For My Blogging Friends

A small taste of what has been happening around here in the last few weeks - not the usual sweetness and light...

1.   A major flea infestation, courtesy of our two great hunters, Bennie & Sparky.

Because I am super-sensitive to chemicals

and because I don't like to subject my pets to chemical drenches,

it has been a long, hard, battle.

Apparently, I am irresistible to the little blighters.

Fingers crossed, I think the problem has finally been sorted.

*   *   *

2.   During all of this 

my 92 year old aunt started to need more care and attention.

As she lives almost an hour away from us

each dash down to help her has taken a minimum of three hours

out of an already busy day.

Eventually, we persuaded her to have a home visit from the doctor.

She was prescribed antibiotics.

Failed to take them,

(spat them out into a tissue and hid them from her carers)

and suffered a fall as she was feeling so ill

due to an untreated infection.

Since then it has been chaos with her,

and for her.

We have had emergency calls, falls, paramedics,

extra nursing, 

more paramedics.

Finally, a hospital admission.

The news is not good, 

she has some serious problems.

Given her age, they are not likely to be treatable.

She is terrified of dying.

She is terrified of going into care.

She is my problem

as 

I am her next-of-kin.

*  *  *

3.  Bright spots in my life.

They have kept me sane.

Well, these are the first three.

Despite it all, we managed to fit in a couple of days visiting our youngest grandson.

It was wonderful.

*   *   *

Meanwhile, back at home, these two cheeky little tykes 

never fail to make us smile with their antics

and their love.

Two little grub-monsters, taking a break from gardening

and after a face-painting session.

*   *   *

4.   My beautiful cat, Bennie is lost.

We took Toby Too, Sparky and Bennie to a local cattery

so that we could spend two days with young Archer and his mum and dad.

I won't go into the details, but she was lost at the cattery.

We called and called, 

searched high and low.

She has been missing for a week now.

Sparky is distraught, 

and so am I.

Sparky is able to express those emotions which I am struggling to keep inside,
crying won't bring her back.

x

A Postcard from Shanghai and Notes from Home

Most of this is for Jonny and Ming Ming...snippets of family news and garden views.

The postcards arrived this afternoon, Ming Ming.

Both are wonderful, a lovely surprise - thank you very much.

This one is Davina's - isn't it absolutely beautiful?

Mine is a wonderful tiger, believed to be capable of warding off bad evils and ensuring safety and health.

Perfect!

The honeysuckle hedge is fabulous right now, I wish you could smell that heavenly scent.

Each year I have to do battle with two gardeners,

they would love to get rid of it,

I fight like a tiger to keep it!

The potato vine which I planted last year is looking very beautiful, 

simple white flowers which sparkle like little stars.

The vegetable and fruit gardens are doing really well,

I'll show you some photographs next time.

There should be plenty of vegetables for you to choose from

when you come home, Ming Ming.

Meanwhile ...

Sparky and Toby Too have become firm friends

and regularly snuggle up together.

Bennie prefers to sleep alone,

here she is on my work table after a night on the tiles.

This next photograph will interest you, Jonny.

Ta-da!

The new bit of wall and the gate have been completed.

TT is a little perplexed - he used to chase his ball along that part of the garden.

We put the latch on this side, thinking that it would be difficult for Francesca

to open it.. Ha!   She simply climbs on the lower support

 reaches over, unlatches it and swings in.

So much for privacy!

I have finished painting the bureau and a couple of small cupboards,

my next project is to redecorate the bathroom,

I just need to find the time and energy.

As we mentioned, your Auntie Nick is not at all well.

I went against her wishes today

and had the doctor pay her a home visit.

She should be in hospital, but refuses to go.

The best I can do is arrange some extra home care.

It seems inadequate.

End of life care is a disgrace.

Every time the telephone rings I brace myself for bad news.

Speak to you tomorrow.

xxxx