Thursday, March 22, 2018

Complete indifference.


Cold this morning. Sophie returns from her pre-breakfast constitutional. She's bearing unmistakable signs of enthusiastic mole hunting on her feet. Her muzzle isn't looking too pristine either.


When informed that '' mud on the paws cannot lie " she feigns innocence then indifference. 7:15 and the family diva has already made her mark on the new day. She does her best to avoid having her face washed.


The Old Farmer is waiting outside his front door, suitcase in hand, at 9:30. He'd asked to be picked up at 9:45 and, as is the way with old folk, was determined to be ready on time. I quickly throw on a jacket and take the car over to pick him up. En route to the hospital he comments on 1) the comfort of the seats ( although not as good as the ones in the venerable Mercedes ) 2) the variety of the seats power adjustments ( the venerable Mercedes is of an age where power seats were unheard of and 3) the GPS system. This he studies intently.

At the hospital he refuses my offer to carry his bag and ensure that registration runs smoothly. '' No thank you. I'll look after myself from here ". At the door he briefly tuns, smiles and gives me a curt wave. An old soldiers independence.


After lunch my mobile rings. It's The Old Farmer. He's been prepped and shaved in readiness for the operation only to be told at the last minute that the wrong sized replacement hip has been sent to the hospital. He's wheeled back from the theatre to the ward and then discharged. I find him waiting forlornly in the hospital reception area.

He's booked in again for April 5th. Thank heavens the surgeon checked the part before the anaesthetist got to work.

The French air traffic controllers are on strike. Weekend visitors from Paris have to cancel their trip.

This delay gives the ladies of the Women's Cooperative more time to finish their decorating. They are all here today including the three who think they're going down with a cold.  They are not exuding joy. Bob and Angus keep busy outside.





9 comments:

MOPL said...

OH My giddy aunt......... the old farmer was very lucky indeed. And he gets to have another ride in the VOLVO! Such wonderful neighbours at ROFH.

Taste of France said...

I can only imagine the OF's competing emotions--chagrin at having been all psyched up and prepped for the procedure vs. relief that a mistake wasn't made IN his hip.

Coppa's girl said...

With all that mud on Sophie's paws and muzzle, was her mole hunting expedition successful, I wonder?
How frustrating for the Old Farmer, he will have to re-schedule those trips he'd planned in the motor home.

WFT Nobby said...

Oh the poor farmer.
(Are you sure that wasn't an NHS hospital....?)

liparifam said...

Oh, good grief! How absurd. However, on the plus side, the second time around may not seem quite as stressful and scary for him...

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
What??!! A wrong size nut for a car wheel, I could imagine - but a replacement hip? As has been said, thank heavens it was discovered timely. And thank heavens he has you. YAM xx

Susan said...

The poor guy. I hope they can compensate him in some nice way.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

How frustrating for the Old Farmer, but I guess it can be considered a "dry run" for next time.

I had to grin at your comment on my latest post because it's not that far off, except for the emergency responders.
Things do have a tendency to come to bit of a standstill when we get snow. Below is a link from Washingtonian about the snow-day in DC yesterday. There was also the annual snowball fight on DuPont Circle. It was a good day for all!

https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/03/21/photos-a-snow-day-in-dc-in-march/

Beau and Mom said...

I love the pictures of Diva Sophie with her muddy paws and muzzle. What a Sweetheart.
I also enjoyed your comment about how the Old Farmers was out and ready to be picked up 15 minutes early! It's so true older folks don't want to ever be late and take commitments seriously. I'm also thankful they realized their error before surgery... now he gets another ride in your fine car. U are the best neighbor, Angus. Hugs to All