The longest day has been and gone

I know for some people the shortest day has just happened, but here in sunny Oz the longest day was yesterday, December 21st, at 11 minutes past five in the afternoon.  Days will now start to shorten imperceptibly, only by five seconds at first then more rapidly, but it will probably be a few weeks before we notice much difference.    Unfortunately the current heat wave will be with us for a couple more days, but hopefully it might be a little cooler for Christmas because sleeping is not easy in this heat, especially while wearing a sling.  Oh, to be able to curl up on my side again.......

To get us all in the festive mood here are a couple of Christmas wombats with their tree, it's not a pine tree but it's still green!  Aventurine leaves on a bloodstone base; it and the wombats are gifts from previous Christmases.  If I had the use of both arms I would take some pics of our decorations, but that will have to wait until next year.  How is your countdown to Christmas coming along?

The specialist is pleased with the range of movement in my shoulder, apparently it is where it should be at this point, and is very slowly gaining strength although I can't lift my arm very high at all.  This means my hair has to stay down for the time being because putting it up is completely impossible, totally out of the question, and I refuse to cut it.  I like to wear my hair up, and am not yet ready for The Chop.  On Friday the physiotherapist said not to even think of playing uke just yet, pity about that......I had been hoping for a plink or two over the festive season......the uke group has a gig in next month's big country music festival so I need to be able to play for that.  One song, only two chords......I can do it......my arm might fall off afterwards, but it will be done.

Christmas programs are everywhere on TV right now too, some are fun and many are abysmal.  Why do so many performers sing Christmas carols as though they are pop songs?  Most Christmas concerts feature hip young things singing old carols in the style of their latest (probably their only) hit.  And what's with the hand-held microphones?  Surely in this day and age a headset mike gives the audience (these concerts are live) a better view of the performers than having the bottom half of their faces obscured by a microphone.  And who chooses the songs?  Warbling about chestnuts and open fires and winter wonderlands is ridiculous in Australia's summer heat.  Many years ago two Australian composers wrote some lovely songs which are much more relevant to our Christmas, it would be nice to hear them instead of songs about non-existent snow.

When I rule the world things will be different......

"Walking with a lady acquaintance.
A gentleman should not join a lady acquaintance on the street for the purpose of walking with her, unless he ascertains that his company would be perfectly agreeable to her.  It might be otherwise, and she should frankly say so, if asked."

While I don't know about all of you, I suspect that given the age and matrimonial status of most of us this is quite unlikely to happen.

Enjoy your days!

And another week passes.......

........with not much happening here at La Chateau des Wombats.  Binky is not only back to her normal self, she has been behaving like a much younger kitty again.  Bianca, meanwhile, just sits back and watches.

 Her right eye is blue, her left eye is green - the blue eye sometimes shows up as the evil eye, and she is  definitely not human.

This is just to make us feel a little cooler as summer is now well and truly here, it was much cooler in rainy and misty Temiskaming.  There is nothing quite like wearing a black synthetic fabric sling close to one's body on a hot day, you know.

The shoulder has its good days and its not so good days, and occasionally it has a bad day, but no doubt it's progressing.  I don't have a little window in my skin to be able to see what's happening in there.  Tomorrow the shoulder will be taken to see the specialist, so we'll see what he says.  Hopefully the sling can come off in a couple of weeks and that will be a great relief, because it presses on a rib and causes discomfort bordering on pain.

The daily walk has been suspended for the interim on the orders of the specialist, the GP, the physiotherapist and the chiropractor, because it would not be a good idea to trip and fall.  The walk back up the hill had become very slightly easier so some of that progress will be lost when it resumes.  It's never been my favourite part of the day anyway, and it would be so easy to just not start again.......but one mustn't think like that, should one.......one should jump out of bed at the crack of dawn to greet the new day while pulling on one's walking shoes, shouldn't one......even if one has never in one's life been a morning person.

Did you know that there is a Colour Of The Year?  It is announced annually (now there's a surprise), and the colour for 2013 was Emerald, my birthstone and a very nice colour.  (Have I ever mentioned that I am quite fond of green?)  However, you will need your sunnies on for the 2014 colour, Radiant Orchid.  Not being a pink or purple person and definitely not being a fuschia person I will pass on that, thank you very much.  Hopefully the following year will be less in-your-face.

"Harmony of colors in dress.
The various shades of purple and lilac, dark blues and dark greens, lose much of their brilliancy by gaslight, while orange, scarlet, crimson, the light browns and light greens, gain brilliancy by a strong artificial light."

While bright colours were popular in Victorian times, particularly after aniline dyes were discovered, I wonder what our foremothers would have thought of Radiant Orchid?

Enjoy your days!

We are both doing well

That is, Binky and I are both doing well.  Since starting on antibiotics for her infection she has become a new cat:  back to her old self, talking our heads off and bouncing round again like a much younger kitty.  We are quite relieved, as we were starting to imagine a sadder scenario.

Here she is in her younger days, when we lived in the Big Smoke:

This jacaranda tree was in our back yard, and Binky really liked climbing it - probably to keep an eye out for neighbourhood mice, because she was a very good mouser in her youth.

Apparently my shoulder is progressing as it should be, according to the physiotherapist on our weekly visit on Friday.  Thank goodness Anna will be back from her honeymoon and I can see her this Friday instead.  I don't like being patronised by younger blokes, and being called "lass" by someone young enough to be my child sets my teeth on edge.  I don't expect "madam", but Mrs Last Name or Jennifer would be much better.  No doubt he's a good physiotherapist, but he doesn't have a good manner when one is a female Olde Pharte - or perhaps some old dears don't mind.  I do.

One thing he told me was that these operations aren't always successful and the stitched-together tear can come apart fairly soon.  I don't recall the specialist saying this, or perhaps he did and I have forgotten.  It has made me ultra-cautious about doing anything at all with that arm now.  At least the physiotherapist did say that this particular specialist has a very high success rate, something to be thankful for - because I don't think I could do it again.  Yesterday the arm and shoulder were so sore and aching that I don't know how I made it through the day, while today there is almost no pain and I don't know why!  Even the swelling in my upper arm seems to have gone down.  I am hoping that is a good sign and not an indication of something more ominous.  Ah well, it will either get better or fall off, won't it?

I can say, though, that I will pleased when the sling no longer has to worn in bed, because I have never slept well on my back.

On to happier things.

Had a fun time last week at the Thursday night choir Christmas party......held, strangely enough, on Thursday night!  We are looking forward to resuming after our December/January break.  Tomorrow night is the annual meeting of the Monday night choir, I will attend but have pretty much decided that I won't be back next year.  I have realised I don't fit into their mould; I don't attend church, and singing religious songs isn't the be all and end all in my life, as it for the director.  While I don't dislike her I don't think I can cope with her choice of music for much longer, and she seems to have the final say (the only say, from what I have gathered) in the choice of choir material.  I told a couple of members that I may not be back next year and they were quite concerned.  We shall see what tomorrow night brings; I won't burn any bridges, but there's no point in flogging a dead horse, is there?  Nothing like a good cliché!

"Education of girls too superficial.
The school instruction of our girls is too superficial.  There is a smattering of too many branches, where two or three, systematically studied and thoroughly mastered, would accomplish much more for them in the way of a sound mental training, which is the real object of education."

I wish my parents had felt that way.  Perhaps I would have gone on to finish high school, if they had.

Enjoy your days!

Thank you from Binky!

I would like to thank you all for your good wishes, and to let you know that the vet has given me some medication for (ahem) a urinary tract infection, a matter which we won't mention in polite company, which means I will soon be jumping out of my skin and chasing a ball round the house again!  I may be old, but I'm not yet ready for that walk across the Rainbow Bridge.

And from me:  thank you, friends, for your concern about Binky.  Give her a couple of days, and she will be fine again.

Progress

Slowly making progress!  My shoulder is being very good about doing its daily exercises, and although it is a little stiff (as one would expect after not being used for nearly two weeks, and having surgery into the bargain) it's not doing too badly.  The surgical stockings are a thing of the past, the sore throat has healed and proper food is very enjoyable again after a diet of soup and yoghurt.

Here's something much nicer to contemplate, the Clarence River - we stayed here for a couple of nights on our recent holiday.  The wharf would have been a pleasant place to sit and ponder on the state of the world, but while we were staying here a storm blew up with strong wind and heavy rain.....so we stayed in our little van, which you can't see here.

 The Clarence River is very wide towards its mouth - it's known locally as "the big river".

It has been known to flood, and must be an awesome sight when it does.

The one-handed life doesn't have a lot to recommend it, so thank goodness it's only temporary.  Everyday living is slightly more difficult than usual, but the hardest thing is to towel oneself dry after the morning shower; the left arm keeps wanting to join in, even though it shouldn't.  The dressings are off the holes on my shoulder, in fact the hole on my back has already healed.  Not so many years ago, before keyhole surgery became the thing, an operation such as this would have meant an incision in the shoulder as well as the internal work - and that would have meant a longer period of healing.  Now, although some fairly major work was apparently done in there, my shoulder only has four holes and one of them is healed.  Isn't medical science amazing?

We are concerned about our old puss, Binky is going on for 17 and of late has been very quiet, she's been off her food, and isn't her usual bright happy self.  We will take her to the vet this week, but are steeling ourselves for the fact that most of her nine lives may by used up.  She has always been a talkative cat but she is not even talking much now.  We know she won't live forever, but she will be missed.....of all the cats we have had in our lives for the past nearly 40 years, she has been "Miss Personality".

No sewing to report, no knitting, nothing.  Not one note plinked on uke or guitar.  Some books read, none of them memorable but just the same, it's an easy way to pass the time.  A few crossword puzzles have been done.  Christmas parties will soon be starting up (last weekend the quilt group party had to be missed because I felt so blah, and because I couldn't eat anyway) so they will be something to look forward to.  Might start putting up decorations soon, although it will be a two-person job this year.  Isn't is usually the woman who gets to do these things in most households?  Ours is no different, you know.

"Preserving a youthful complexion.
The following rules may be given for the preservation of a youthful complexion.  Rise early and go to bed early.  Take plenty of exercise.  Use plenty of cold water and good soap frequently.  Be moderate in eating and drinking.  Do not lace.  Avoid as much as possible the vitiated atmosphere of crowded assemblies.  Shun cosmetics and washes for the skin.  The latter dry the skin, and only defeat the end they are supposed to have in view."

Probably as good advice now, as when it was given in 1885.....although I do not know any woman these days who wears a tightly laced corset.

Enjoy your days!

Recovering

Thank you to those who have written with good wishes, it is very kind of you and much appreciated.

The trip to Sydney was uneventful, if you count a six hour drive much of which was in pouring rain uneventful.  However we arrived safely, and as instructed I presented myself to the hospital the following morning, was poked, prodded, tested and jabbed......all quite undignified, you know.....duly put to sleep and operated on.  The specialist told Kevin all went well, and I will be seeing him (the specialist, not Kevin......I see him much of the time) tomorrow to find out for myself.

The shoulder hasn't given much trouble since although it is making its presence felt today (thank goodness for industrial strength painkillers) but oh my, I woke up with such a sore throat which has persisted since, so much so that eating anything with lumps is so painful as to be impossible.  Liquids such as soup and yoghurt are about all I can manage.  Did you know that, while you are under anaesthetic, a breathing tube is passed down your throat but most people never know it once they wake up?  For some folks, however, it leaves a very sore throat which a nurse assured me would be better in 24 hours.  That was on Tuesday afternoon.......it is now Sunday afternoon......I am still waiting.......

The piece de resistance, however, is the tight white surgical compression stockings which are to be worn until I see the specialist tomorrow at midday.  They are apparently to prevent blood clots and are so unattractive that I cannot bring myself to go out in public wearing them, and except for a couple of medical appointments on Friday afternoon, have not done so.  Tomorrow's appointment will be kept wearing long pants to cover most of the stockings, and it won't bother me if it is steaming hot.  I have my standards, you know.  The black sling is bad enough:  picture, if you will, a sling with a wide waist strap, and a wide shoulder strap, and the cradle for the arm held away from the body with a wide pad which stands out from one's waist far enough that one cannot see one's feet - hence, walking is slightly difficult, so the morning walk is suspended until further notice.  One doesn't wish to take a tumble on the hill.  Poor Bianca The White Cat had a paw accidentally stepped on the other night because I just couldn't see her.

Physiotherapy started on Friday afternoon and the therapist was pleased with my shoulder, so here's hoping for a quick recovery.  I have even found out that washing long hair one-handed is possible too.

So, six weeks in the sling (with time off for good behaviour, and to stretch the rest of the arm and elbow daily) means, in that time, no sewing, knitting or crocheting, no ukulele playing, (sad), no housework (oh dear).  Fortunately I can read and do crosswords and watch TV and......well......that's about it, really.  All slightly boring.  I will post occasionally so you all know I haven't dropped off the earth, unexciting though those posts may be at times.

"Never, directly or indirectly, refer to the affairs of others, which it may give them pain in any degree to recall."

Indeed.  That includes subjects like operations on parts of one's person, because now it's done I would rather put the pain behind me.

Enjoy your days!

Thunder, lightning, heavy rain.......and even hail!

That's what we had yesterday afternoon.  Lots and lots of heavy rain, 23 mls (that's nearly an inch in old money) in half an hour, and of course when the hail melted it added to the moisture for the garden.  We had some shredded leaves knocked off the we-think-it's-an-apricot tree, as you can see.....but very little other garden damage, and no house damage.

 Lots of wet white stuff, but it isn't snow.  We don't get snow here.

 The wind was blowing cold, it blew the hail against the edge of the garden.

 Although you can't quite see, the grass on the other side of our fence was awash.

This is on the sheltered side of the house.

Despite the storms the rain was very welcome, and looking at the weather radar there is a chance we may get more storms this afternoon......so long as it brings more rain!

Tomorrow we are driving to the Big Smoke, and in two days I will be hopefully pumped full of happy juice because there is no way I am letting any medical people near me otherwise; I don't like having Things done to me.  In three days it will all be over, and on Thursday we are driving home.

There is no way on this earth that the skirt for the wedding will be finished before tomorrow either.  The centre back seam is sewn, and to finish off the edges of both the seam and the opening above it (the zipper is in the lining so an opening is left in the skirt) I am sewing a hand-rolled hem.  It is not difficult, just a little fiddly, and the first side went very well.  The second side.......ah, that's a different story.  The hem was rolled the wrong way so that it was on the outside rather than the inside, and it is having to be re-done.  I know what I did wrong and have learnt my lesson, but as I am leaving for the radio station in less than an hour there is every chance it may not be finished tonight, it will depend on how tired my eyes are after dinner.  I did want to have that much finished before the trip to hospital, because I don't know how long it will be before I can sew again.  A shoulder operation requires the wearing of a sling for several weeks afterward with limited use of the arm in that time - fortunately it's my left arm, and I'm right-handed.

Ah well.  We can only do what we can do, can't we.  So long as it is finished in time for the wedding, because the very thought of the groom's mother in a state of undress is not something we will consider even for a moment.

However if half of me is incapacitated then I won't be able to do much housework, will I?  Oh dear, what a shame......

"Breaking an appointment.
Do not break an appointment with a business man, if possible to avoid it, for if you do, the party with whom you made it may have reason to think that you are not a man of your word, and it may also cause him great annoyance, and loss of time.  If, however, it becomes absolutely necessary to do so, you should inform him beforehand, either by a note or by a special messenger, giving reasons for its non-fulfilment."

These days we would send a text message or an email.

Enjoy your days!