Cat story IV

So there I was, with half my arm in plaster, some considerable pain and totally confused over the day’s events. Since then I’ve been back twice for check-ups and after the first day I refused the plaster and was only having a bandage. I also decided day two to have a tetanus shot (which I refused the first day). Somehow I thought I had a lifelong protection, but after using google I realized it was wise to have another go.

I had to take antibiotics for a week and my thumb is not 100%, still a bit swollen and not totally mobile, but it’s getting better every day. And my cats are fine J.

The culprit!

Cat story III

After my tall cat was safely back (and acted like nothing happened) I realized that my thumb was twice the size it normally is and I had a red stripe moving from my wrist up my arm. My friend who lent me the cage and apparently is much wiser than I when it comes to cat wounds, told me to go straight to the hospital. And this time I decided to listen to her. Normally I don’t go running to the doctor unless absolutely necessary.

At the ER they took it much more seriously than I did. I was rushed in there, they applied iodine, gave me an antibiotics drip, a shot to numb the thumb (rhymes!), took a biopsy, gave me a plaster and I don’t know what. I guess I was in a bit of a shock and complained over the fuss they were making.

Then a really authoritative doctor came into the room and said “it’s voluntary to be here, you can leave at any time, but you should know you could lose your hand”. Oops. I then decided it was a good time to shut up. It is seldom that happens!

Cat story II

So two days later I was preparing the cage again. My friend who was to transport her to the vet arrived a little early, and I hadn’t put the cat in there yet. She’s very shy and hides every time somebody comes into the flat, even though that particular friend comes every week. So I grabbed her from under the duvet where she was hiding and I am not sure if it was because she saw my friend or the cage, but she totally panicked. She was fighting for her life.

I would estimate it to have lasted about 20 seconds, and I managed to get her into the cage but afterwards I found six claws and a bit of a tooth on the floor. And I had about 20 bite marks and scratches on my hand, both arms and one leg. Poor darling. I was shaking so much I decided to stay home.

By the time she got back about six hours later it turned out that she didn’t need the operation at all, the bad tooth had come out in the struggle with me in the morning! So why she had to stay at the vets for six hours I still don’t know.

Cat story I

Some weeks ago I decided to take my two cats to the vet for a check-up. They have been healthy for the six years that have passed since they were castrated. It was due to the fact that I had watched too many tv-programs about vets, and they always look into the mouths of the animals they are treating. I never did, which made me feel like a bad person.

So then I did and I could see that the little one had a bad tooth in the corner of the mouth, but since the kitties have never been apart I decided to take the big one too. She’s not actually big, she’s just taller. And it’s funny, the little one weighs 4.45 kg’s and the “big” one 4.5 kg’s. 50 grams apart.

I borrowed a cage from a friend (last time they were small enough to fit into one) and surprised them both. That went fine apart from the miaowing during transportation that nearly broke my heart.

So off we went to see the same vet as six years ago. That went ok, they are used to handle all sorts of smaller pets, so even though my cats are extremely shy (especially the big one) they managed it.

The little one had such a bad tooth (oh deary me, what a bad cat-owner I am!) that it came out almost immediately when the vet fiddled about in her mouth. However, the taller cat got an appointment two days later. One of her teeth had grown abnormally long and had an infection going so she was scheduled to have it out. That’s when the problems began.

Double rainbow!

Unbelievable

It's not a good morning for most people today. It's like another Brexit. Predictions showed a clear majority for Hillary, and what does America get? A crazy powerhungry man who wants to build a wall between Mexico and US, and who doesn't believe in free trade. And he thinks that Putin is a nice guy.

Interesting times ahead. And scary.

Go Hillary

I know, the blog has been sorely ignored for a very long time. Life has just been going on and I have shared the things I used to write here with others. But I will make an attempt to get back, no promises though.

However, I just have to write about the US. First of all, I am so glad that the election will finally be held, 'cause having to read about it for more than half a year now gets boring. Seems like all media is hung-up about this election, even though it's just one country in the world. Yeah I know, it's the US but still.

From the very beginning I have had belief in the American people, that they after having made the wrong choice twice with George W now have learned their lesson. Mind you, America is full of people with low education who believes everything they hear in the media. Nevertheless, I am pretty certain that there are enough people with brains, so tomorrow we can celebrate that the world is still fairly safe.

Mind you, couldn't the Americans have found better candidates than a mad man and an old woman?

Everything is better with alcohol

Yesterday my neighbours went on holiday, and as always I have their key during their absence 'cause I look after their apartment. Just before they left they checked the mailbox and it couldn't be opened, so they called me to say that they called the police and would I be available to assist.

I wasn't yesterday, but said I would be today. Unfortunately I got only a few minutes warning before they came, so I hadn't done myself up very nicely, and isn't it typical? Two very handsome, prime examples of men in uniform showed up, and I started to sweat profusely. Sexy, huh?

They fiddled around with the key for a few minutes, sprayed the keyhole with alcohol and now the key works better than before, it was always a bit tricky with their mailbox.

So you see, alcohol makes everything better!

And a reflection, if the same thing happened to me I wouldn't immediately think of a conspiracy theory and call the police, I would've called a friend with tools. And another reflection, I feel lucky to live in a country where the police can spend time on such minor issues. Makes me feel safe.

Tooth job

This middle age thing has a lot of advantages, but there is one big negative and that is that the body goes downhill. Had to visit the dentist again today.

Last week we were happily cruising on the lake (well, at least until my friend attempted to park the boat and ended up against the poles at the opposite bridge, he shall need more lessons!) and had a bite to eat. I hade made the sandwiches myself, so I was surprised to find sand in them. Anyway, long story short I lost a filling and had to go see mr handsome again.

Turns out my tooth is no good. You know the feeling when they have taken an x-ray and the dentist and the nurse look at each other and shake their heads when they think you do not see.

This is the same tooth I had root canal done on a couple of years ago. It has developed a permanent infection underneath and the bone has become soft, and unless you take away the whole tooth and try to repair under it will never be good again.

Now, I am actually in a bit of luck since it's a tooth next to the wisdom tooth and I will probably not need to replace it if it has to come out eventually. Handsome talked about implant (4,000+ francs) and bridges (3,000+ francs), but I will choose to just have it out when the time comes.

For the moment I have a new filling, fingers crossed it'll last...

The lavender house

Last week I was invited out to dinner with a group I hardly know. Some of them I've met before, but far from all. It was nice. We were in a Mexican restaurant, and enjoyed strawberry drinks, lots of dip with guacamole, beans, sour cream and salsa, as well as fajitas with meat and shrimps. Followed by a lovely Baileys icecream.

I mingled with a gardener and I learned a lot about plants and turtles! When I described where I live he immediately knew where, "it's the lavender house"! Indeed. But I think most people know the house where I live because of my lighting, the purple windows.

Then again, lavender is purple, isn't it?

Animal life

Some weeks ago a good friend of mine had to put her cat down. Even though the cat had a good long life, 16 years, it is still unbelievably sad. Yes I know that people say that animals are not people, and indeed they are not, but they are still family members. Somebody who is there all the time, depending on you, and loving companions.

The reason I'm thinking about it, is that there is an older lady on my street, who has a dog. I see them almost every day, and she's walking with a stick very slowly, but even more slowly the dog limps along. He's a big black dog with deformed feet, and I cannot tell if he's in pain, but I would think so. Today he stopped when I passed by, I petted him on his big head and he just laid down, refusing to stand up. What can I do?

I cannot talk to the woman, the dog is probably her only companion, but I feel for the dog. It should be put down and out of his misery. I feel so helpless.

The blind cow

Yesterday I was having an almost out-of-body-experience, having dinner at the blind cow restaurant in complete darkness. It was really pitch dark in there, I couldn't even see my hand holding it in front of my face.

Me and my guest entered the dining area, walking through a black curtain, holding the waiters shoulder who effortlessly led us to our table. He was blind of course. He was very helpful guiding us to the chairs and explaining where everything was on the table.

I started to explore by feeling the rim of the table towards the other end, and was very surprised when I felt another person! I cackled nervously and kept my hands to myself the rest of the evening.

It was very interesting to eat without seeing anything at all. I had a mixed salad as a starter and identified various sorts of lettuce, an egg, some nuts, tomato and celery. At least I think that's what it was.

All around us we heard people talking and I still today have no idea what the room actually looked like. Very weird.

When the main course came in we got company, a couple sitting next to us and we had a nice conversation with them. Funny that, to talk to people and you have no idea what they look like. Turned out to be a couple, 25-years-olds, who had a lot in common with my friend. It felt good since I had invited her and I wanted her to have a nice evening.

Later, after dinner, we were again led outside by our charming waiter and were able to see each other. The guy was much smaller than I had imagined from his voice.

The main course was nothing to write home about, but I would anyway strongly recommend a visit. I think it's good to get a feeling of what it is to be blind. But a feeling is all you get, I don't think anybody who isn't blind can really understand. Nevertheless, try it!

Different kinds of intelligence

It's not like I take pleasure in watching people fail, but yesterday I had to laugh. Flatmate may be superintelligent and working with things I understand nothing of, but he's certainly not that skilled in practical matters. Such as cleaning, cooking and seeing what needs to be done.

Yesterday he came home, having done groceryshopping, and was looking up a recipe on the net. Thing was, he got most of the ingredients wrong. But seriously, I dunno how anybody can mistake iceberg salad for cabbage :).

So tonight, to be on the safe side, I am cooking.

Green and red

As mentioned before I am this year sharing my boat with two friends. So far we have had I think four sessions and it still doesn't feel safe enough to let them go on their own. And I'm not being overprotecting if that's what you think :).

Anyway, I appreciate the eco-think when they brought new cups (we always have a drink on the lake, whether it's water or wine...) and especially the starboard and larboard (port) colouring.

FYI, right is green, left is red (easy to remember, nobody wants to be a leftie!).

Testing a theory

Since I stopped working fulltime I have taken an interest in astrophysics. Just thought I'd share a presentation I did lately :).

Dating

Some time ago I again registered at the dating site I was on when I first met my, now very close, dog friend. This time however, I didn't give too many details about myself, and I kinda forgot about it all. I know that in order to get contacted a lot, you have to share more information.

However, last week I got contacted by an older man, and since I have no prejudice against age when it comes to meeting new friends, I suggested we'd meet. I am not much for talking on the phone or sending numerous emails. I prefer an irl meeting, 'cause it usually takes no more than a few minutes to decide whether the person is a candidate or not.

This one was a quite severely overweight man with heart problems. He had trouble walking uphill, and told me he was on four different medications. Besides, he was a tad negative and had a tendency to complain about things, rather than looking on the bright side of life. So after a few hours slow walk with many stops, we parted politely and probably both thought the same. Nice meeting you, but enough.

Today he sent me an email saying he understood that I wasn't looking for anything romantic, but for him sex and erotics were very important. HAHAHAHAHA! I can only imagine going to bed with a 100+ kg's man with a heart condition, thinking he could collapse any minute. Romantic! NOT!

So I wished him good luck in his future endeavours. At least he gave me a good laugh.

Update - about bloody time

Jeez, times flies. What am I doing with my time? I really couldn't say, other than it was a barbecue with friends, a visit to accompany an old dement woman while the husband was away, dinners at my place, an Ikea-visit, an old friend for lunch, at a somewhat younger friends for brunch and on the lake with the boat.

And this morning I was out doing a vitaparcours round with the dog. We passed a younger woman with her kid, and all the mother did was looking at her telephone. I cannot believe it! We, on the other hand, were enjoying the birds and a beautiful deer, standing there just looking at us.

What's this thing with a telephone? People cannot seem to live without it these days, and they forget the world around them. Poor people. They should really learn to stop and smell the roses.

Come to me

I was out walking the dog today with a friend. We passed a gardener who was working on the street, and after about 20 meters I realized the dog was way behind us, so I called her. "Come, come" I yelled and clapped my hands, and nearly doubled over when the gardener took a few steps towards me. Hahaha!

I can't help it, but I take pleasure in little things nowadays.

Helping out

Some time ago I volunteered to spend a couple of hours a week for needy people in my 'hood. I had an interview with the organization, which I think is good, even though a 15 min session isn't enough to know I have no alterior motive (which of course I don't). Nevertheless, a first impression is not to be sniffed at. And the limit is set to two hours a week, something to do with insurance I think.

Today I had a first meeting with an elderly woman. I cannot say that she was especially needy, but I guess everybody can use a bit of company now and then. And she was great. Despite the quite large age difference we spoke about everything and nothing. We were sitting at her balcony, enjoying the sunshine, sipping at Prosecco and just enjoying chitchatting. Charming!

And she had a black cat. Always a plus in my book.

Kitties have grown

Yesterday my cats were five years old! And with the years they have become more and more like me. This is exactly how I stretch in the morning.