Eternal Refuge

November is certainly living up to it's reputation ... damp, grey, bleak ... just generally yukky!

I actually am going to hobble into work later as I want to drop a small gift off to my colleague. She has had eye surgery, and starts back again tomorrow. She had a "food parcel" delivered to me the day after I came back from the hospital. Which was amazingly thoughtful, although ironically I couldn't actually eat much of it, as I am allergic to butter. So I just wanted to get her something as a "welcome back" gift ... a few pamper items, is what I chose.

While at the hospital I shall go and see the volunteer who is receiving long-term hospital care. There's a probability he will be transferred to Salisbury for rehab, so although it will be better for him, it's still hard as all his friends live this way.

I will be wearing the splint to do this, as it's a lot of walking. However around the house I am hobbling around with a "naked" leg!!

Now I want to get on with some icons so will get on. As ever -





12. Are there any natural red heads in your family?
Not that I know of.




Right, let's see what you are doing? Catch up with you all.

I had a lazy start to the day, but had done my Bible reading, and had breakfast in time for me to remember the 2 minutes silence. When I was a kid the 11th was not really remembered, just the Sunday nearest the date ... so it is good that both days get the focus now.

I enjoyed watching the service/ceremony at The Cenotaph on Sunday. Although I was missing being there ... missing the atmosphere. However when you are there you don't get to see the wreaths being laid, so it was good to be reminded what happens during the silent moments with the King, politicians etc. The advantage of being at home meant I also got to see the Festival of Remembrance on the Saturday evening. Yes, the atmosphere is special at these events, but there are advantages to being able to see everything on the TV. Also on the Sunday there were interviews with some of the WWII veterans ... one of whom landed at the Sheilt Estuary, that is a lesser known battlefield, but one that I have visited. So certainly a good weekend overall.

In facet Saturday had started out even better as the weather was perfect, and Brenda drove down to Exeter ... we caught a bus and walked through these gardens, before goinginto the museum. Being colourblind means I miss a lot of Autumn, but red is one colour I can see ... so amazing scenery






( Enjoy the stroll )
Right, I want to sort out the photos from the museum ... and I can then update you on my hospital appointment, but wanted to get this posted.

Will do the questions in that post, as well

See you soon x
#

I do love Exeter Museum ... to say that there is an eclectic mixture within the building is so, so true.  As you know, I love giraffes, well here is Gerald & and Elephant, which go together ... but the other large item on the display ... a harpsichord.  I suppose it does make you take in what you are seeing as it's hard to know what you will see next!!




Mini Dress 1969

Inside the tomb of Pairy, 3,400 years old, Thebes
( Enjoy the Royal Albert Museum )

The Fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason & plot. Than that's all I know of the poem, which was written in about 1870. and is here -
( The story of the day in poetry )

For those who are not English, Guy Fawkes is also the only man who got into Parliament for a clear reason!! Even if it was only to blow the place up ... 1605, was the year and 420 years later there are still multiple Faireworks parties, as we remember Guy Fawkes Night

Anyway, to backtrack - yesterday was good. It was slow going round the museum, but nice to see some of the displays, get some lunch, spend time with a friend ... and feel "normal" after a month of just feeling disabled. This morning I walked down to the shop and bought some things ... trouble is having to only buy enough for the backpack ... but again, it is good to feel normal again.

As it turns out, today, I should have been travelling to London for my annual holiday ... so feels wrong to be here! However it gave me the oppertunity to get my set of icons completed ... thy will be posted soon.

So, I need to sort out those, and the photos that I took yesterday, and post them.

So, before I do that -




4. Have you ever received a birthday present that was just perfect for you? What was it?
Quiet a few over the years.
The family know I love jigsaws, and jewellery … and often get those as gifts. One of the last gifts Mum & Dad bought me that was a surprise was for my 50th birthday … a ring, with a sapphire cross on it, and a verse of the Bible in the shank. So, yes, some very special gifts over the years.

5. Monopoly went on sale for the first time on this day in 1935. Have you ever played it?
Both brothers loved the game … so over the years I got to play it quite a lot. I never enjoyed the long-term planning, so a simple game was fun … but not long-term strategies.




Right, I shall sort and post some more in a moment.

I hadn't remembered that I was a bit behind anyway. So have a month to go ....



30. Have you ever owned an electric blanket?
As a kid, of course. However I don't actually like a hot bed! So although I have lots of blankets, none are electric.

1. It’s National Cookbook Month – do you own many cookbooks, or do you rely on the internet for recipe ideas?
Loads ... and then I inherited Mum's ... so even more than loads (if that's possible!)

2. Have you ever made chilli (with meat or vegetarian)? Even if you haven’t, what do you like to have alongside chilli as part of the meal?
Don't like Chilli

3. Do you have well-organised kitchen storage?
Umm - sort of!!

4. In 1957, Russia launched their Sputnik satellite. Do you receive your TV or broadband via a satellite, through cable, or via an aerial?
Aerial

5. What’s the temperature today where you live? Is it warmer or cooler than average?
Warmer (today in November as I type this)

6. Jenny Lind, the Swedish opera singer (the Swedish Nightingale), was born today in 1820. Operatic arias are often used in advertisements (e.g. the airline company British Airways used an adaptation of the "Flower Duet" from the opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes), do you recall any ads using opera arias?
Nothing that I can remember.

7. Do you often wear scarves? Draped around your neck or tied artistically?
Winter scarves ... summer often the scarf/shawls

8. If you didn’t have access to a car, could you get around easily where you live?
I have a car - but rarely need it

9. Did you ever have one of those ‘magic’ painting books where you used water on the paper to bring out the colours when you were small?
Oh they were really brilliant

10. It’s World Porridge (oatmeal) Day! Are you a fan?
About once or twice a year I am happy to have some

11. Do you own/use a food processor or blender?
A large mixer

12. Do you like doing puzzles (crosswords, wordle, sudoku or something else)? Do you do something that tests your brain every day?
I have a monthly crossword puzzle book, do on-line Scrabble every day, etc, etc

13. Are there things you ate as a child that you would never eat now?
Mum made us eat liver ... I hated it then, and haven't had it since

14. It’s Ada Lovelace Day - daughter of the poet Lord Byron, she worked with Charles Babbage to create the ‘Analytical Engine’. This is considered to be the first computer and she is considered the first computer programmer. Have you ever learned any computer code such as html to create programs?
Not to creat programmes, but can change font colour, size etc with coding.

15. Have you ever owned a leather coat or jacket? Do you still have it?
Had a leather jacket for years, that I did love

16. Do you own many things that need to be recharged rather than having a battery you change when it’s stopped working?
Phone, Kindle, Camera

17. Have you ever bought something via the Internet and regretted it?
Not that I can remember - but, there again, I don't buy much

18. The definition of an antique is something that is 100 years old – do you own anything that old?
Loads of stuff

19. Are you wearing any finger rings today?
I have 11 on 9 fingers/thumbs.
I love jewellery.

20. When was the last time it rained where you live? Has it been drier than normal for this time of year?
Yesterday

21. Do you own a wine rack? What do you keep in it?
No

22. What size is the smallest decorative ornament in your home?
Minute ... I have a pen-knife that is about the size of 2 (garden) peas, in lenght

23. How do you dry your laundry? Indoors, outside or in a drier?
Outside, whenever possible

24. Do you own a calculator, or do you rely on your mental arithmetic skills?
Either - depends on the sum needed

25. Have you ever had surgery?
Repair of my right retina, in 1988 (I have silicon clips in the eye)

26. Do you have a go-to ‘comfort’ novel you will return to again and again? Or do you prefer reading new fiction instead? Do you often reread books?
Some books I read so often ... And a few of my fan-fics I read at least every year.

27. What is your favourite thing to walk on with bare feet or do you hate walking barefoot?
I love being barefoot, but I wear a heel lift on one leg, so can't actually spend too much time like that.

28. The American costume designer Edith Head was born today in 1879. She won eight Oscars for her work, and her last one was for her work on Paul Newman/Robert Redford’s film The Sting. Have you seen it?
Years ago
I love her work.

29. What kind of toothbrush do you own?
Manual, firm bristles

30. Can you click your fingers (and are you doing it now – LOL)?
Yes ... and, of course, who didn't when they read the question!





Right I am back up to date!!

Last time I posted I was getting back into regular posts here again after work had taken over.  Now, it's about a month on, and I am getting my first chance to return her.  I know there are some unanswered comments, but I would feel a fool replying to "history" ... however if you did give me a vital question, please re-send it.

Anyway ....

Over 3 weeks ago, now, I went to the dentist and as I was walking back to the bus-stop ready to head home and get on with the day, my right calf felf quite achy.  No worries ... by the time I was on the bus, the calf was throbbing, and I ended up hobbling back home.  As I was home I realised the leg was super sore, so decided I would get it checked out at the emergency department on my way to work.  So I messaged my colleague to say I should be there OK, but if not, I was on my way.  Because of time, I decided to get a taxi to ED, and hobbled in.

Yes, I was seen on time, examined, and a few basic tests done, all the time my legs were resting on the gurney ... and, yes, they said I had pulled muscles, and needed physio and got me a referral, and discharged me.  And all with enough time to get to work.

Then, as I went to move the right leg ....


I screamed so loudly I must have deafened half the hospital!  And the leg started to swell.  It actually was about twice it's size within about 5 mins.  All of a sudden my treatment was escalated, and I was put on a drip in case I needed a surgery.

On that day 1, I was on full paracetamol & ibroprofen & morphine and gas & air ... and it still hurt!

Eventually I could move my toes slightly and there was a pulse in my foot again, so I was admitted as there was still a high probability of surgery.

I spent 5 days in the main hospital and then was referred to another hospital for rehab.  For about a week of that time I was totally off weight bearing despite the heavy splinting on the leg.

I came home 2 days ago ... and now am "only" on paracetamol/ibroprofen 3 times a day and morphine once during the night.  It's a battle to walk without crutches, and still can't put my foot to the ground without the splint.

While in the main hospital I had a scan, and it turned out I had torn my main calf muscle, and the internal fibres ... and was left with an haematoma that was 15.5 X 5.8 X 2.2 cm in size (and that was 2 days on after the injury, so the swelling was slightly reduced by then)

So, yes, I am now off work while I try to get my life back to some sort of living.

I have found it so hard to accept, as I literally was doing nothing ... now, I have to rest with the leg up as much as I can, and wear the splint if I need to take a step.  Earlier today I walked about 100 yards ... so, yay, a win!!!!!

Right, that's me.

~~

I am not going to attempt to ctach up with you all at present, as I need to get the splint off and the leg resting easier.

I will catch up with you all soon, I promise.  However if I missed some vital news this last month, please let me know

~

As ever the days dissappear ... shopping, housework, work, repeat!

However as you have just seen I managed to finish a set of icons, so really am pleased about that.

As ever the frustrating thing is that today autumn has really hit ... yesterday morning I had a lovely walk for a short time before work ... the sun was shining, and even better as there was a wedding at the local Church so the bells were peeling ... a lovely half hour.

Today I am going to swap my summer clothes to my winter clothes. I have a large case, so it works really well, and actually doesn't take too long to do.

But for now -







25. ‘Rotomontade’ is a bragging speech or rant. When was the last time you had a really good rant about something?
A small rant, with a collegue, about the useless independant car-park company. I get ranted & sworn at, but as part of the job I have to keep the reply rant silent.

26. Have you ever been fruit-picking? What kind of fruit did you pick, and what did you do with them?
Blackberries - most years.
Until I was 25 we lived near strawberry fields, so that was a summer task. Also, our neighbours had a plum tree, that Dad & I used to "scrump"

27. Do you know how to change a tyre/tire on a car? Have you ever had to do it?
Before I even learned to drive Dad got me to change a tyre. He said it was an essential gift ... and yes, I am pleased he did, as the first time I had to do that, it was after dark on a country lane. I have changed about 5 tyres overall.

28. Have you ever eaten caviar?
I am not a fish fan, so have never attempted it ... but, maybe one day??




Right, I must get something to eat

Yes, the weather is lovely ... wall to wall sunshine ... but it's certainly chilly.  I really need to check out my heating before it gets much further into winter.  I have a terrible feeling the boiler has pretty much died.  So that is a bill, and a challenge, to sort out soon.

Yesterday was a good day at work, but my planned morning din't pan out as by the time I had sorted out banking, shopping, washing etc, etc the morning had gone.

Monday was a good day at work, as well ... and my dental appointment went well.  2 fillings ... what really frustrated me was that the bigger of the 2 (and the dentist is concerned about the future of the tooth) is a repair of my previous filling done by my last dentist.  My new dentist has had to do 2 large fillings ... both of which were repairs from the previous dentist, so although my new dentist is more expensive she both takes the time to listen to my worries, as well as explain what is going on.

I really want to catch up with you all ... but I also need to get some icons made.  Really I must ask father Christmas if he can give me an extra few days per month!

So, here are the questions ... and for those who bother you will realise that I abandoned the weekly photos.  Yes, I was enjoying the challenge but time keeps getting away from me, so I decided that sometimes I can be sensible!








23. Do you know how to perform the ‘Heimlich manoeuvre’?
I learnt it at college in the early 8's.
However it is now "deleted" from our resussitation training.

24. Have you ever seen a comet in the sky?
Back in the 80's ... Halley's Comet. However as I was living in London at the time, the light pollution didn't make for a good view.




Right, let's get on

Wow, that has been a super long fortnight.

I normally do 6 hours in the afternoon ... but over the last 2 weeks I have been doing mornings, as well.  I was meant to get the weekends off, otherwise I was over the top of legal working hours.  Week 1, the weather was lovely and I was given a ticket on a local-ish tram ... so I took advantage of the sunshine.  Last Saturday someone pulled out at the last moment, so I worked.

Now it's today, and I am exhausted, but OK.

I had a slow start for the day, and although I have housework that needs to be done, I probably won't do much.  I am really pleased with how I managed to cope with the excissive hours, but I am really aware of how my Chronic Fatigue is "bubbling" ... so I am going to be a good girl.

Ironically I celebrate my Monday morning off, by having a dental appointment to get a couple of fillings done ... so much for not having to set the alarm clock!

Work was basically good.  We have had one of the volunteers rushed into hospital overnight, and air-lifted to another hospital for major surgery.  He is, at long last, out of Intensive Care.  Although we see this type of situation all the time working at a hospital, it really strikes hard when it's someone you know.  (It was the gentleman who gave me the plums last month)

So i have a lot of questions to catch up on ... and photos to sort, and hopefully post today.  However I am away tomorrow (as normal), and Monday at the dentist ... so ...






6. What’s the last book you read – did you enjoy it/would you recommend it?
The Bible, this morning, before I had breakfast.
I read loads of fan-fiction on my Kindle.
Am reading a couple of books of short stories, one is about people's remembrances of WWII, the other stories written around "The Empire Strikes Back"

7. Is there anything you know is an extravagance, but you still pay for it regularly because you want to treat yourself?
No ... never had money to spare, so always keep an eye on the bills.

8. Can you take a nap and still sleep well that night, or are naps just for when you are unwell?
Yes - Chronic Fatigue is good that way!

9. When you look outside, what do you see right now?
Rain clouds ... I am sitting, so the window next to me catches the tops of rooves, and grey clouds.

10. Are there any confectionary bars they don’t make any more that you miss (describe them)?
Can'r remember any - but probably something.

11. Do you like the taste of fresh basil? What other fresh herbs do you like or dislike?
I love fresh garden mint ... that's the best.

12. Have you ever kept a paper journal? What about a bullet journal?
No.

13. Did you have a baby doll when you were growing up? How about a Barbie (or equivalent fashion doll)?
Had quite a few dolls (and still have them). No Barbie, but a Sindy, but not my favourite of my dolls.

14. When was the last time you had to dress up for a special occasion? What did you wear?
Tim & Claire's 35th wedding anniversary ... I did share photos!

15. Do you enjoy driving a car, or is it just a way to get from one place to another?
Yes, I enjoy driving ... but not into a setting, or rising sun!

16. Do you have pierced ears? If not, do you still wear earrings?
Yes.
Today's are silver flowers.

17. Do you own a smart speaker (Amazon Echo, Google Nest, Apple HomePod). If so, what do you use it for?
No ... I don't have, or want, a Smart Phone.

18. Did you have colouring books as a child? Have you tried any adult colouring books?
Have done ... and still occasioonally do.

19. Are you adventurous with your menus, or do you stick to tried and tested ideas for meals?
I tend to be pretty boring.
But if I were having someone for a meal I do enjoy looking into the cookery books.
I do enjoy trying assorted cake & biscuit recipes.

20. Do you have a favourite quiz show that you regularly watch on TV?
Quite lie Pointless, of Richard Osman's House of Games.

21. How is Autumn treating you? What’s the weather like?
It turned cool & wet almost overnight.

22. Are you good at managing your time, or would you love to be better organised?
I am hopeless.




Right, I am going to post this, and will try and get the photos sorted and posted later.

Sorry I wasn't around - any major news, please link me to those posts as I won't have a chance to skim back.

.

Over the last few days it has been rain, and more rain.  Not necessarily super cold yet, by the evening it means it's cold and gets dark early.  So, September has arrived ... yes, England does need the rain, but it would have been nice to have a longer summer.

Still at least working means that I am not thinking of other places i could be, instead!

Work yesterday was good ... quite busy, so the time went quickly.  One of the volunteers (who should be in this afternoon) had been rushed into A&E, so it's always hard when you know someone who is going through the emergency process.

I have more icons to make, before work, so ..... 





3. Do you like trying new things? What’s the last new thing you tried (a craft, a new food, a new activity or something else)?
I tend to be "boring" ... so I suppose the last thing I tried was when I learned to fence at age 40.

4. Peter Mark Roget was born in 1779 and wrote the ‘Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases Classified and Arranged so as to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition”. Roget’s Thesaurus has never been out of print – have you ever used a thesaurus?
Yes ... and I still do.
Dad showed it to me when I was about 9 for the first time.

5. It’s International Day of Charity – do you regularly (or occasionally) donate to any local or National charities?
I have half a dozen that are on DD ... I have a couple I send to on my brithday and at Christmas






Over the next few days I am actually working different hours, so I won't be around until Saturday ... see you then x