What could possibly go wrong?

Bohusland - Sweden

I went to the doctor this morning for an annual checkup and to talk in general terms about my arthritis. There is nothing much anyone can really do about arthritis - but I like to discuss it every now and the with a professional.

Although I did see an ad recently where people who were so crippled with arthritis that they could not pick up a cup with their gnarly hands.

Then they started wearing gloves with copper studs in them - and the next thing you know they are playing volley ball.

My arthritis is in my foot but I bet I could adapt one of those gloves to fit – after all there is not much difference between fingers and toes. And they were only $19.95 plus p & p – with a special offer of two for the price of one.

Anyway I got to the doctor’s office at 10.00 and the receptionist said that my appointment was for 9:45 and that she would have to check with the doctor to see if he could still fit me in.

Apparently he could because after 40 minutes he appeared. We had a very nice chat. He does no own a gun and cannot understand why so many people feel that they must.

We discussed the recent law changes in Georgia that allow people to carry concealed weapons in bars, churches, schools and airports.

What could possibly go wrong?

The smell of goats

The stuff arrived from Australia today.

I had forgotten that we owned most of it – and some of it I am sure I have never seen before. But it has all been tucked away in the loft and there it shall remain until we leave these  fair shores.

Except of course for the gardening implements. The rakes and shovels will be useful – as will the garden clippers – but I am not sure about the sledge hammer. Why have I got a sledge hammer?

The man arrived to fix the cooling. He found one problem and fixed it – but there is another one – which requires parts which need to be ordered.

The good news is that the dampers which were ordered a month or so ago have arrived. They apparently came by steamboat from Ouagadougou.

Cate has decided to buy a dog. A large dog. I have described to her in great detail the debacle which will take place when the cats meet the dog.

She has brushed this off and said everything will be just fine.

She is not the one who will have to deal with the complete nervous collapse and lengthy recuperation of Monika – who at the best of times is frighteningly fragile and runs and hides at the sound of butterfly wings flapping.

It had better be a really big dog or Sissi will kill it and eat it on sight.

So now I need to organize fences and plan feeding stations and suchlike logistics because Cate is getting the dog but Muggins will be dealing with the daily consequences.

I have had the smell of goats in my nostrils since she gave me this news.

And I am not 75 – I am not even 70 – but am galloping towards it.

His cat will shit in his slippers

Badger and his bike waiting for the ferry

Cate and I flew together to Frankfurt this morning and then she went to Berlin (business class) and I flew to Chicago in steerage.

It was not so bad – although it was one of United’s ancient airplanes that does not have individual entertainment systems – and still had ashtrays – Jeezus – how old is that!

Unfortunately I was staring directly at a man in business class – not more than 20 feet away – and who taunted me by using his flat bed to have a good nap. I was forced to put a curse on him and sometime tonite his cat will shit in his slippers.

So I had to rely on my kindle and my iPod - which were just fine. I napped for only about 20 minutes so I was a bit shagged when I got home after a 22 hour trip.

Chicago airport was – of course – disgusting. I waited for immigration for 30 minutes and for my bags for another 35 minutes. Then I had to go like the hounds of hell were after me to get to my flight.

This was of course interrupted by another security check – but for some reason I had access to the premium line – and when I got to the lady who checks passports and tickets she said I did not have to take my shoes off.

I thought that was great until I actually got to the X-ray machine and the woman looked at my shoes and said ‘are you over 75?’

Of course I said yes and she gave me a wink and a nod and let me go through with my shoes on.

So I arrived gasping and panting at my gate for the Chicago-Indy plane – with 2 minutes to spare before departure – and of course there was no plane – at all.

It arrived – from wherever – about an hour later and we eventually staggered to Indianapolis.

Things are pretty normal here. The air conditioning in the basement has blown a gasket and is not cooling – and the basement is awash.

I have received a bill for a CAT scan I had a few months ago. This was to check that the stomach pains I had were not really a problem. The CAT scan took 8 minutes. The bill is for $3,882.

Is there anyone who cannot see that the US health system is completely shagged?

The cats are very pleased to see me and are keeping me company while I blog. I have attached a bulldog clip and a paperweight to Sissi’s tail so that it does not sweep across the keyboard every 3 seconds.