The Sick-Abed Blues

The April 1948 issue of Woman's Home Companion has a pictorial detailing a day in the life of a young sick-abed. Not a sycophant. A sick-abed. Italicized text is the original caption.


When she loses herself like this in contemplation of a gaudy elephant, you know she's on the mend. Soft stuffed toys are ideal for they're quite safe in bed. [Like daughter, like doll! Both have the bug eyes and Clara Bow mouth; Mother disguises horror with encouraging smile?]


Fine time to learn a new skill. Here Robin practices braiding; doll rests on table made from box covered with oilcloth. Note newspaper 'pocket' tacked to the side. [The yarn-headed doll shares the same big eyed and lipped features from the previous activity! Possibly everything this kid owns has Boop eyes!]


Same box table is fine for paper work. Robin's materials include paper, blunt scissors, crayons, paste. With 'spilly' toys like paste or paint, old shower curtain is fine for protecting bedclothes. [Space ship? Death Star? What do you think?]


Food, though simple, takes account of Robin's taste. Here a circus tent on cereal, folded-napkin hat on milk stimulate appetite. [I know circus tents stimulate my appetite. It looks like Robin hasn't eaten in a week!]


Special sick-abed treat--nail polish just the same as Mother's is applied while Robin watches, breathless and absorbed. [That's just the fumes, which are therapeutic for the sick-abed.]


When Robin is stronger plastic balloons are fun; Mother doesn't let her blow too hard.


Change of scene is like a tonic to a convalescent child. Mrs. Barry totes Robin piggy-back to the living-room couch. [The sick-abed takes to the sky.]

Next time you have to care for a sick-abed, don't let them rely on their electronics for entertainment. Their day will fly by and so will yours!