Once there was

something called 'FirstClass' it was the online communication portal for OUSA and the OU. OUSA - OU Students Association. That was where I learnt that click-of-the-mouse friendships could and did grow connecting folks far and wide.
I joined some groups and we chatted away sharing all sorts. There we learned to practise netiquette and developed our own dos and don'ts. I was fortunate to meet face-to-face with some people and that made online friendships even more special. 

I did a course called 'You, your computer and the Internet'. That OUSA group known as T171 Survivors was particularly active. The online conference was always busy with dings and flags popping up as posts were sent. They had a yearly get-together near Harrogate, and one year I decided to join them. We had a lovely time and it was good to put faces to names. 

Another very active group was the Dog House where we shared our joys and woes and the antics of our K9 companions. I like to think we became a close-knit group. One stalwart was DD affectionately known as Duracell Dusty. Not wanting it to 'rain on my keyboard' I won't say much more. 

Why write now? Well, yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of DD's crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Today someone posted a collage of DD's support group and I thought I'd share it here to celebrate the friendship groups that grew up courtesy of FC (FirstClass).

OUSA Dog House

Reponsibility

Responsibility is something that is part and parcel of being a dog owner.

 

So today we went back to the vets.

Our usual one was off today and there was a choice of 2 people. One is new to veterinary medicine and to the practice. I've met her before and she seems nervous particularly when meeting large dogs. The other is someone who has met and treated our large male GSD without any qualms. Unfortunately the earliest appointment was 2 pm. Puppy needed to keep off any foods until seen by the vet (usual procedure when there's a tummy upset).

The rest of the staff tend to be very touchy-feely particularly where young cute animals are involved. There were oos and aahs when we came in and complimentary comments. The problem when one person came over the see the puppy and because of reticence said she'd get her some kibble and that it'd be fine. Very politely I explained why puppy had come to the vets and that she'd been nil by mouth. So when receptionist returned with some kibble, I had to again tell her 'no'. Here's me being the responsible owner but as for the receptionist? the mind boggles. 

So, puppy is on a rice and fish diet for the next few days and she has some anti-biotics to take. The rice and fish went down a treat. G the vet phoned to offer some more advice such as adding natural yogurt to the diet and something called pro-fibre. Next I'm going to see what I can find out from a vet-med site. Yes, our vets have the stuff in stock but I dread to think what the price might be. Using a UK site I can order and receive some K9 products postage free and at lower price than from the vets.

Wish me luck!

Parliament

A click on the mouse friend is fond of owls; so it was good to find a website about crochet owls and let her know.

Traditionally owls are associated with wisdom and learning. They appear on congratulations greetings.

The collective noun is  a Parliament of Owls
In his Narnia series The Silver Chair, C.S.Lewis describes a parliament of owls that meets to discuss events and to give advice. I wonder if my delight in owls might come from reading Lewis?
Two more owls of the literary kind spring to mind:
Winnie the Pooh's 'Wol' and TH White's 'Once and future king' where Wart is change into and owl. This is shown most amusingly in the Disney cartoon film.

Thinking back, there was once a farm park (name forgotten) near Penzance.  The day we went there was a talk and display about owls. We got up close and personal as the saying goes with some of the owls. That's an experience never to be forgotten. How thin the neck is under its layers of feathers and how heavy an owl can be when it's on the glove on your hand.

So like my friend, I too have a love of owls.

Do I remember...yes I do

A picture appeared on Facebook of a twin-tub washing machine and that brought back memories. Washing is no longer the chore it used to be. In fact as I type my automatic is busily washing the latest load. 

Years ago I went to a museum which I think no longer exists as there has been so much redevelopment. The rooms were set out depicting the lives of ordinary people in the early 20th century and went up to the 1950s. Washing day with posser and dolly tub, not forgetting 'dolly blue' used to whiten washing. 

A large stand-alone mangle just like one a neighbour had when I was a pre-school child. 
Then there was an electric washing machine consisting of a tub with agitator and above it the mangle. Not such a happy memory as it was so easy to trap fingers and have to release them. 
Moving on to college days and although some went to the launderette, I washed by hand then used the spin-dryer before hanging clothes on the line.
Later on I learnt to use a twin-tub; oh the hours spent feeding it with water, heating up the water, adding washing powder and washing, then moving on the use the spin dryer part making sure the hose stayed in the sink. 
Then a series of automatic washing machines, right up to today with washing done in 30 minutes.

Old-fashioned

Took little 'bear' to see Michelle the vet this morning. Nothing too serious just what my friends in the 'Dog House' forum would term dire rear.
Little'n now weighs a respectable 13.8 kg. Bless her, she happily sat on the scales to be weighed and kept remarkably still.
We discussed what the cause of the problem might be and details of the dire rear. Then Michelle mentioned that they had food for 'sensitive' stomachs. She grinned when she saw the look on my face and suggested that old-fashioned might be better. 

Pups will be er pups and prone to trying out all sorts of things such as mosses, soil, paper, cardboard, not forgetting shoes!
There could be any number of causes for her tummy upset. So, we came home with worming granules to mix into food (to be on the safe side). A small container and scoop for 'samples' over three days (just in case).

Well, what's the old-fashioned thing? 

For the next 3 or 4 days...she'll be eating scrambled egg and chicken! 

A quick trip to the local supermarket and back again with a pack of eggs and another of chicken thighs and drumsticks (now boiled), leaving me with some chicken stock.

Ideas anyone?

Friday

is the day for Taijiguan; one of the highlights of the week. Only lasts an hour, but the impact lasts and lasts.
Years ago I went to the gym on a regular basis for several years, then two things intervened. The gym started charging extra for things that had been inclusive and this on top of the regular membership fees made it too expensive. 
Then, there was shingles. Mine was not diagnosed soon enough although I was convinced that shingles was the problem. Hence, I am prone to recurring bouts of shingles pain. What can you take for it? Nothing has much impact on it at all. Shingles rash lasted 6 months, the pain continued. That put an end to gym membership.

Taijiguan takes place in a local community centre and the group varies in size with some attending more regularly than others. We have two tutors and they have different ways but it's always enjoyable. 

Here is a graceful version of what we attempt. The movements are slow, gentle with the emphasis on balance. Another key is to be relaxed with no tension anywhere. 
The after effects? Circulation - zinging from top to toe. Mind quietened and at peace for an hour remains quieter for a while with no intrusive thoughts. A sense of well-being remains.

From the Guardian

A spokesman for Aldi said random tests had shown that the products they had withdrawn contained between 30% and 100% horse meat.

"This is completely unacceptable and like other affected companies, we feel angry and let down by our supplier. If the label says beef, our customers expect it to be beef. Suppliers are absolutely clear that they are required to meet our stringent specifications and that we do not tolerate any failure to do so," he said.

The main headline story has been 'contamination' as in horse meat found in products labelled 'beef'.

It set me thinking about food, buying and preparation. Thinking of the contents of my freezer, there are no bought in ready meals. Unlike two of my neighbours, H exists on microwave and oven ready meals he buys from Salisbury or Marks & Spencer. The other neighbour buys from Iceland in particular and loves to find bargains.

Apparently there's nothing 'wrong' with horse meat apart from not wanting to eat it or that it might contain 'bute' a pain killer phenylbutazone which has been found to cause aplastic anaemia in some people.

Thanks to being of a certain age, and my upbringing the closest to 'ready' you'll find me using is frozen veg particularly when the price of fresh is too high and veg is poor quality. We buy our meat from butchers.

Do people read the small print on ready meals and 'value' foods with understanding?  

Field studies

Nettlecombe Court  is near Exmoor in Devon and run by the Field Studies Council. Years ago when in the VIth form we were encouraged to go on fieldwork at one of their centres. The year I went with some of the other geographers it was to Nettlecombe Court. 
How come I suddenly thought about it seeing as it has lain at the back of my mind all this time? 
Three reasons, firstly last weekend C told me she was taking her VI th form and some other pupils to one of their places in Wales, secondly, I did a search for the FSC and saw Nettlecombe Court on their map and thirdly I have begun an unusual and mould-breaking course with the OU. 
Off and on over the years I have done fieldwork in various places. Vth form it was studies in the local area, VI th form Nettlecombe Court, college Lyme Regis (Omitting my work / career). 
OU studies - Durham and Herriot Watt universities
OUGS Open University Geological Society field study - Tees Valley, Falmouth and the Lizard peninsula, Symposium and fieldwork Poole, Dorset

The latest OU course is virtual fieldwork! 
For various reasons, mostly political, universities are having difficult times. The creative idea from the OU is to use multi-media to work on-line and perform fieldwork tasks.

C has gone with her charges to Dale Fort. 

Checking out the Nettlecombe Court page it seems similar to when I was there many years ago. The dorms still have bunk beds! The dining room still has refectory tables and the classrooms haven't changed that much.
But, today there is a bar. In yesteryear we snook scrumpie into the dorm, the local pub was too far to walk and out of bounds.

College days - Lyme Regis we stayed in an hotel and as all were over 18 it was legal to drink in the bar. First 'fatal' mistake made by the tutors was to have the day's debrief in the bar. It turned out to be historical geography with a trip to Maiden Castle and numerous barrows, long, round and bank. We did go to Chesil Beach and I remember one of the lads 'falling in' and spending the day rather wet. Then there was the day spent in Dorchester museum looking at archaeology. 

I posted on the tutor discussion page to tell folk about OUGS. Hoping some of my fellow students will take advantage of the fieldwork events run by OUGS.

z_puppy

This little girlie will be joining our family at the beginning of next month.

Two weeks on she's more grown-up

Just look at those ears! She's ahead of herself! Usually it takes far longer for the ears to begin to perk up. Typically the right ear is the first to stand up, followed by the left.

A friend who is very good at drawing animals said she would like to draw Z_pup and of course I said 'Yes.' It won't be for a while but am sure it will be worth the wait.

Time

Tempus fugit - time flies and leaves nothing in its wake apart from memories. Some positive but others are negative.
Let's stick with the positives.

Yesterday I 'played friends of the M6'.
Usually I prefer to avoid travels on a Friday, so how come I headed north yesterday? There are few people that could encourage me to break my self-imposed 'never on a Friday' travel. 

Two days ago, I received a message asking me if I was free 'tomorrow'. My god-daughter had plans for me and her mother (my long-time best friend). 

The hobbit movie is being shown nation-wide and god-daughter knows how much we love Tolkien. So she'd decided on a get-together and watch the film day. It never crossed my mind that travel would be on a Friday. Hence, I headed north along the dreaded M6 to meet up.

There's something inestimably good about the love and friendship of our nearest and dearest.  Hence without thinking I travelled up and then down the M6 almost without a qualm. Now I have memories to cherish.

Blackhorse, Bluebell and Red Cow

Luas Red Line has 28 Stops located at Tallaght, Hospital, Cookstown, Saggart, Fortunestown, Citywest Campus, Cheeverstown (Park + Ride), Fettercairn, Belgard, Kingswood, Red Cow (Park + Ride and Depot), Kylemore, Bluebell, Blackhorse, Drimnagh, Goldenbridge, Suir Road, Rialto, Fatima, James's, Heuston, Museum, Smithfield, Four Courts, Jervis, Abbey Street, Busáras, Connolly, George's Dock, Mayor Square - NCI, Spencer Dock and The Point.

So, where is the Luas? 
Dublin, Ireland...the tram network which connects areas of the city and is to be extended with more linkages.
For the grand sum of 23 euro a valid ticket allows unlimited use for a week!

Apols for delay, but life or rather the opposite intervened.

Back on track ('scuse the pun).

Dublin has a wonderful array of statues.

Finishing touches being made to the tree in front of the Post Office. That building played an important part in Irish history, Worth finding out about it if you haven't come across it before.

Over the years, I've taken a few photos of the 'tart with the cart'. This time someone had given her a rose.

Another Dublin landmark on the Ha'penny Bridge. Something you might want to look up maybe?

This is one I needed to find out...Anna Livia on the Anna Livia Bridge. The bridge dates from 1665 and was known as Chapelizoid until the centenary of James Joyce birth (1982) when it became Anna Livia as in the 'Dubliners'.

There's always more to see and learn in Dublin...

Update

Made the journey to the hospital again yesterday. Had no idea how long OH would be there so drove away, parked up, read and waited.
About an hour later he phoned to say he'd just seen the consultant. Off I went to collect him.
Good news, 'You cannot tell which eye was done' said the consultant. Then wrote 'Discharged' across the outpatient appointment card.

What  a relief!

Catch-up

Haven't felt like posting for a while, but at last there's something I want to write.

Several years ago OH had a cataract op. It was a time when the NHS had a backlog and a team of surgeons came over from South Africa. 
They travelled the country in two purpose built vehicles. The first was reception, waiting room and specialist consultation booths. Here they assessed patients.
OH was taken there and back by taxi, all patients were transported that way. 
A few weeks later the taxi took him for his op.
The second vehicle was amazing - a huge trailer opened  up sideways. It had a day ward with leather couches, an anaesthetists area and operating theatre.

This time everything was at the teaching hospital (St. Paul's eye unit). The place is a 'nightmare' to get to and to make it worse we were told by friends of roadworks and a new one-way system. So we did a recce a week before the appt. Worked out the route and navigated the one-way system. 

Appt day came round and we went to the hospital, I dropped OH at the entrance. It was hours before he rang to get me to return and collect him. 

On the journey back he told me what had happened. He'd spent ages in one waiting room after another. They'd asked him the same questions at each stage as he saw various people. Then someone had said he'd get another appt to return and complete the assessment. That's when he'd asked them whether there was any reason it couldn't be done there and then. He'd been told it would involve waiting... He'd already spent most of his time waiting so another wait was no problem.

So he waited and all assessments were completed.

Next, we received an appt letter for January 2013. 

Then, out of the blue another appt letter, cancelling the first and rescheduling for 10th Nov. Saturday? Another backlog had built up and this time ops were being rescheduled for Saturdays.

Last Saturday was 'the 'day'...now we're in the recuperation stage.

Tai-Chi

The other weekend I was staying with friends and went to my first Tai Chi class. Sorry to say I was not impressed, but didn't know any better.

Wednesday this week, I caught a later train and went to Manchester with B. It was the Playhouse Theatre which is just over the road from Oxford Road station. Good as it meant less travelling.
Our first disappointment was when we found our usual restaurant had 'closed until further notice'. So we had to find somewhere else. The pub meal was okay but they only did a limited menu.
On our theatre trips we like to end lunch with coffee and something 'naughty' such as cheesecake. Off we went and after queuing, we had coffee and lemon cheesecake (B) and I had chai latte and strawberry cheesecake.
Then on to the theatre.

Forty-second street - lovely costumes, cheerful music and very energetic, skilled dancers. The down-side was the theatre itself. Apparently it had been refurbished, but the seating remains cramped, grab rails too shiny and slippery. Getting to our seats was bad enough, sitting there for 2.5 hours? was a nightmare. Talk about having painfully stiff joints! 

The good news was we had a lovely chat and I said I might go to the Tai-Chi class with B. Hence this morning's efforts. I have to say it was thoroughly enjoyable, greater numbers than the other one and friendlier people. For a small remuneration we had an hour's tuition and either tea of coffee. Then I was invited to join them on their next outing, but unfortunately not convenient but there'll be others.

So next Friday morning? Back to Tai Chi.

That'll teach me!

not to plan too far ahead, and not to blog about it.
Just learnt the due to lack of takers, the Curry Night has been cancelled.

Taking a leaf

from an online friend's blog...Thanks, Joy
I've had a go at making my own version of Roasted Vegetable Soup.

Having read her posts about making soup and finding I had some it would be better if I used these up vegetables, I had a go.

The vegetable rack had a butternut squash, some courgettes and onions and I'd just bought some peppers.
Into the halogen oven went sliced vegetables for roasting. Courgettes sliced length-ways, similarly butternut squash with seeds removed and sliced deseeded peppers (red).

A lovely mouth-watering aroma came from the cooked vegetables.

Roasted and roughly chopped they went in to the soup pan with water and chopped onions. Yes, the onions ought to have been roasted but this was an 'if it occurs to you - add it' concoction.

Simmered and condiments added, cooled and whizzed to make a smother texture then left over night for flavours to develop.
Today, I decided the smoked paprika would make an excellent addition to the flavouring, so in some went.

Now, all that's left is to heat through thoroughly and serve...

Since

Yesterday's epistle fell with a silent thud into the ether...at least I feel better for having put my thoughts down for 'posterity'.

I have something different to look forward to next week. 

Lovely folk in Rishton are holding a fund-raising event in aid of the East Lancs. Hospice. 

I've been with my friends to that restaurant several times and the food is scrummy. I could not resist the opportunity to meet up with my friends, go to the restaurant, hopefully have an evening of fun and laughter whilst raising funds for charity.

New term - new course

Studies with the OU continue apace thanks to transitional arrangements. Having been a student under the original fees regime, I do not have to pay the grossly inflated prices forced on others.
I love studying, it keeps the old grey cells from degenerating with aging. 
Previously, I did SD226 Biological Psychology. Okay, so afterwards I vowed 'never again'. But, time marches on an experiences fade, and the OU develop new attractive courses whose descriptions whet the appetite for study.

So, here I am at the commencement of SDK228 - 

The Science of the Mind - Investigating Mental Health.

The first eTMA (electronic Tutor Marked Assignment) is due to be submitted online no later than noon on 29th November. 

Biopsychosociology - or looking at how biology, psychology and sociology play a part in mental health.

Reading blogs by by online friends, I've noticed that some seem to be coming down regularly with aches and pains, a sense of being 'under the weather' often accompanied by sore throat, sniffles and the like.

With my learning hat on my mind began to wonder about my online friends and their recurring 'not very well' postings.

Why?

Because in recent study using readings, audio and video I've been looking at 'depression', 

stress and how flu-like symptoms can be linked to biology, psychology and sociology (somatisation).

People can think they have flu-like symptoms and lay the blame on increased contact with people of all ages. It's tempting to think that the symptoms have arisen through being at work. They can, and do, but Not because of the germ 'soup' of the working environment. Rather the imposition of yet more and more 'must do', must be 'seen to do' tasks. Onerous, time-consuming and seemingly never-ending. Add on extra layers such as observation, assessment, time constraints as well as simply doing the job...?

Those recurring bouts of flu-like 'virus', headaches, sore throats are the body and brain attempting to tell the person 'enough'! Be more kind to yourself.

Learn how to say 'Yes, But...' instead of acquiescence when someone tasks you with yet more burdens on your 'willing' shoulders.    

Refrain from taking on more and more 'must do this', 'must do'...

Your well-being, is under threat - the longer and greater stresses become...

In a hole in the ground there lived a

Bilbo Baggins went on a journey 'there and back again'.

Another of my favourite books by my all-time favourite author J. R. R. Tolkien. Why the sudden need to blog about a book whose anniversary was celebrated on 21st September 2012?

December 14th 2012 sees the premier of the Hobbit movie part I. For those like me who are eagerly anticipating its arrival, the ubiquitous Facebook has a page by Peter Jackson,  another called the Hobbit UK and last but not least the OneRing.net a world-wide collaboration of Tolkien fandom.

So, seeing as a download option was available, I include the following for your delectation and delight.

Dwarven

Thorin Oakenshield 

Fili and Kili

That was then...

This is now, and what a change to procedures. A few years back OH had a cataract operation. There was a long waiting list and to help out a team of South African medics toured here.
OH received his appointment and was collected by taxi and taken to the mobile clinic. He returned by taxi having had all the necessary explanations, advice and so on. 
A short while later he received his appt for the operation and instructions to bathe both eye areas twice a day for the week before.
Once more he was collected by taxi and taken to the mobile state-of the-art operating suite. He had his op (successful) and the taxi brought him home along with instructions for aftercare. They phoned him a couple of times to ask how he was and if he wanted to ask anything. All in all a successful outcome.

The SA team are here no longer and OH is to have an op on the other eye.

This time it's the NHS and visits to the teaching hospital.

There has been a massive investment in re-configuring the road network. We did a practice run the other week to work out the 'best' route. 

Today was spent going to and from the hospital. 8am to try to get there for an 8.45 appt. I drove home leaving OH to attend his appt. 

It was 11.30 before OH phoned for me to collect him. He'd spent the time going around the hospital from on queue to another.