Thursday 7 January 2010

Snow white and the mean reds

It's cold outside -- well below zero, and the snow on the ground has frozen into an icy mask -- and I am feeling anxious (I'm waiting for my younger son to fly home from New York tomorrow, and I wish he was here, home safely). My mind has been lurching all over the place, and in between pacing, I've remembered the bit from Breakfast at Tiffany's, when Holly Golightly explains about the mean reds. They're not the same as the blues, she says:
'No, the blues are because you're getting fat or maybe it's been raining too long. You're sad, that's all. But the mean reds are horrible. You're afraid and you sweat like hell, but you don't know what you're afraid of. Except something bad is going to happen, only you don't know what it is...'

I'm not sweating -- it's much too chilly, even with the heating on -- and I think perhaps I've got a touch of the dark blues, rather than the mean reds.
And no chocolate in the house, nor any Horlicks. Tonight I need Horlicks in bed, not Breakfast at Tiffany's.

10 comments:

GlassCurls said...

Sounds like you might be coming down with a cold to go along with your anxiety over your son. He'll be back soon, safe and sound, it just might take him a bit longer with the snow and ice.

If it's not too treacherous outside, go and stock up on chocolate and horlicks and then cocoon yourself in your house. Nothing quite like being wrapped up, reading a good book (Invitation to the Waltz or I Capture the Castle might take your mind off the mean reds and dark blues) and a cup of something hot by your side.

Feel better soon!

Lilacs said...

I am sure as soon as your son is home safe and sound the cloud of blue will start to lift. In the meantime I'm with Oxford Reader get your hands on some chocolate, I remember you saying you liked Prestat, here's a link; http://www.prestat.co.uk They deliver!

I am reading The Other Hand, it is a truly horrifying read, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you need to be made to feel lucky. My feel good read is always Pride and Prejudice.

If you need a feel good movie my favorite is Moonstruck, from the 80's. With Cher, and a fit Nicholas cage (remember that?!)

In the meantime wrap up warm and know that the thaw will come, and it will come with colours different to the ones we see now. Sending love.

enid said...

I hope your son lands soon and that you are wrapped up warm with hot chocolate an a good read -what about a Simenon detective novel ?
Cocoon yourself and pamper yourself.

Young at Heart said...

ohmigod....I think I have the mean reds, I just want to stay under the duvet and eat Chunky Kitkats....mean reds or menopausal? Hell what's the difference.....I think I need to see the sea (and palm trees!!)

lillyanne said...

I think being discombobulated about one thing often leads to a general feeling of anomie spreading through your heart like a stain. Like mould. So I agree; when your lad's home you'll come right.

Justine Picardie said...

Mould -- that's what it feels like -- combined with a sort of hot, spreading rash, as well. My son's plane was cancelled this morning (thank you, BA), and no flights available on BA for another TWO DAYS, so hoping and praying that he will be home safely tomorrow morning on Virgin Atlantic.
Meanwhile... Horlicks.
Thanks for everyone's messages. They really do help...
x

kairu said...

Hope your son will be home soon, safe and sound. I hope you are able to have some Horlicks to chase away those mean reds (or dark blues). Would bring you chocolates if you lived around the corner instead of halfway around the world...

Knitting Out Loud said...

Flying is dreadful these days. Canceled! Two days! Yes, you'll feel better when he's back home. I have loved Breakfast at Tiffany's since I was a teenager, and once, in my twenties, when I had been out all night on the town with friends, walked at dawn in heels from the village to Tiffany's in order to have breakfast looking in the windows, only to discover that solid steel doors firmly cover them at night.
I hope you feel better Justine. To the good book I always add a flannel covered down comforter and a hot water bottle.
What is Horlicks?

amanda Mitchison said...

I hope your son gets back okay. Last time i saw him he was a tiny little thing. Happy New Year to you all
best wishes amanda mitchison

Justine Picardie said...

Amanda, how lovely to hear from you! And guess what, he left me again, just like before...