whew!

....finally....on Thursday I had cataract surgery on my left eye.  A huge relief to have this behind me.  The attending nurse was great, sensing my anxiety, she upped the intravenous sedation.  Following that, I had my first afternoon nap in about 50 years!

Since I can't get the necessary corrective lens for about 3 weeks, I bought a pair of inexpensive readers so I keep switching back and forth between my 'real glasses' and them!

I see the surgeon again on Friday to confirm all is well.

I've been clearing out a large armoire so that it can be moved to Seaview, and today I uncovered several pairs of old prescription glasses of mine (with tiny pale frames) and innumerable readers of Brian's (some barely dented and scratched!)

We are so fortunate to have the doctors and technology to help us see better!

bambi

Early this morning I was walking, enjoying the dappled light and stillness of the chip trail at the Henderson Rec. Centre.  One single golfer was practicing his tee shots, his face half-hidden by a Tilly hat pulled low over his eyes.

As I was completing my first lap, there was a small noise, and I came upon a deer, mouth jammed with tender foliage. Cursing under my breath - these are the critters I fence my garden against.

As I hesitated for a moment longer,  I heard another rustle.
 
A bambi. 





Even a cull-the-deer-mouth like me stood in awe for a brief moment.  (a brief moment) Then images of the protective netting around our non deer-resistent garden came to mind and I resumed my fast walking pace.

audrey & alice

 '

                             'blessed are we that can laugh at ourselves
                               for we shall never cease to be amused'
 
                           sculpture by The Wizard of Felt, June Cable

early in the morning

  Yesterday morning, at about 5 a.m., I went outside with my Lumix (Panasonic DMC-ZS30) and wandered through our gardens.  The air was clear and the stillness wrapped about me like a gossamer shawl. Dogs and neighbourhood children were quiet.  The ancient gingko, 'Autumn Gold',  presides over the front garden, sharing space with the Wayne Ngan sculpture and creeping white thyme (thymus paecox 'Albiflorus').

An off-shoot of tetrapanex 'Steroid Giant' has appeared right against our front path and I will need to dig it out before it upends the blocks. It is an exuberant plant,  popping up in unexpected places. However, it doesn't put out many side roots, making it very difficult to transplant. Because of this, it's a hard-to-find perennial, which suits me!

Apricot-coloured geums with a backdrop of nepeta

a

A weeping larch has been moved from a large planter into the garden this spring, where it has responded by doubling in size!

And, finally, two hostas dominate the shade garden: to the left, 'Marilyn Monroe' and, to the right, 'Strip-Tease.'