she's just saying...

Flash

I realized I've only posted about my cats, and the dog is getting jealous. So here's a little about him.

His name is Flash and he's a border collie/heeler mix. He's turning 11 this month and is as energetic as ever, just not quite as often. He's got all the border collie traits: obsessed about frisbees, a bit too smart, loyal, bossy, and OCD. He has no use for other dogs as they get in the way of his "work," which is bugging humans to play fetch ALL THE TIME. He's kind of barky and a little more protective than necessary.

He's known throughout the neighborhood for his endearing habit of barking furiously while spinning in a tight circle when people walk by. I can identify my address by saying I'm on the corner with the spinning dog, and everyone knows it immediately.

He's getting older and it's starting to show: he's crazy all day but at night he has that little old man stiffness and a limpy shoulder. He's been part of my life for almost all my years in Bend and I can't imagine living without him. 

Labels: Bend, dog, pets

tunnel vision

Hello. My name is Melissa, and I have glaucoma.

I always thought really old people got glaucoma, but there you have it. I was diagnosed several years ago, with no symptoms and normal eye pressures at the time. Two different doctors detected some optic nerve damage during my routine eye exams (2nd opinions: good). No one else in my family history has had it, and there's no identifiable cause, but it's been progressing steadily over the last several years.

Thankfully, I have no loss of vision or other symptoms yet. But I've been on a number of different eye drops that have not been able to control my increasing eye pressure, and today I had the first of several laser procedures in an attempt to slow the progress. Basically, they burned little holes in my right eye to reduce the pressure. In a few weeks I go back for treatment of the other eye.

I find it hard to admit publicly -- it just sounds so weird and how do you put it again old. But if I can get it, so can you, so go get your eyes checked. It's a 2-minute, painless test that could keep you from going blind. Is that motivation enough?

End of public service announcement. I'm going to go knit.

Labels: glaucoma, pov

Muffin and Bob

I love the crossed paws.

Labels: cats

the Orpha C. Fox

My maternal grandmother was a avid horticulturist. She raised begonias in her basement under grow lights. These are not the beautiful tuberous begonias you see in hanging planters in the summer - these were cane begonias and quite ugly, to my child's eye.

She actually cloned a new begonia which the Begonia Society named the Orpha C. Fox in her honor. One greenhouse on the web describes it as: Striking med/large dark leaves with large silver markings on a compact 'Angel Wing'. Almost constant pink flowers. Choice.

I love that use of the word "choice." It reminds me of her, discussing her plants with my mother and aunts.

Here is a shot of my Orpha C. Fox, growing happily in my bedroom window.

Labels: plants and flowers

coral flower

IMG_0062
Originally uploaded by Meltrier

Playing with the camera settings. Love this little Canon Elph!

Labels: plants and flowers

desert garden

desert garden
Originally uploaded by Meltrier

A corner at the resort - beautiful landscaping and architecture.

Labels: plants and flowers, vacation

coral bouganvilla

coral bouganvilla
Originally uploaded by Meltrier

I love this color of bouganvilla.

Labels: plants and flowers