Progress

Slowly making progress!  My shoulder is being very good about doing its daily exercises, and although it is a little stiff (as one would expect after not being used for nearly two weeks, and having surgery into the bargain) it's not doing too badly.  The surgical stockings are a thing of the past, the sore throat has healed and proper food is very enjoyable again after a diet of soup and yoghurt.

Here's something much nicer to contemplate, the Clarence River - we stayed here for a couple of nights on our recent holiday.  The wharf would have been a pleasant place to sit and ponder on the state of the world, but while we were staying here a storm blew up with strong wind and heavy rain.....so we stayed in our little van, which you can't see here.

 The Clarence River is very wide towards its mouth - it's known locally as "the big river".

It has been known to flood, and must be an awesome sight when it does.

The one-handed life doesn't have a lot to recommend it, so thank goodness it's only temporary.  Everyday living is slightly more difficult than usual, but the hardest thing is to towel oneself dry after the morning shower; the left arm keeps wanting to join in, even though it shouldn't.  The dressings are off the holes on my shoulder, in fact the hole on my back has already healed.  Not so many years ago, before keyhole surgery became the thing, an operation such as this would have meant an incision in the shoulder as well as the internal work - and that would have meant a longer period of healing.  Now, although some fairly major work was apparently done in there, my shoulder only has four holes and one of them is healed.  Isn't medical science amazing?

We are concerned about our old puss, Binky is going on for 17 and of late has been very quiet, she's been off her food, and isn't her usual bright happy self.  We will take her to the vet this week, but are steeling ourselves for the fact that most of her nine lives may by used up.  She has always been a talkative cat but she is not even talking much now.  We know she won't live forever, but she will be missed.....of all the cats we have had in our lives for the past nearly 40 years, she has been "Miss Personality".

No sewing to report, no knitting, nothing.  Not one note plinked on uke or guitar.  Some books read, none of them memorable but just the same, it's an easy way to pass the time.  A few crossword puzzles have been done.  Christmas parties will soon be starting up (last weekend the quilt group party had to be missed because I felt so blah, and because I couldn't eat anyway) so they will be something to look forward to.  Might start putting up decorations soon, although it will be a two-person job this year.  Isn't is usually the woman who gets to do these things in most households?  Ours is no different, you know.

"Preserving a youthful complexion.
The following rules may be given for the preservation of a youthful complexion.  Rise early and go to bed early.  Take plenty of exercise.  Use plenty of cold water and good soap frequently.  Be moderate in eating and drinking.  Do not lace.  Avoid as much as possible the vitiated atmosphere of crowded assemblies.  Shun cosmetics and washes for the skin.  The latter dry the skin, and only defeat the end they are supposed to have in view."

Probably as good advice now, as when it was given in 1885.....although I do not know any woman these days who wears a tightly laced corset.

Enjoy your days!