Sorry for my shortcomings in returning to your responses in my latest article or indeed to some of yours. I have been too busy with personal duties and issues of health and my dear Helvi. Her arm became re-infected again which resulted in her hospitalisation for yet another 5 nights. We are now home and hopefully things will improve, it has been a hard slog. Hospitals are not good places to recover and if there are any benefits I have yet to learn about them.
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In the meantime let me cheer you up with this lovely iris.
I promise to get back to answering some of your marvellous pieces and responses but can only do so when getting some rest and Helvi getting better. I can do with some bowling or walks along our little river. We are both so exhausted and in dire need of better times ahead.
Oosterman Treats Blog 
October 8, 2019 at 4:37 am |
Thanks for finding the time to connect wit us anyway. You can only do what you can do.
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October 9, 2019 at 6:18 am |
So happy for you to be so considerate. The hospital episodes had some good things. It made me realise how good it is to be home.
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October 8, 2019 at 5:00 am |
Rest and recovery to the both of you.
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October 9, 2019 at 6:21 am |
Thank you, Peter. We are getting friends to sit with Helvi so I can go bowling this coming Sunday. Often our daughter is here but not always in sync with bowling. Of course bowling is just not of first priority, but even so…I look forward to it.
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October 8, 2019 at 5:58 am |
Dear Gez and Helvi, no need at all to apologise, but I do so love the irises. We have a rare all white one and I’ll send you the pic in return.
I’ll offer the universe a Buddhist prayer for your speedy recovery.
Love from Mike and Wendy.
🌹🌺💐🌻
Sent from my iPad
>
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October 9, 2019 at 6:27 am |
Thank you, Mike and Wendy.
While at hospital, and the public ward in complete melt-down, one elderly gentleman threw all caution to the wind and while starkers but just wearing a nappy was running and hollering along the corridor, shouting. ‘nurse, nurse’ followed with ‘help, help, help’.
Of course each bed has an emergency button but they only have some slight therapeutic meaning. No nurse even turns up. They are all in the corridors entering ‘data’. Nurses are flat out, worn to the bones.
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October 8, 2019 at 6:52 am |
Gerard, I’m so sorry to hear about Helvi’s latest misfortune. I reckon you’ve both had more than enough to deal with and the only way now is up. I’m sending you both warmest thoughts.
Spring is much in evidence in my garden as I’m sure it is in yours and I hope most sincerely that you both get to enjoy It.
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October 9, 2019 at 6:30 am |
Yes, spring is here and we are having lovely weather and even some needed rain. Up north some small towns are running out of water and having to ship it in. And then the bushfires. We had a nice day today Helvi and I had a nice meat-pie at home. ( with tom sauce and all) small mercies.
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October 8, 2019 at 12:00 pm |
The little red hen.
So much depends
On the little red hen,
Standing beside the wheelbarrow,
In the pouring rain. . .
(inspired by a William Carlos Williams poem)….
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October 8, 2019 at 12:01 pm |
Oh..and hold tight, Gerard and Helvi….
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October 9, 2019 at 6:33 am |
Holding on tight alright Jo,
Helvi wanted out of hospital and convinced the doctor she would be happier at home. So much better. Those bloody patients pushing bed buttons and they are amplified through the whole ward. It drove her mad. Why the whole ward has to be subjected to all that electronic noise baffles me. Is it meant to strengthen the patients?
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October 8, 2019 at 3:16 pm |
I understand completely. Take care of yourself…and Helvi. You are so right about hospitals. Horrible place to be sick!
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October 9, 2019 at 6:36 am |
We now are back in control and it is so much better. We will all be lucky to get out alive. There were some fantastic nurses and you could tell. They cared. But, it is so unfair. Understaffed, overworked and primitive equipment. .. Giving tax cuts, one pays the price.
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October 9, 2019 at 10:35 pm
Geez. Are you sure you aren’t living in “Great America”? But I’m glad things are looking a little better for you both.
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October 8, 2019 at 9:57 pm |
I am so very sorry to hear all of this, Gerard! 😦
Please just focus on Helvi and getting her healed and well.
And take care of you, so you don’t get ill. Hope you can go bowling and for some walks again soon.
(I don’t like hospitals.)
That iris is SO very beautiful! It made me smile! 🙂
(((HUGS))) to you and Helvi
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October 9, 2019 at 6:40 am |
The garden is responding to all the care Helvi has given it through all the years. We are now enjoying the benefits. Each day something growth with sudden pleasure and asks to be looked at and enjoyed. All free.
With luck a game of bowls will come about this Sunday at the local Soldiers club when a friend will be with Helvi.
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October 9, 2019 at 6:54 am
That color of iris is my favorite! And irises remind me of my Dad. He always had them growing in his flower gardens.
Yes, we can find pleasure, peace, and even some healing from the beauty in nature.
Oh, good on the game of bowls for you! and I’m sure Helvi will enjoy having a friend to chat with. 🙂
PATS to Milo! 🙂
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October 11, 2019 at 8:39 am |
Lovely Iris Gerard, ours has been and gone. I love the winter bulbs and those that come in spring.
A speedy recovery for Helvi and time for rest for you.
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October 15, 2019 at 2:30 am |
Thank you, Algy. I told Helvi your kind wishes.
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October 11, 2019 at 11:35 pm |
If bowling and meat pies are mentioned, can recovery (or at least better times) be far behind? It’s good that you’re home again. It is even better that you offered a little post, because it’s another opportunity for us to fuss over you, and send greetings and good wishes. The only real downside I’ve found in this internet community is that some of us are so far away we can’t help out as we’d like.
I had my own little experience with the medical establishment today — and it is very small, compared to your experiences. Still. I had my first experience of a tooth extraction; I had to have a wisdom tooth pulled. I had no idea what to expect, but dentistry clearly has improved since my last experiences. The surgery was at 10 this morning. By 11:00, I was home. I had some coffee, a small nap, and here I am: a little swollen but pain free and feeling just fine. Even the slight bleeding has stopped. If I touch my jaw it’s still tender, but the solution to that’s easy — I don’t touch it!
I’m so grateful for what seems to be such an easy process. I hope beyond hope that Helvi can find her healing easier now, too. And you? Go bowling! Have a break! And for heaven’s sake, don’t feel guilty about having a good time.
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October 15, 2019 at 2:28 am |
Yes, a visit to the dentist is not one of my favourite events. In fact I cancelled my last appointment and I felt so happy. I managed to go bowling last Sunday. With Helvi, her heart is with all of you but she doesn’t really want to dwell on her illnesses.
She is getting so much enjoyment out of her garden of which she can never get enough. She is so positive and it hurts.
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October 13, 2019 at 12:33 am |
I hope Helvi soon gets over that darn infection, and that all your bowls go where you meant them to. How is Milo in all of this? xx
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October 15, 2019 at 2:22 am |
Yes, Yvonne. Things are not looking too good but Helvi doesn’t really want to dwell on this nor does she want to go to hospitals anymore. I played bowls last Sunday when a friend looked after Helvi.
Milo is keeping a close watch on all the procedures and going-ons at our place.
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October 16, 2019 at 4:48 pm |
Warm wishes to both of you and wish Helvi a good recovery.
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October 19, 2019 at 9:32 pm |
I’ve been thinking of you and Helvi and I wanted to stop back by to see how you two are doing. Continued wishes and prayers.
HUGS for you and Helvi
PATS and RUBS for Milo
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October 22, 2019 at 3:57 am |
Helvi is still in High Dependency ward at the hospital. Her arm will be operated if and when she gets better. Love to all. Helvi and gerard
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October 22, 2019 at 4:13 am
Our thoughts are with you and Helvi.
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October 22, 2019 at 7:32 am
I’m so sorry to hear this, Gerard.
My best wishes, prayers, and love for her and for her to get better.
Please know that I care about both of you, and I’m concerned about both of you.
HUGS to both of you!
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October 20, 2019 at 1:49 am |
Here, Gerard…one for you and Helvi for the good times… https://freefall852.wordpress.com/2019/10/20/ted-and-edie-dance-the-rumba/
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October 27, 2019 at 8:59 pm |
Just stopping by to check on Helvi, and you.
You two are not forgotten. Still thinking of you and sending prayers, healing wishes, love and (((HUGS)))
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