I’m better still, today, Stilly; the redness is gone, the desiccated top layer of skin has begun to slough off, and the Hoover-look jowls are shrinking. I take a digestive probiotic supplement every day, so I don’t expect gut problems, but who knows what else a wide-spectrum antibiotic will upset.

Today I’m at home waiting for FedEx to deliver my new iPhone; the bastards give themselves a 12-hour time window and to hell with any plans I might have had. I could, of course, improve the shining hour with a little light house-cleaning — or not. There’s a lovely breeze across the porch …