Category: House, Garden and Dogs

Bread, Lockdown and Pizza Shop.

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs

The letters we had been waiting for arrived this morning and the appointment for next Friday at Flinders is still on.  The clinic is not included in the lockdown – indeed, none of the hospital emergency services are. Annabell forgot to get bread yesterday and by the time she remembered  and I went back down to the supermarket, the shelves were empty. However, I went down as they opened and got her two packets of bread rolls- which she prefers. I got my bread yesterday but Annabell doesn’t like my Rye Bread. With the lockdown we are not allowed to take the dog out – actually we are not allowed to go out unless  it is within the restrictions rules – which my trip was this morning. Anyway, I would not have been taking the Boy out since it was 37c yesterday and is 38c today and in the high 30s tomorrow. With all that’s going on I thought it would be a good idea to try and kill myself. I did this by climbing up a ladder to trim a tree. I jumped on the bottom rung of the ladder to  make sure that is was grounded well enough. There was no movement so up I went. Got almost to where I wanted to be when the left leg of the ladder sank into the ground and the ladder over-balanced. The ladder went down and me with it. Nothing too serious, – one  cut and  some scrapes. The cut was cleaned (by me) and bandaged also be me. I really didn’t need a bandage because it wasn’t all that bad, but I tend to bleed and it was for that more than anything else.  I thought, “sod this, it’s too blooming hot to stuff around out here”so I left the ladder where it was and went inside  for a cold lemonade. Seemed like a good idea… We are now on the second day of the lockdown and it seems like forever ago when things were “normal”.

We are not allowed to take the dog out for exercise, however, if I choose to go to the shop for essential food items, I can walk there( wearing a mask) and take the dog with me. That’s fair enough but it means that I would have to tie Benji up somewhere outside whilst I do  the shopping – and that I am really not keen on doing.————— Anyway – things do happen fairly quickly and the lockdown which started quickly on Thursday and was to last for six days, ends midnight tonight (Saturday). In routine testing and investigation it was believed that  a new cluster was developing. This was based on information given to authorities by an employee of a Pizza Shop. Based on the information he provided the government moved quickly to contain any breakout – the lockdown – whilst the authorities began the tracing of the customers, delivery driver and so forth. At it happens, the person concerned lied and the lockdown and all the followed was based on a lie. When this was discovered the government moved just as quickly to end the lockdown. Officially it ends at midnight, but to all intents and purposes it is over now and people are out and about. I took Benji out for his walk last night and again this morning,. We live in a strange world. According to what I am reading, there is nothing (officially) that can be done – it is not a crime to lie to these health investigators – they are not police. To say that Adelaide is a tad annoyed is an understatement and it is unlikely that the business involved will survive..

 

Sorry about this – with all the confusion I must have pressed “publish”instead of “Save

 

Keyboards, Adelaide and hot days.

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs
My “New” keyboard

Annabell didn’t like her computer mouse. I, on the other hand, wanted a new keyboard.  About mid-morning we went off to the  shopping mall. I found a new keyboard that I was happy with. Asked for advice I helped Annabell to get a new mouse, but since she had a cable mouse perhaps time she got a wireless mouse and perhaps treat herself to a wireless keyboard. After searching around we found a good wireless mouse/keyboard combination , so she bought that.  ( I know,  where is this going??)  When we got home I unpacked and unboxed my new keyboard. Annabell looked at it and said she wished she had seen that because it’s a keyboard she would like – good, sturdy and large keys. Well, tough, it’s mine so there. Not working?? Okay  — yes I gave it to her and I took the mouse/keyboard combination, which I am using now.  Nah it’s not bad and I can live with it. Annabell is happy with the other keyboard and that’s good. I remember the lesson my dad taught me – “it’s no loss what a friend gains” She’s happy…

Second strange incident. This evening, after the news and the weather report (39c tomorrow) I took Benji out for a “Block Walk” just a short(ish) walk around the block. We moved about six feet when he dug his front paws in and refused to move. He relaxed so I moved off again, less than a foot or so and the paws dug in again. I figured he just didn’t want to go walking so I turned around to   go into the driveway. He didn’t – he walked right past the drive and kept on walking, In essence we did what is generally the morning district walk and he walked quite the thing.

Wednesday 11th: We did not go out yesterday. I had to go to the shops for some things for Annabell and the  boy was not happy because I didn’t take him with me. I couldn’t – not leaving him in

It was a wee bit wet.

a car at 39c – even with windows open. Apart from which, most of the day it blew a storm – very high winds. In the evening the thunderstorm started and continued through much of the night. Today ? Well, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the trees are in blossom. perhaps I just imagined the storm!  “Indian Hills” I really did try to comment but  three times it was deleted. I liked those signs.  (still having a problem with WordPeress.com) Had a telephone call from the Clinic at the Flinders Hospital. I have to take Annabell down there  on 27th November. The Surgeon wants do do some tests before he organises the time and date for her surgery, which will be at the Flinders Cancer Clinic. I had to take  her up to the Emergency Dept. at the local hospital last night and she has another  UTI – and, according to the tests – well the comment the nurse used was “raging” However, they  gave her the necessary medication and the doctor signed a script, which I got  for her this morning.

My drive to Adelaide for the Conference was uneventful (as was the meting itself)  but although I did manage to get some shopping done much of what I wanted – ( tools,batteries etc) was still

unavailable. However, now that the state borders have re-opened, goods should start moving again.  Most of the time I travelled with the A/C on. Things have changed and I  wasn’t able to get the bus into town from the hotel. The public transport in Adelaide no longer takes money. In order to

Just Because

travel on public transport in Adelaide  you needs must have a “Metro Card” and I didn’t. In order to get into the city I had to find a newsagent and buy a metro card – then then the next step was to put funds on to so that cost me more. Still, it does not expire so I can use it when next in Adelaide – in  two weeks time. Actually, if I hold on to it  I can use it any time I am in Adelaide, provided I remember to  put funds in it.  We have a bit of a concern in that South Australia  is now a “Covid Hot Spot”with 22 new cases in the northern suburbs and spreading. The authorities are moving quickly to contain the first outbreak since mid May, but a lot of new restrictions have been re-introduced. We don’t know if we will be allowed to travel to Flinders Hospital next week. I will try and find out what I can today.  It’s a added worry we really don’t need right at the moment.

Benji has not been out walking for a few days, what with me being away overnight,  the 38c / 39c and then 44c  temperatures it has been a tad on the hot side for his paws. Monday evening was the first time out since last Thursday. I also took him out this morning and found it a b it on the “fresh” side but no doubt it will warm up during the day,

Hospitals, Gardens and WordPress

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs
Ada Ryan Gardens
Also Ada Ryan Gardens

Monday Nov. 2nd. The ultrasound  took place last Friday morning and we should have the results – or at least the consultant will have the results tomorrow. When we get them is another matter, Although having said that, he has been pretty good in keeping us informed when he has been here. He is not resident here. But this scan should tell us where the ‘infection ‘is  and how widespread it is. At this stage the results seem to indicate that it is in one area and not widespread, but one never can tell with this.  I attended the RFDS Meeting last night and   drew back from any further

major involvement  for the time being. Some things I  will continue to do because  they are done by telephone and do not require me to be somewhere. I have put my name down for the Men’s Christmas Dinner as has Annabell for the Women’s Christmas Dinner not knowing if either of us will be there at this stage. Everything is very uncertain until we know what is to happen.

Annabell is still very unwell and will require major surgery but the ultrasounds and the blood tests have been quite encouraging, so now we  just wait for a bit. Yes we do have the results but we need time to discuss them with the boys. At this stage we don’t know if it will be at the Royal Adelaide or the Flinders Medical Center – this  will determine where I will stay when I am down there with her. I understand that the Flinders have  a couple of houses that can be rented for a short period so if it is the Flinders I will organise that. If it if the Royal Adelaide I  will probably stay at the Princes Lodge, which is where I will be staying this weekend – maybe!!

’tis a hard life – all this walking

I will need to get back on to WordPress again and see if they can fix my problem.          I can read all your posts – no problem there – if you comment on my post, I can reply – no problem there either. Howeffer, if I try and make a comment on your posts – ah, that does present a problem in that, I can’t. So it’s not that I have not been reading your posts it’s just that I can’t comment on them. When I try to do so,  it tells me that my login to WordPress.com has expired and the  comment is terminated. I haven’t been ignoring people, I just can’t get in touch with you. On the other hand –

Me likes this

perhaps there is nothing wrong with WordPress.com and you are all trying to tell me something  :o)

As an aside, I liked the Spinach and Cheese Ravioli  recipe and have downloaded and printed it ( see, I do read them) . Depending what happens and where I go, I will take this with me and perhaps I will be able to use it as a quick meal when I am on my own. Since Annabell cannot have tomato products, I  can make it here but it would last me for a few days – and – I suppose that’s good. I love pasta but hate lasagna – strange…

I have booked the hotel in Adelaide for the Conference  but I also indicated that I could cancel at a moments notice and that seemed to be fine after I explained why this might be happen.  I made a comment on a post this morning –  Tippy Tales, –  which was good. Perhaps the problem is rectifying itself.

Benji  is well. Like the rest of us he is getting older although his enthusiasm for early  morning walks has not diminished, he is not so great on mid-

More Gardens

afternoon walks and a couple of times an night I have gone out on my own. We stopped going round the back on the Wetlands to feed the geese and ducks mainly because the path has been upgraded with  gravel and he has soft paws and the gravel hurts, so we stick to the main  paved paths. Some may say I spoil him – not so – I just look after him a lot.

Dogs and thunder storms.

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs
It’s been a rough week alright.

Now that I have returned to Classic Editor I can reply to people – all except two. For reasons , which are unknown, any comments I make on these post are deleted. I have no idea why this is happening because I thought we had fixed this. Seems I was mistaken, but I don’t know what the problem is. These are the  Monica and Annabell Marsh

Annabell is home but the problem is not  sorted.   Everything from the exploratory surgery on Tuesday (20th)  has been sent away for analysts  and we should have these results when I take her back to the hospital next Friday  30th.

Right at the moment there is a major storm front settled over the Eyre Peninsula. The noise of the storm was incredible with rolling thunder which seemed like it was sitting on the roof – not a lot of lightening. The thunder is still happening but it is a bit further away than it was when it woke me up at 3:30. I am happy to say that the dogs have not been bothered. Benji is ok and Yogi is deaf anyway :o)

Monday 26th. Jim was released from hospital yesterday afternoon and I took Yogi home late this afternoon. Too much happening on Sunday and this morning was shopping day. I had intended to take Yogi home after shopping, which would be about 12(ish) however, as the Bard wrote “The best laid plans of mice and men…” We were no sooner back in the house when the hospital telephoned and said they had a cancellation would Annabell like to have that appointment rather than Friday. We thought this was good and accepted the offer. I phoned Jim and told him we would be late returning Yogi and why.   I have to take her for tests tomorrow (Tuesday) and again  for another scan on Friday. However, the initial test results from last week are not good. We

Just passing time, Mummy – not buying Ice Cream or anything – just passing time…

do have a result but it needs to be confirmed. She’s comfortable with the result, or at least she has accepted it – I’m really not.  I just wish I was but I’m not. Sooner, rather than later, regardless of what

happens this week, we will have to go down to Adelaide for an operation. At this stage we believe it will be at the Flinders Medical Center. I wont be able to take Benji with us so I  either find someone to look after him, or I  lodge him in the Kennels for a few days. Adelaide – well most of South Australia really,  is not pet friendly. Yes, I know I look after other peoples’ dogs from time to time , but that’s different. We are talking about my Benji here.  Jim does not keep good health and has enough to look after Yogi – his own dog: Dougal’s family also have health problems and  would not be able to cope with Benji and although Max is a lovely Pug, Benji did not get on well with Max – so I have no place else to go other than the Kennels.

We had further blood tests and we go for the final scan tomorrow (Friday) these will confirm the results. Once that is done I will telephone the boys and ask them to come over and we can have a family conference. The boys  need to be told, something I was going to do on Wednesday but Annabell said to leave things until it’s confirmed and we know for definite. On a positive side we have been told that it is not a “deadly” form and she  should respond to  treatment after the initial infection has been removed. We can only hope and pray that this is so,  and on Sunday I will be obliged to let the congregation know.

Sanity returns – for a while.

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs

Ah, thank you WordPress. I have now returned to  Classic Editor – at least for the time being. I hope I can stay  in this program and be able to return after a close down.  I was not impressed with the block editor and I have to admit that I found (find) it confusing and awkward to use. Apart from which, I’m all in favour of change – unless, of course, if affects me, in which case I am totally against it   LOL…..  Went out with Benji last night and used the stroller. He is starting to get used to it and is a lot more relaxed. Before he kept standing up  much of the time, now he is starting to sit down and still watch what’s going on around him. I still have him clipped in – just in case..

Ada Ryan Gardens
No idea what they are

After several days of 30 – 32c warmth, which was very nice, it has been raining for much of the morning. Not the heavy rain of the other week, more like light showers, which, in Scotland we would call a drizzle. It’s still warm – but wet  :o) Over this week Benji and I have spent a fair bit of time at the Ada Ryan Gardens. Not so much the wetlands at the moment mainly because there seems to be a lot of dogs around the area. I think I already said that this is why I don’t join the 6:30 am Friday Wetland Walkers, because a few of them bring their dogs. The Wetlands Kiosk has become the  ‘in ‘place at the moment. It is closed Monday and Tuesday but open the rest of the week and open late night Friday and Saturday. I asked about the closures and I was told that it is to give the staff a break from working flat out when they are open, daytime and late nights.  I think credit is due to the council workers for the time and effort they put in to keeping the gardens  clean,  tidy and  really looking well kept. There is no Pageant nor are there any activities in the gardens at all this year, which is giving parts of the gardens time to recover from stalls,  marquees and people.  Given the current “state of play” it’s unlikely that there will be any activities in the gardens until Australia Day in mid January 2021.

Seems the hospital is unwilling to let me off the hook.  Not had to take Annabell there for a bit, but got a call this morning to say that Jim had fallen and was waiting for an ambulance to take him to hospital because he seems to have broken something.  He wanted to know if I could come and collect Yogi. Well I was dressed for church, and I drove down and picked up the dog.  A short while ago  – 3;30 this afternoon –  he called me and asked if I could come and collect him from the hospital. I did, of course and he asked me if I could hold on to Yogi for a couple of days. Not a problem, Benji and Yogi get on well together – except when Yogi tries to encroach on Benji’s sleeping spot at night. Yes, Jim has broken his wrist. He was telling me that he will not be going to  Perth at Christmas. It is unlikely that the Western Australia borders will be open before next year and he is not going to go into a hotel for two weeks hotel quarantine in Perth and another two

The Almond Blossom

when he comes back to South Australia – all of which he would have to pay for.

Benji and Yogi in happier times

We did not go out walking yesterday nor this morning. Yogi has a number of medical problems – which I aware of – and requires medication. I really don’t know how fit he is and although we three have gone out walking in the past – it has been a while and I don’t want to take any chances. It is only for a couple of days and Benji can manage that.

OK, Jim took a bit of a turn and telephoned me and asked me if I would take him up to hospital. I went down, picked him up and drove him back to the hospital. It was decided that he should be admitted so I stayed with him until they were ready for him. I made a couple of telephone calls to let others know he was in hospital. This means that we will have Yogi longer than was intended.  Oh well, he’s really not too much of a problem at the moment.

Tomorrow I take Annabell into hospital for the Exploratory Examination or whatever it is. I will let you know how things progress. Hopefully it will be nothing serious.