This article has simple tips for protecting your loved ones and home from the flu. It beats being horizontal for over three weeks. I love the dryer suggestion. There are some very interesting tricks you can do right now!