Eternal Refuge

Yes, 34 years ago today is when I had my eye operation.  It is amazing how quickly those years have gone ... and how well my eye continues to do.  Overall I am slowly losing the sight in that eye, but considering this time 34 years ago I was actually blind in the eye, I am positive about how things are going.  A torn/detached retina, was the problem.  What I found the most worrying at the time was that there was no reason for the problem ... and the consultant said it was because I am so short-sighted ... fair enough, but as both eyes are the same prescription I then spent time worrying that the other eye would "go" as well.

So, 34 years on, and the left eye stays undamaged ... so positives all round.

Over the weekend I got some of the "cold" symptoms that are going round ... most people I spoke to last week were snuffling, so it wasn't a suprise.  I have taken a few paracetamol, and so far at least I haven't got worse.

I had a good clinic this morning ... and tomorrow I am working on the main reception/welcome desk, so that will keep me out of mischief ... before I post this -



19. In what forms of housing have you resided?
When born a semi-detached house, after that Mum & Dad had detached houses, and then a detached bungalow. Both the houses I have owned are mid-terrace. All are brick built and all but Mum & Dad's in Bude were tiled roof (their's was slate)

20. When were you last onstage, literally or figuratively?
Literally - when I was a member of Bude Orchestra I used to have to do the "thank you" speach at the end ... so was the one who literally had the last word.



Right, I want to make a couple of icons, and sort a few more photos from my London trip.

Will catch up soon x

A couple of days ago I had my annual eye-test.  I go to Boots, which means I see a different optician every time.  I saw a very nice lady this time, but as she sat down I knew she had bad news.  However, as it turned out, it wasn't as bad as she had thought!

One of the tests I had done was the individual eye field of vision, and that is what she wanted to start with ... She needed to tell me I had tested as 50% vision in my right eye.  However it was my turn to reassure her!  I had surgery in that eye back in 1989, and for a few hours I had been totally blind ... then I told her to look at the photo of the rtina.  She was then suprised I could see anything at all! 

So, as I pointed out, I have 3/4 vision, but am not really aware of the fact as my left eye compensates most of the time.  On even more good news, no need to change the glasses prescription (so no big bill), and the loss of vision is only marginal compared to last year.

So all in al a positive trip.


And continuing to be positve - lets keep up ....

14 If being permanently stapled to a cello would somehow bring about world peace would you be prepared to be permanently stapled to a cello? It would hurt a little bit and you would never quite be able to escape the pain but there would be world peace and you could learn to play the cello.

i am a clarinetist.  I am a saxophonist.  I don't like stringed instruments ... however at least it's a cello and not a violin.  So, for world peace, ummmmmmm, maybe!!

I seem, as ever too hectic to keep up ... so thought I would do a quick "point" update ... I had planned to do more, but was late getting back to Exeter.

Thursday ... I went to Torquay to take Dad to hospital to have a Rodent Ulcer removed from his face.  The op(s) on his cheek had gone well, but this was an extra spotted on the last op date ... so, change of location ... and more stitches!
Then work in the afternoon ... ironically at a dermatology clinic!

Friday ... Work in the morning then back to Mum & Dad's as I had organised to get the router on Dad's pc changed ... after waiting around a couple of hours it was to find he had been delayed!  Still, I got some things done for Mum ... reading letters, checking her building society account, etc.
Then shopping for them ... they always used to do a weekly big shop, and now that's left to me.

Saturday ... I took Jiffy for his normal am ramble which we both love, then got back to start some work in the garden ... only to spot that Dad had a black eye ... so, off to A&E ... he has an eye infection.
Then back to cut the grass and do some weeding ... although it got very cold in the late afternoon.
In the evening it was a lazy night watching an old comedy film, and an episode of Dad's Army.

Saturday night - Sunday morning .... I was woken by Jiffy trying to fight his way out of his bedroom, and to hear our burglar alarm going off ... and no lights!  Poor Jiffy is afraid of the dark (he sleeps with a light on), and add to that the noise of quite a few alarms he was a nervous wreck.  Yes, it was our part of the town that as without power ... although it came back on within the hour.

Sunday ... normal morning at Church ... then after dinner I read them a couple of letters that had come in during the week, read a bit of the paper, then washed up.  The cut Mum's hair and permed it ... as well as giving Dad some treatment on a painful shoulder.

I had planned to write a couple of things but while writing this my neighbours, who you cant usually hear, are having a screaming row ... maybe someone else as well (it sounds like more than 2 voices) ... so hope this makes sense.  It seems to be calming a bit ... or maybe they are just loosing their voices!

Hope all is well - will try to get back on track tomorrow.

Some years ago Claire had to have her first overnight stay apart from Tim because of work ... and when she got to unpack her case, Eustace was sitting on top. They aren't often apart, so Eustace travels with her then, and when they go on holiday he goes as well.

So, he went to hospital with her this morning. She had him on her bed and they said would she like to take him to the op with her ... when she woke in recovery, it was to see he had been dressed by the staff for theatre!



I have spoken to her and Tim (and also her surgeon) and things appeared to have gone well - but at 3 1/2 hours, it was a long op.

I hope to pop in for a few minutes tomorrow after work.

Thanks for all your love and support.