In Search of Missing Brain Cells

Whereare my brain cells these days? They must be around here somewhere.

Youknow the ones…..that keep me from locking my keys in the car…TWICE in twoweeks!  The ones that help me to remember why I actually went to the grocerystore, and not look with confused wonder at the items in my cart, only to gethome and realize I forgot to get the one item I wanted at the market in thefirst place!

 The same brain cells thatseem to have gone on hiatus when I sit down at my computer to write.  I certainly hope they are enjoying their vacation, perhaps on alovely beach somewhere, because they are certainly not doing me much good rightnow!

Iam convinced that the doctor removed some vital brain cells when he was fixingmy knee. I know what you are thinking….brain cells in my knee? That’s not sucha stretch when you consider other body parts seem to be moving slowly downward.

Besides,I cannot think of any other plausible explanation. Before the surgery I did nothave this problem, well not as pronounced anyway, and I didn’t feel like I wasswimming through a fog just to put together a coherent thought.

Thisbrain malaise is not good news for a writer. It is difficult to get any workdone when my brain cells are missing in action. Forget multi-tasking – I amhaving difficulty with single tasking!

Perhapsa margarita – or two- might help. Not that it would help me write, but Iwouldn’t care that I wasn’t.

All that being said, I do think the knee is the realculprit. I am getting around much better, and rarely take a pain pill now, butmy mind does tend to focus on the constant discomfort. It is also a bitdistracting to have my leg still look like a train wreck.

Add to all that, I am not very graceful with the cane. Itend to be a real menace to anyone around me, and must constantly try to avoidtripping over it, which would defeat the whole purpose of using it in the firstplace!

I’m thinking of renting space on a milk carton or thoseLDS screens you watch while waiting in the grocery line: “Have you seen thiswoman’s brain cells? If found, please return them immediately – no questionsasked!”

Now, if you will excuse me, I am sure I should be doing…….something.

Cheri is a freelance writer, living in SouthernCalifornia.  She has two grown children, one in Iowa and one at ColumbiaUniversity, and is the proud grandmother of two. Cheri is also a purveyor offine coffee, warm chatter and dry wit.

You can find all of Cheri’s columns on   www.personalpolitcs.gather.com, www.ordinarydays.gather.com orwww.ccabot.gather.com.