Although I had cobbled together a plan for our anniversary it was trumped when I realized the rash on my leg was not going away without a fight. John took me to Urgent Care and there was no one in the building but staff. This boded well for a brief wait. 

"It might be Lyme's or it might be cellulitis. Either way we will start you on doxycycline." Then a friendly technician came to draw blood. I always wonder about the mechanics of a minute needle sliding into a vein without puncturing the wall on the other side. Seems unlikely. I warned her that people have trouble getting my blood, which is why I gave up donating. Too often I left the Red Cross volunteers with a big bruise and a sticker, and no red bag of AB negative behind.

The nurse seemed undaunted and started poking. But the flow stopped after one tube. She called in reinforcements. The next phlebotomist  sounded like he just got off the boat from Russia, and was not about to be made a fool of by a flattened vein. But three stabs later he apologized as he cleaned up a tray full of infectious waste.

Our anniversary dawned with friends at the door with coffee, Danish and roses. I was astonished, and soon did what one should not do three days into clean sheets... I ate pastry in bed. But it was delicious.

Later that afternoon the twins were being cagey. "Let's go on the back steps," they coaxed. Then when we got to the steps, they changed their story. "Now let's go back inside." Fevers make me docile, so I did what they asked, and when they led me back to the door there was a big bouquet of balloons, and a bag full of cards, homemade bread and jam, and a toolbox. I was flabbergasted. 

Still later our daughter arrived with an offer of dinner and a movie, and since I could not manage the energy to go out she brought it in. We seven snuggled on the couches to watch the Marx Brothers and eat gluten free pizza. Pretty sweet. Other well wishes brought watermelon and more flowers. The words "my cup runs over" came to mind. 

In the end it was a delightful day, blessed by friends and family, and the wonder of antibiotics.  And I even finished a moat. Barely.