Men and Women

Fule for Thought

 

There seem to be a lot of differences between men and women, but one of the ones that comes to mind is our reactions to pain and sickness. I’ve always been told that when women are sick, they’re still able to function and get chores/work done. That does match up with my experience, as when I’m sick, I tend to find the darkest room in the house, shut myself away, and expect medicines/soup, to be delivered regularly!

Last night I had a really sore neck. You’ve read that I’ve been hitting the weights and treadmill, so I think I may have overdone it (of course for me, actually doing ANYTHING would have been overdoing it!).   

However, the big problem was that I was too lazy to go down to the kitchen to get something to take. This made me also wonder why so many of us keep medicines in the cupboard above the stove. Where do we learn to do this, and why? Anyway, here I was in pain, too lazy to go downstairs, so I thought I’d check the master bathroom.  

There, searching through all the creams, polishes, files, bondo (autobody stuff!) … I saw it. It was almost bathed in a glow (due to my incredible pain) … I had hit the motherload of pain killers (men … this is going to shock a little). I found it, and I’m not ashamed to say it, I popped a Midol! I have to say, it’s amazing stuff … within minutes, the neck pain had subsided, and I was able to relax. However, I do have to admit I may have “felt” a little different. I may have cried myself to sleep, and I was sure Debbie tried to make a move on me. Doesn’t she realize that sometimes we men just want to be held?

As I was dozing off, it made me wonder how tough women also are. I mean they’re the ones who, when pregnant have to go through all sorts of twinges, pains and sickness. If it was ME who had to be pregnant, I would stop at one child … seeing a video of childbirth would convince me of that! Also, the pain of labour looks pretty bad. I’m pretty sure I’d be like Elvis and ask for all kinds of painkillers … I’d have my own trailer-pharmacy like him RIGHT in my backyard! In fact, I’d probably try to find a Costco that deals only with painkillers!

Anyway, back to the Midol (and guys, seriously … good stuff … takes away the pain, the side effects may be worth it!) I slept all night, or I thought I did, because this morning Deb noticed her cabinet for nail polishes was left open! 

Now, I don’t remember looking through any nail polishes, but when she showed me the open door, I wondered (I also noticed she had some lovely shades) … whoa … maybe there are problems with my strategy from last night! I do have to admit, the Midol worked like a charm, but I do have the urge to get “Fried Green Tomatoes” or “Thelma and Louise” on Netflix!

 

(“Fule for Thought” is a slice of life humourous column that will appear in the Strathmore Times, written by long-time resident, town councillor, high school teacher, coach, husband and father of two – Pat Fule. If you would like to get in touch with Pat, you can send him an e-mail at Pat.fule@shaw.ca)