April 25 - Eyelid surgery

To repair a problem with excess tearing in my eyes Dr. Pirbhai, my ophthalmologist, carried out bilateral ectropion repair and punctoplasty.  Getting to the surgery at 1655 Kilborn was an adventure.  The 148 bus from Hurdman normally runs every 30 minutes but at this time of day there are buses running every 5 minutes or so for the kids going to Canterbury High School.  The kids were surprisingly well behaved and as a result of the increased frequency I was there in very good time.

The nurse had to fill in a form with me which included questions about potential allergic reaction to various anaesthetics all of which had very long names and none of which were familiar.  The last time I had an anaesthetic was in 1987 and before that in 1948 so I wasn't able to help much.

The nurse comes from Mountain and she was surprised that I had heard of the place.  I was able to assure her that the CPR did have a station there.

The anaesthetist said I would be under a mild anaesthetic and that although I would be awake I probably wouldn't remember much about the operation.  I said "I don't like the idea of someone coming at my eye with a knife", to which he replied, "That's what most people say."  In the event, I remember everything pretty well, including chatting with the surgeon while he was cutting away.
"I can smell burning."
"That's your skin!"
I don't remember the knife bit so maybe he came at me from the side or I have conveniently forgotten that part.

Mary guided me home in a taxi.  The first day before the bandages came off it didn't look too bad.

Friday - not a pretty sight

By Saturday the bruising was pretty extensive.

To bring the swelling down I have been resting with a cold compress over both eyes listening to music.  Mozart works very well.  If anybody asks I am putting out the story that I got this while foiling a bank robbery down the street.

I had planned to go out for a short walk on Friday but Mary said "Are you sure you want to go out looking like that?" so I decided to stay in.

She said the same on Saturday morning even though I offered to wear make up.  I thought "Bugrit" and went out anyway.   I don't think anybody noticed and if someone had commented I would have retorted "You should see the other guy."

Sunday 31 March - My Easter Tradition

My Easter breakfast is a cream filled chocolate egg in a warm Hot Cross Bun.

I saw a large skein of Canada Geese yesterday morning - flying south!  Maybe they know something we don't know.

February 28 - A Snowy Day in Ottawa

Today was at the end a heavy storm of particularly wet snow.  Tree branches were heavily coated although the the snow was melting quickly because temperatures were well above freezing.  I took some pictures in Majors' Hill Park where the only other people around were dog owners.  One dachshund was struggling through the snow with its short legs.  Good job it had a coat on or its tummy would have been very cold.

 

 

York Street Steps

February 26 - Visually Blocked

Model trains hide the baseboard and the function of scenery is to hide the trains.

Today several of us went to Martin Cobb's Karpfenbahn to work. I carried out a project I have been thinking about for some time.  In the afternoon jet-lagged John Lobsinger joined me after an excellent lunch at the Swan.  Trains running between Andergosch and Ertzberg leave the yard and traverse a sharp curve.  Narrow gauge trains climb up past a waterfall to run into Upper Ertzberg.  I wanted to make a visual block between Andergosch and the curve and between the curve and Ertzberg.  This would give three distinct scenes and a person standing at the end would see a train emerging from Andergosch and disappearing for Ertzberg (and vice versa).

Many thanks to Larry Lanctot for some of the pictures

The final visual block looking from Andergosch

A number of trees had been "planted" on the curve but they had been placed roughly equidistant from each other.  The first task was to re-plant these so as to create a more open area in the middle of the curve but with trees more closely grouped at either side.

An Andergosch-bound narrow gauge train emerges from the trees.

It was important not to block the view of the waterfall.

A train emerges from the Andergosch direction with a gaily decorated "Sport Wagen".

A standard gauge train from Andergosch is almost hidden in the foliage.

This is the story so far and there is still some work to be done next time on the Ertzberg section. 

Saturday 23 February - Garden Railway Meeting

Fred Mills invited everybody to a morning of coffee, snacks and chili.  It was well attended and there was a great demonstration of the new sound systems installed in both steam and diesel locomotives.  Barry Birkett was a welcome out of town guest and he gave us an idea of the plans for his garden railway. Henk recounted the tale of the first breakfast he catered in Canada - without ketchup.

Pat jumped the gun on the chili

The business part of the meeting was mercifully short - people look as if they are dropping off.

Sunday 17 February - At the Supermarket Checkout

I went to Metro to get a hot barbequed chicken and a baguette today.  I put the chicken in a bag separate from the rest of the purchases but the sweet young thing at the cash put the baguette in with the chicken where it would be warm.

"I always like my buns warm."

I was at a loss for a reply as she obviously knew what she was saying:

"I'm very happy for you," "Need any help?" or "Sounds like a plan."

Saturday 16 February - Stuck in an Elevator

We went to Veronica's 21st birthday party this evening but Mary thought she had time in the afternoon to walk over to the Library before setting out on the 95 bus to Orleans.  A few minutes after she left the apartment I had a phone call from Gilles, Security downstairs telling me that Mary had phoned to tell him she was stuck in the centre elevator.

I went down to the lobby and Gilles said the elevator was now on B3.  I went down to B3 and banged on the door but could get no response.  Fearing the worst, I raced back to the lobby where the fire truck had just arrived.  Gilles said that the elevator was probably on B2 or it might have gone down to B4.  Three firemen and I went to B2 and banged on the door.  Mary answered back and we explained the situation.

The firemen asked if she had any health issues or whether she is likely to have an anxiety attack.  I responded that she would be alright and would be quite calm.  They took the decision not to force their way in but to wait for the elevator repairman as he could do this without causing any damage.

I explained this through the door. Mary replied "I am reading an ebook but I really wanted to go to the Library today".

The firemen pressed me further:
"What condition will she be in when she gets out, she'll still be calm and collected?"
"Yes, she will walk out quite calmly but she will be really p---ed off because there will not be enough time to go to the Library."

One fireman went back up to the lobby but the other two waited with me on B2.  They were consummate professionals.  Both were good at reading people and ensuring that neither I nor Mary panicked. They talked in measured tones and gave me the impression that they were on top of everything and the situation was under control.

It was quite a long wait for the repairman to arrive.  Every so often I would call in to ensure Mary was still OK and I would get the reply "I'm reading a book." (translation - don't bug me). We talked about the AEDs we have in the building and they were very appreciative - it is very important to start CPR at the earliest possible moment.

Finally the cheery faced repairman arrived.  He went first to the top of the building and it was several minutes before he poked his smiling face round the door at B2 and told us what he was going to do..  A little later some elevator movement could be heard and banging on the door produced no response.  The car had either gone down to B4 or up to the 24th floor.  We rushed down to B4 to find the elevator car with the door open but no Mary who had made her way back to the Lobby.  Climbing the stairs back up to the Lobby there was a reunion of all the players.  We thanked the firemen profusely, who had handled things very well, and shook their hands, before heading back to the apartment to prepare for the party.

Catching the 95 bus at Mackenzie King bridge we ran into CK who was going home from work so we lucked into a ride to Sunview Crescent. Quite an exciting afternoon.