Cataract Surgery

Dear friends, 

sorry I've been silent again. On Tuesday I had cataract surgery and had to stay off the computer for three days. Even now, I'm keeping that eye closed just for good measure. Tomorrow I can do all things in my normal life again, but for three days I couldn't read, or use the computer. (So I listened to music and my Portuguese CDs. But really, I love being online and hated missing all the news. And no reading? Aaarrrrgh!)

But the surgery went very well. My surgeon checked the eye (left) yesterday and is quite satisfied. After my three week period of eyedrops is over, I have another appointment to get a prescription for glasses. Interestingly, the opthamologist does all the optometry testing/prescription as well. I have to say, I like the idea of one person keeping track of my eyes instead of two departments. It's a different system. And I do like my opthamologist, although I had a super one in Sacramento. She was great, too.

Rajan has an appointment next Tuesday, as it's time for him to get a new prescription.

Meanwhile, today I get to go out walking again! (I've missed that, too!)

I'll sign off for now but will be back soon. Everyone have a great day.

And Then More Happened - Oops!

Last Thursday night, close to midnight, I was waiting to take my last set of eyedrops for my glaucoma, and I fell asleep. It was unusually late for the drops and I was soooo sleepy. Next thing I knew I had fallen on the floor, hitting my head and banging my shoulder really hard. I took the drops with Rajan's help, then went to sleep (in bed); but Friday morning my shoulder and arm were so painful, we went to emergency.

Long story short, we were wonderfully taken care of. We have insurance through the hospital, which reduced the expense incredibly: They took X-rays of my shoulder and did a Cat Scan, given that I had a goose-egg on my head. Good news: no broken bones and Cat Scan was fine. They did give me a pain-killer shot and a prescription for pain pills, and I was told not to go on one of my 3-4-mile walks for a few days and to keep my arm in a sling.

I am so grateful no damage was done! Just momentary discomfort, so I used the following days reading and studying Portuguese. Luckily, the doctor and nurse who attended me spoke English.

Already my shoulder feels better, but it's not quite back to normal yet. Still, I'm back to walking (have walked 2-3 miles for the last three days).

Meanwhile, My very kind friend, Carla Pereira came by Monday morning with a delicious dessert treat to make me feel better. Also, knowing how I like Pessoa, the Portuguese poet, she brought a deck of Pessoa playing cards. The backs all have a picture of him looking mournful in a trenchcoat and his tell-tale hat. But on the playing side, each card has a different short quote from one of his writings. The usual sets are there (hearts, spades, diamonds, clubs, and Ace through King in each set), but individually each has a different (and short) quote — ideal for learning my Portuguese.

Also, at the Amazon site for Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls, there is a little snippet teaser you can listen to on Audible HERE .

I hope this finds those of you stopping by enjoying your lives and busy with good things (and not falling off chairs.) Take care and stay well.

TOO MUCH HAS BEEN HAPPENING (GOOD STUFF, THOUGH)

 I haven't had time to post because 1. I'm working on my new book, the next mystery in my Braga series. I have about one-fourth to go. and 2. My husband and I are trying to learn Portuguese - a beautiful-but-not-easy language for people who didn't grow up hearing it. 

But I have GOOD NEWS: Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls is now an AUDIO BOOK. The narrator, the wonderful Beverly Matthews, is British, and it really makes my heart flip-flop to hear all my characters speaking with bonafide English accents. 

I will be posting more about this, around the above two challenges, but here is a link if you want to listen to it for free (temporary opportunity). It's going to also be highlighted on THIF this coming Friday, and I can tell you more about it then. HERE IS THE LINK

Don't give up on me; I am not abandoning blogging. I will also be reviewing some great Sherlock Holmes pastiches here as I progress to the end of my book. 

I do apologize for not having any pictures to share. Braga is popping out in springtime blooms and I, alas, have my nose to the grindstone and my camera in the drawer. 

I hope everyone is well and safe from the endless challenges of the ever-evolving Covid. I will try to get around to your blogs this week, because I miss my blogging friends!