The cure for the common cold?

I am a believer!

Last month I came down with a doozy of a cold - shortly after son number one. It was recommended to me by someone who had a doctor recommend it to them.... to use home made nasal spray. I googled a recipe and found this: http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/how-to-make-your-own-saline-nose-wash/

The Neti Pot idea does not appeal, but a spray? Why not? I didn't have a proper nasal sprayer, so used a (well washed) spray bottle from my lens cleaner. A little awkward, but it worked.

The cold was still nasty, but it did seem to phase out pretty quickly after I started using the spray.

This was really much more convenient than my previous sure cure, "tear therapy", which required spending an entire day reading the saddest book I could find and resulted in puffy red eyes and a drippy (but not stuffy) nose.  The spray dripping down the back of the throat really does taste like tears, so I'm sure it works the same way.

A week or so ago son number one woke up all stuffed up. He'd had a sore throat for a few days he said, and now was coughing, etc. Here we go again! Sure enough, a few days later I had that scratchy, sore throat feeling. :-(

But I mixed up a new batch of the nasal spray and started using it right away, several times a day. I also gargled some - I always do that to try to wash out some of the nasty bugs when I am sick, and I think it helps. But THIS time... I had the sore throat for about four days, and a bit of swelling of the lymph nodes, but my nose never stuffed up at all, and today I feel completely well. Son number one is still coughing. Next time I'll chase him with the spray bottle before he so kindly shares!

A Cello Lesson from Brinton Smith

Brinton Smith, principal cellist for the Houston Symphony and associate professor of cello at Rice University has written an excellent article titled "Common Themes" in this month's ASTA magazine Cello Forum. "Bits of hopefully practical advice my students are tired of hearing." He has shared the article on the Internet Cello Society forums HERE. A very worthwhile read for any cello teacher or student.