Wow what a colourful world we live in !!! I must have been walking round with my mouth open all week in amazement at the difference now I no longer have a cataract.
Before the op. I knew there were birds there, Could probably guess as to what type of bird they were. But now - just think of the song, " I can see clearly now...."
I have been going through my paintings and wonder how I would now paint the colours. Down in the shedudio I have just watched the brilliant colours of the birds coming to the feeders. But it wont be long before I paint again.
Next ?
My ribs are almost better. Not bad for an old woman. Its 3 weeks today since the accident and I just have one area still giving me jip.
So, as the insurance paid up. I went from this
to this.
Matches my eyes which I can now see clearly are blue.
Today I had my cataract operation.
Despite everyone telling me it didnt hurt, well no it didnt, but it was bloody uncomfortable. Laid flat, with ones head in a well and then a pillow shoved under your knees - why? Wanted to move up a bit and then the bruised ribs kicked in.
Trying to breathe, relax, etc, while the consultant is describing what they are doing is not helpful when they want you to relax. "I am now chopping up your cataract. Send in cataract water, you will feel water flushing over your eye, keep looking at the light, I am now pressing in the new cataract."
Well. What can I say.
When I have the other eye done I will try and relax.
I try to walk on the Esplanade every day. Sometimes the weather is against me. I don't mind the rain, the wind if its not too strong or the cold. But when they combine together its hard work.
Whenever possible I look around me and see what is going on
There are usually sea birds.
One of my top favourites is the Oyster Catcher. I have done many paintings of this bird.
There are, on the beach, usually dog walkers.
And on this occasion a pony walker.
Children playing or just looking.
Sometimes there is evidence left to raise a smile.
Arthur and Allison were here.
And some evidence one would rather not see.......
But, I do love Fraserburgh beach.
After my walk yesterday, and home again, the Dawn Patroller sat with his coffee watching the birds.
Then this happened.
Our bird feeding station has lots of branches tied to it and last year's Christmas tree. The reason for all that is so the DP can take photographs of the birds in a 'natural' setting. So with no more ado,
Chaffinch.
Goldfinch.
Yellowhammer.
Great Tit.
There were lots more, but I dont want to overload you.
Then today. Well, totally different.
And whats more I got to the Esplanade for my walk all by myself. Loan car delivered this morning.
Much better.
Almost two weeks ago now I was tootling along on my way home. A very loud bang and there I was in a field having done a 75% turn. Car wrapped in barbed wire. The farmer was there before the emergency services. a)to check on me and b) presumably to check on his fence. The vehicle that hit me had come out of a side road and has admitted it was their fault. Although of course all this was going on while I sat there in shock.
This is the Fire Brigade removing my car door to extract me. I was then carried to the ambulance by the Firemen and woman. (In every cloud there is a silver lining!)
After checks to make sure I was not about to expire I was taken to casualty and diagnosed with damaged ribs. As if I didnt know. By this time I was in agony. Far worse than childbirth. Told to take paracetemol 4 hourly.
So here I am. Alive. Pain of ribs very much eased . Very, very lucky.
Another bit of this old carcase sorted. Some months ago a friend blew her top at me.
"I am fed up of repeating myself. Get your ears tested."
As the walls of the homestead vibrated when I was watching the t.v. with the sound up so I could hear what was being said, and still, frequently had to check with the Dawn Patroller as to what had been said, I finally went and had my hearing tested.
Ok, some months back on a visit to the GP for something totally unconnected I casually mentioned my struggle with following conversations. Laughed it off and said, "Probably part of old age !"
After looking in the ear oles for wax or other blockages and there were none I was - referred. Today I met with Craig, the Audiologist.
Why was I surprised to be told I was actually deaf? I had heard every bleep, squeak, ring through the head phones, I thought...... But no.
So I am to get state of the art hearing aids.
In the next few weeks. The Audiologist told me that the NHS in my area actually provided top of the range hearing aids. That cost privately, wait for it, £3000.
I was shown them. Craig put them in his ear and you could not see them. So not this trumpet or the pink plastic lumps I was envisaging. In fact I had worked out in my head I would paint a picture on them as in my mind they were huge and obvious so I would have to do something to be ha ha humorous.
So. Just the cataracts to sort. March the 7th. I have removed myself from any social interaction until then so ass to avoid any chest infections which would prevent me from having the operation.
After that I shall return to the world as the BIONIC WOMAN. Fortunately I still have (most) of me teeth.
Hopefully we can all see this video I took today. The wind was not too strong but was coming off the sea so was not that pleasant. The first time on my walk I had to take shelter and sit down. The plus was the horizon was in the right place, unlike my photographs when it is on a definite slant.
I am struggling with COPD but am determined not to let it defeat me. So every day I can I walk. Yesterday was too much wind so the Dawn Patroller took me inland. To Strichen Community Park.
I enjoyed it. Good to be out and staggering. But the sound of traffic rather than waves wasnt that good. Although the double shot cappuccino was ace from the lovely cafe.
