Incapacitated

     I had a fall on the tennis courts last Friday (tripped over my feet while running for a ball) and took a big chunk of skin off my shin. My skin there is very thin and (due to blood thinners) bled profusely. With some help from friends, I managed to patch it up and headed home.

   By Sunday it was still bleeding so I took myself off to the local Emergency department and got it looked at by a very kind doctor and nurse who cleaned me up, redressed the wound and gave me a tetanus shot. He also gave me a prescription for an anti biotic as I was worried about infection. After a scolding for not coming in immediately he referred me to the plastics clinic who would call me for an appointment, and sent me home with extra dressings. 

   Since then a huge bruise has developed (a hematoma) and is spreading down my leg and into my foot which is now quite swollen, I haven't heard from the plastics clinic, and have been trying to carry on with my usual activities (not tennis!). But I think I will need another visit to ER. I am trying to keep my leg elevated which does help a bit but it is now quite painful. I will call the plastics clinic tomorrow and see if they can fit me in. Ironically, I was planning to attend a workshop on preventing falls in the elderly on Friday which I may have to miss!

Where Does The Time Go?

     I have been very lazy about posting here but I have some time today so will look back in my diary and try for a catchup.

   May has been pretty busy so far and I have had two trips to the theatre already. The first was the local amateur theatre group's production of "Wild Ladies of Winedale" which was quite hilarious! All the characters had southern (American) accents and the actors pulled it off very well. The second one was part of a day trip to Wellington County (south west Ontario). We first visited the childhood home of our 10th Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, now a museum and a perfect example of a "genteel" Victorian family home. After lunch in Cambridge we attended a musical, "Crazy For You", which was pretty spectacular with an amazing cast.

   That same week I had two Executive meetings, one of which combined with a free lunch so I was well fed and not too bored by the proceedings. Last Sunday was Mother's Day and Judy and Natalie came for Afternoon Tea, specially catered by Judy which was, in my opinion, even better than those offered locally. The Tennis Club also had its opening social that weekend with a barbecue and time on the courts and we were blessed with perfect weather.

   This week has not been quite so busy. On Monday the pool guys came to take the cover off the pool and start up the pump. Thankfully everything survived the winter and is in good working order (fingers crossed) so no extra expenses. I had my first dip today but the water was pretty arctic so I didn't stay in long. Also the air conditioner got its yearly service and is all set for the hot humid summer weather.

    Probus Club met on Thursday with a very interesting speaker to round out another week and we are heading into the Victoria Day weekend with brilliant weather forecast. Should be a lively one!

   

Eating Around the World

    This month we visited a Nepalese restaurant which proved to be another fantastic food revelation! Seemingly our neighbourhood of Toronto (Scarborough) has the most ethnic restaurants of any place in North America! We do have a very diverse population.

   The restaurant, Falcha, was tiny and in another nondescript strip plaza but it was surprisingly busy for a weekday lunch hour. Most of the patrons seemed to be students so probably live locally. I had a taster plate again as I find this is the best way to sample the cuisine. It included a small bowl of tasty lentil soup, a vegetarian stew, rice, roasted potatoes and a yummy yogurt and honey sponge cake dessert. The main ingredient of the stew was, I think, tofu but I found it a bit dry and bland. I have been meaning to try tofu for some time and I know it needs to have added elements to flavour it, but i think this was a bit overcooked. Also, everything was very spicy hot! I drank a lot of water to cool off my mouth. However, it was a convivial meal with lots of chatter and laughs, a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon.

    Still very cool here and we had a major storm earlier in the week - trees down and power out in places. We have yet to see any summery weather and will continue in the low to mid teens as far as the temperature goes for another week. The trees are finally beginning to show some greenery and the grass is growing like gangbusters so I will have to try to keep ahead of that!

What Was I Thinking?

    The new Executive at the Seniors' Centre was selected last week and, in a moment of weakness, I volunteered to be the Kitchen Convenor. Don't know where my head was as I am already on two Executives although neither is very onerous, but really....! I usually sit on my hands to prevent myself from volunteering for anything new.

   This Executive meets every other Friday which, unfortunately,  is one of my tennis days. The actual job description doesn't seem too heavy, just making sure there is someone manning the kitchen counter each shift and checking on supplies. I'm sure I will be told what else is required of me at Friday's meeting. The other volunteers are pretty reliable so there shouldn't be problems.

   It is wild outside at the moment - today got really hot (26C when I was driving home this afternoon) but now it is absolutely pouring with wild wind and lightning. Tonight the temperature is set to plummet to 2C so I will probably have to turn the heat back on! I did some gardening this afternoon so the transplants will get a good soaking. Once the storm has passed I will go out to see if they have survived.