The Human Broiler
My Mom? She used to make 8 grilled cheese sandwiches at the same time by putting them under the broiler. The oven door would remain open, just a few inches, so that the sandwiches could be monitored – ensuring even browning. My Granny used to do the same thing for breakfast, with open-faced hamburgers buns. The broiler would toast bread to perfection. The broiler was a secret toasting weapon.
I’m dreaming of grilled cheese. At 5:45 a.m. there is a cookie sheet of buttered sandwiches in bed with me. Dozens and dozens of sandwiches, evenly toasting at first, but then I remember that the oven door isn’t open, I haven’t been checking on their progress – they are turning to charcoal under the blankets. I am turning to charcoal…
“SWEET MOTHER OF INTERNAL THERMOSTATS!!!”
“What?!? WHAT?!?” David starts awake.
“Hot flash! HOT FLASH!!” I flap, flap, flap the blankets around me, desperate to stop the toasting. “TOO HOT!!!” My torso is seconds away from spontaneously combusting. “THIS IS HOW IT ALL ENDS!!!“
Then, my human broiler shuts off. “Oh thank God…” I have 32 seconds of comfort before my skin chills and my teeth start to chatter. The blankets back on – I now huddle next to David for warmth.
I thought I had it all figured. I know my triggers… caffeine… alcohol… if avoid them, if I only have that one glass of scotch, I’m usually fine. Wait a second! I didn’t even have scotch last night! What the hell is going on?
I think I might just have to face it. I’m 46 years old, this could just be the next stage in Peri-Menopause. Yes, I’ve been ‘flashing’ since I was 36, but my Mom, now 69, still gets the occasional flash. Upside, Heather. There has got to be an upside…
It’s autumn in Canada – won’t need to wear that light jacket outside.
My hot flashes can augment our house’s heat!! Our gas bills won’t be as high!
If I am my own ‘sweat box,’ I will be able to burn body fat with this process!
When I reach the combustion point, eggs can be cooked on my torso, which means that less electricity will be used in the home, PLUS I’ll be able to hire myself out to side shows for some extra cash and we’ll be able to pay off the mortgage just that little bit faster…
See? All I needed was a perspective shift. It’s all good.