...although I confess to not being entirely sure.
Sleepless nights...my poor mum is having a few of those but today, Dad seems calmer and less angry. It's not a rosy picture by any means as the additional drugs have made it impossible for him to stand - not even with two people aiding him. He's really confused timewise, though sharp as a needle on things like playing dominoes and answering general knowledge questions. Mum's hoping for some physical assistance in the shape of a hoist and a different bed because she wants to manage at home just as long as possible. We'll have to see how long that is and how things go on a daily basis.
Sleepless nights...I came home from work last night around 8.30pm and as I got out of the car, Pippin came skulking up to the gate ...on the outside, not the inside. I looked around to see if Mateo had just been out for a walk with him but there was no sign. And then I saw his front leg....a big, open wound just around the 'elbow' area, a gash that split the skin to the flesh below. Turns out Mateo had taken him out not long after I left at 5pm and as usual, let him off the lead in the surrounding olive groves but Pippin had caught his leg on a rusty old piece of wire. Initially, Mateo had managed to pick him up to carry him home but Pip was so frightened that he got free and ran off. For three hours, Mateo and the neighbours were looking for him to no avail. There were tears of relief to see him again as shades of Darwin hung over everyone. It was a costly trip to the vet as we arrived out of hours, but she managed to stitch him up and sort him out and I feel sure it will all be OK - though Pip is not keen on his large plastic collar! He did make quite a lot of noise during the night once he woke up from the anaesthetic, hence my night of not much sleep.
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| Pip on Sunday - 5 months old now |
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| With Ruy |
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This morning, a big squished in his cage but the place he feels safest in.
I lost count of how many stitches he has |
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| Yes, a bit sorry for himself and not impressed with his collar! |
When Mateo, Pip and I got home, there was another surprise awaiting. Whilst doing some work up near the vine, FR had to move what he thought was an old nest...only to discover three little birds inside doing their 'Sing a Song of Sixpence' impression. Worried that the parents would reject them once the nest had been removed, he, Ruy and Romy were busy feeding their hungry little beaks and preparing a place to keep them. So cute - I do hope they survive. I feel so sorry for their parents who have done such a good job so far. Keep your fingers crossed.
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| Three little blackbirds |
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| Sensing a presence |
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| And opening wide in anticipation! |
And the garden? Well, today, we have a miserable, damp and overcast sort of day where everything is wet from the humidity in the air, rather than rainfall so not much work. It was all hands on deck at the weekend though and good to know I have two strong boys willing and able to help out - one slightly more so than the other at the moment. It's important for me to stress here that we are just doing some minor gardening work, of course. Minor. Gardening. As you can see.
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| Ruy avoiding photograph.... |
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| Just minor work, you understand |
As always, our neighbours were wonderful during the Pip crisis and our thanks are with them. And to top it off, Sergio came round with a great bowl of cherries and strawberries.
And not everything in the garden is - in a minor way - being turned upside down.
Some parts are positively rosy and our hens are working overtime on the egg front!
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| Wonderful scented jasmine outside the lounge window... |
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| Wild flowers in the wild bits... |
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| And we are not Casa Rosales for nothing...with yellow |
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| lilac |
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red roses blooming
(despite the minor gardening work....) |
And VERY briefly, talking about work....I'm suddenly finding myself very busy with my teaching. I have three classes that begin at 8am and it's this early start, combined with my sleepless night, that means I am doing double not just on the day but almost the month! May has barely begun for me despite the fact it's June on Sunday!
Where does the time go??
Hello Annie,
ReplyDeleteIt really is all go with you! Perhaps it is just as well that your nights are sleepless since that gives you a few more valuable hours in the day to get everything done!
The garden/ bomb site will surely look fantastic when finished but it all looks rather daunting at this stage. Just hold your nerve and all will be well, especially if the weather works for you.
It is so sad to hear of all the issues with your parents and rather frightening. One does project oneself into their positions and it does not look a happy place to be. We do hope that the right kind of help will be forthcoming and that your parents' wishes can all be met.
And, what an awful accident to your dog. Well, bad luck comes in threes they say so you have had more than your share now!
I can imagine your horror at our 'garden' situation, Jane and Lance! I'm afraid there isn't really a clear masterplan for the final design....I promise I will give it some thought though and I don't feel under any pressure to 'finish' it. It will take its course and become ours. In time. Probably!
DeleteThank you for your good wishes for my parents. I know there's little I can do apart from offer moral support via SKYPE and thank goodness we have that!
Pip will recover and it was quite a relief not to have to take him out this morning as it was raining and I hate bringing a wet dog home! And the vet says we were lucky - it could have been much worse!
Axxx
You've exhausted me just reading this. Don't burn out. Sounds like you are busier now than before you gave up work last term. I'm so glad Pippin is Ok, though he does look very sorry for himself. The garden is going to be worth all the disruption eventually, from the pictures you obviously have green fingers.
ReplyDeleteHi B2B - don't worry, I tend to thrive on being busy. Pip is feeling sorry for himself and I'm sneakily enjoying this rather calmer version I have just now although he's a complete pest with his great collar!
DeleteMy fingers aren't green - the plants that are doing so well were already in the garden but this year, they've really excelled themselves. I do try and look after them a bit!
Axxx
Ditto BtoB....take care of yourself ! I have already commented on poor Pippin's injuries. I bet Mateo was beside himself. Hopefully he'll be on the mend soon. I can only imagine what things must be like for your mum at the moment, Its so hard.... Mark and I often wish we still had our parents around, we miss them dreadfully, but know so many of our friends whose lives are pretty stressed by their parents' problems of old age and ill health. We had some of the same issues your mum is dealing with, with Mark's dad, but it was actually over a much shorter period of time.My heart goes out to all of you trying to cope with it all. xxx
ReplyDeleteAs for the garden... at last, I can see what is happening. It is going to be wonderful...and if those baby birds survive, maybe they'll come back and visit to see the finished project.
Really wishing we could have had that coffee together today...lots of love Jxxxx
I have worked out my time dilemma, Janice. Because I teach early in the morning, then come home and do other things, when I go back in the evening it's almost like starting another day...I have two days every day! No wonder the week seems long and yet time is whizzing by! Now I've worked that out I think I can cope better. I am loving it though. And apart from the odd drama at home, it's really only my parents' situation that is difficult. My mum is a great 'coper' and as long as my dad isn't unpleasant, she will find a way to cope.
DeleteWe're hoping the birds will stay around - I love the song of blackbirds! We have nightingales here too and they sing very near us at night.
We must have a virtual coffee together very soon. Axxx
Just re-read your post, Annie and all will become clear about where the time goes!
ReplyDeleteHope things settle down with your Dad, with your work, with Pippin and of course with the minor work in your garden.
Take care xx
You're right, Gaynor and as I said to Janice, above, it's felt like I've been working two days every day - not long days, of course, and enjoyable work too - but it does explain why I've lost track of time.
ReplyDeleteThanks - I'm sure things will be as sorted as possible ...one day!
Axxx
The roses look perfect, you sound as though you have a lot on your plate at the moment. Be sure to take a minute or two for yourself too.
ReplyDeleteI am busy for sure but loving it. I am concerned about my parents but can't do much apart from offer moral support and make the time to go to them if I really need to. MY time is definitely doing a zentangle or two! Thank you! Axxx
DeleteYour photos are just lovely Annie. I envy people who can photograph so well. Poor Pippin and yes he was lucky it wasn't worse. I can just imagine your panic when you were looking for him. He is enormous isn't he? Mine are 3 months now and not as big, but then a month can make a big difference so we'll see. And as others have said before, take care of yourself xx
ReplyDeleteWell I'm a very long way from being a good photographer, Ayak, but when the light's as good as it is here, it really isn't too difficult to get a nice shot or two. Pippin's healing quite well although there's a bit that simply won't knit together - not and allow him to straighten his leg as well....I've got used to his size although he could still grow quite a bit more. Ho, ho, ho. (Slightly mirthless...)
DeleteI am actually very happy with all that's going on around me - except what's happening to my parents, although things have now settled down a bit.
Thank you. Axxx
So much activity goes into a day, doesn't it, Annie? Writing about it reminds us sometimes of why we are tired, and that we have much accomplished (and, often, more to do). Ah . . . I've been through these "minor" projects myself. I always try to remembers "all in good time".
ReplyDeleteHere is hoping that Pippin's recovery is quick and he isn't suffering too much, poor thing and also prayers for you mom and dad and issues of health and well-being that are not so easily remedied.
I am woefully behind with your writings, Penny, but I will catch up and I do love to read your words and thoughts. You are right though- it's possible to pack a lot into a day!
DeletePippin is now only suffering from being a bit bored with it all...a silly plastic collar and limited exercise is not his idea of a fun-filled day at all! Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers for my parents. Today, they are not too bad.
Axxx
Poor Pippin...but poor Mateo..to have Pippin first injure himself and then run off must have been a nightmare for him.
ReplyDeleteI just bet Pippin doesn't like his lampshade: our small Tot made the most of hers, sitting on the sofa and whopping every dog that passed with it until it disintegrated...
Those two morning and evening days must seem long..especially if you don't take a break but carry on with all your normal activities - plus the garden!
I do hope that your mother gets the help she needs to cope in quick order....could she check with her quack for adjusting the medication, do you think? I know from experience with Leo that small adjustments in the pills can make for big differences in the person.
Oh Helen, Mateo was really distraught. All is healing now, I'm glad to say and Pip is just thoroughly bored of being a 'patient'...
DeleteI have cancelled my Friday afternoon teaching for the time being - it just felt too much to go and do another 3 hours so near the weekend...I will continue in the summer when I can start earlier with my young students when they're not at school - then I have my evenings free. Also no teaching in August!
My mum has had some professionals around to assess their needs and also Dad's off most of the new medication and is a lot better already.
Thanks for your kind words, Helen.
Axxx
Minor work! I'm calling social services ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell we've already had the police round....Ax
DeleteSorry - I'm shallow and superficial, but I have to say this.
ReplyDeleteLOVE M's new haircut !!!!
I'll tell him, Nilly - and he'll say ..."See....!"
DeleteAxxx
Good luck with the Blackbirds! We have them nesting in our garden... I gave the farm cat a glare last night, which was enough to scare him off... all the garden birds had gone into a bit of a tweet frenzy after seeing him emerge from the hedge and I'd wondered what the racket was about.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I hope Pippin heals quickly - they get into a lot of scrapes at that age, but learn quickly!
Sx
Thanks Ms S! So far, the birds are surviving though we can't find worms to feed them and I'm not quick enough to catch flies....but Pip makes sure no cats poke their noses into the garden. He's healing quickly and is utterly bored now with his confinement to house and lead, I do hope he learns as quickly as he heals! Heel would be great! Axx
DeleteGosh, I feel tired just reading about all your activity, Annie, and just look how long it's taken me to read this. :-( I'm hoping that by now Pip's bad leg has mostly healed and also that things are easier for your parents, now your father's medication has been adjusted.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is going to be really lovely once all the work is finished, but I don't envy you the process. In the meantime - anyone for omelettes? :-)
I admit to having a lot more siestas these days, Perpetua....I always used to find something more productive to do but am glad of the lull at the moment. Pip's leg is healing slowly but it is slow - we'll all have to put up with the collar for a bit longer! Mum and Dad have settled down a bit but whilst my dad's not so agitated and angry, he is now almost completely immobile - we're not sure if he's had another stroke or not. It means getting him up is more difficult but they are getting some equipment to try and help. They're coping most days though.
DeleteThings have stalled on the garden but I don't know why. I'm leaving it all to FR on the basis that he has a plan and I'm content to go along with that. When the building work is done, then I shall start to plant and make it look gardeny. Til then, I'm just putting up with the mess and making lots of tortillas and egg custards!
Axxx
Poor Pip. I hope he and Mateo have now recovered from the shock. Are you still using the collar? You might want to see if you can get hold of one of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buster-279805-Inflatable-Collar-M/dp/B007GH3UES -the links a random one, just to show you what I mean, they come in his size and are sold most everywhere, much better than those miserable cones of shame. Also try alternating dabbing the wound with slightly diluted lavender oil and once it is no longer raw rubbing in wheatgerm oil ... that will promote healing and keep the skin around the area supple so it can stretch back to its normal position. And do that for a bit even after it's healed and the collars off, to help prevent the skin thickening along the scar. Apols if you're doing those things already, and if you're not apols for not seeing this sooner ... my years in animal rescue are useful sometimes but this is rather belated advice.
ReplyDeleteI too thrive on busy, but do take a few minutes now and then for you m'dear x
Hi Annie....Mateo has fully recovered but Pippin is still with his collar one! I shall look out the one you describe though finding one here is unlikely - and by the time one arrived via the internet, I hope he'll be fine again. What we DO have here is a wonder cream called 'Blastoestimulina' which does indeed contain lavender oil and geranium oil. I used it on a wound I had and couldn't believe how quickly it healed as a result. A littel reading up on the web indicated that it was suitable for animals too and it's working well for Pip. It was quite a bit 'hole' but I can see it's almost healed now, thank goodness. I'm glad my instinct to use this cream was justified - I am recommending it to every one now - sadly it's not available in the UK or I'd be suggesting you pop out to buy a tube!
DeleteThank you - I do get a few minutes here and there - during which I Zentangle like mad! Axxx