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!