Blog Archives

Eye, Eye

31/8/2024

I can't remember what I have told everyone as a general update on the eye / health situation but suffice to say, on the one hand it is healing OK (physically i.e. tissues) but visually it is an absolute disaster. There may be some improvement when things have settled down and when the brain readjusts but, really, my left eye just sees a blur and generally only on a 'central' horizontal register (if that makes sense).

The surgeon and consultants are rather reticent about it.... which is fair enough, and I am back in the hospital again on the 10th September. I am trialling some new contact lenses (just for the right eye as there is no point having anything for the left eye) and have chosen new (fairly funky) glasses too, for reading and/or computer work. The opticians have been very helpful and, of course, are full of stories to be optimistic...?*!

So, we’ll see (literally - ha! ha!)

Or not.

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Mad Decisions?

31/8/2024

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A shorter haircut as I will have to wear glasses more from now on.

So, a few new changes recently…a different haircut and I resigned from my job!

Perhaps both might be considered to be a bit drastic? And, yes, the latter certainly is but as quite a few people are aware it is also something I have been thinking about for a while. It is such a shame - I really like working with the team and potentially the job role could be very 'nice' but at the moment I do not have the wherewithal to get to that point. Hey ho.

It is quite a drastic decision I realise but, to be honest, certain aspects have made me feel unhappy and frustrated, and with everything that has happened in the last few years, it is the right thing to do for the time being. As you know, I am very flexible and easy-going - but only to a point. Maybe having principles isn’t the ‘done thing’ nowadays and it certainly isn’t necessarily sensible, but certain phrases echo around my head at stupid o’clock when I cannot sleep – “life’s too short” and “it’s only job” and “you’re a long time dead”.

Therefore, both Paul and I are looking for alternative employment.

Fun and games!?

Below: this is how being a school office manager can feel.... !!

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Showing Off (again)

15/8/2024

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I have literally just picked all of these vegetables and herbs from the garden!

The majority will be part of a Mediterranean supper (in wraps, with dips) apart from the beetroot which will be lightly pickled.

So...sweet peppers, chillies (one of which is pretty hot), courgette, tomatoes, French beans, basil and oregano.

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PIERIS RAPAE: Not happy with…

14/8/2024

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….the culprit catapillar!

This is the larvae of the cabbage white butterfly- aka: Pieris brassicae, P. rapae, P. napi, Mamestra brassicae, Plutella xylostella, which within 48 hours decimated my brassicas and nasturtiums!

Cheek!

Damage = Holes are eaten in the outer leaves of all brassicas and damage may also be seen on the inner leaves of cabbages when the heart is cut through. Caterpillars and their excrement are often found on the plant (RHS).

BLEUGH!

Subsequently, ALL of my cabbages were ripped asunder and ended up in the hot composter.

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Wise Words (not mine)

8/8/2024

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Sweet Peas & Crocosmia freshly cut from the garden!

This is another 'cut and paste' from Rev. Jon Owen in Sydney's Wayside Chapel (remember it is winter in the southern hemisphere ... so the temperatures are probably the same as a British summer - but it is all relative!)

"Even though the bitter winds make for some frightful evenings, the sun is slowly breaking through during the day. It’s a great opportunity to duck up into our rooftop garden, soak in some healing rays, and grab a handful of lemon myrtle leaves, gently crushing them to inhale their intoxicating fragrance. If you stay still long enough, you might catch a glimpse of the blue banded bees swirling around, attracted by their scent.

There's a young man who regularly spends time up there, and just the other day, he shared a little of his story through the garden. He explained how he has learnt that in order to flourish, each seed needs not only to be planted at the right time and nourished, but also to be in the right place. “When I was planted on the streets, I declined rapidly, but now that I have a place to stay, that’s when I began to grow. It saddens me that when people get planted in concrete, we simply aren’t meant to be there.” His gentle wisdom pierced my heart open a little wider again. How often do we judge people rather than the conditions in which they find themselves?"

I love that - "that in order to flourish, each seed needs not only to be planted at the right time and nourished, but also to be in the right place".... and it very much reflects my Liability gardening too.

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