Reading: Finished Ladder of Years. As I said to Colleen in an email conversation about Anne Tyler, there is something so appealing about the idea of just walking away from everything. I know I've fantasized about it. But as Tyler shows, even Delia can't break all ties, nor can she prevent new attachments from forming. It's just human nature. I find that reassuring.

Background courtesy of
Ace of Space

To Lie or Not

Countdown to our vacation: Less than two days! If we manage to get everything packed and ready to go, that is. Tab is feeling the stress and is already making dire predictions about whether he'll be able to finish everything in time.

To make matters worse, he's suffering from what seems like a urinary tract infection. We switched health plans earlier this year, so Tab now has a new doctor whom he has never yet seen. He tried to make an appointment with this doctor this week, but since he is a new patient, the doctor won't be able to see him until September 2.

Tab wants me to call my doctor and tell her my UTI is back and ask her to call in a prescription for an antibiotic that he can take. I don't want to do this. I have a good relationship with my doctor, and I don't want to lie to her. On the other hand, I know how painful a UTI can be. A ten-hour car trip to Maine with three small boys will be stressful enough without the added complication of a bladder infection.

What makes me particularly angry about the situation is that I'd been begging (okay, nagging) Tab for months to set up an appointment for a physical. He is over 40, and he hasn't seen a doctor for several years. He never got around to it, and now he's facing the consequences of his inaction by not being able to get a quick appointment when he needs it. And I have to decide whether or not I should lie to my doctor because of his negligence.

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