[Tax-chick]

On a previous occasion when I had this gripa, I dosed myself with hot broth and brandy and sang a Christmas Eve service. I blew out my voice and couldn't talk for four days. I had a sign that said, "Stop talking to me. I'm not going to respond!" It didn't work very well. Tom is translating my gestures for the others. "She wants you to brush your teeth." "Get out of her seat." "Take Kathleen upstairs and change her diaper."

[Monkey Face]

YAY, Tom!

You could probably use a Hot Toddy, right about now, with the emphasis on “Toddy.” The only time I wish I drank whiskey is when I come down with a really ugly chest cold.

Now, of course, with pulmonary fibrosis, I’ll be praying that no colds of any kind come my way, because even a head cold will migrate on me, and I don’t want my lungs abused.

[NicknamedBob]

I blew out my voice and couldn't talk for four days. I had a sign that said, "Stop talking to me. I'm not going to respond!" It didn't work very well.

There's a scene in (Roald Dahl's) "Matilda" in which Miss Honey sees that Matilda's seat is empty. She pantomimes to another student (Where's Matilda) and gets the pantomime response (In the Chokey!)

When the Trunchbull asks her a question, she only responds with a nod, and exits the room. This arouses the Trunchbull's suspicion, but the significance is that Miss Honey has stayed in the non-verbal communication mode for the scene. It's interesting, and it plays in my head when someone is voiceless.