Hi everyone, or hi to the few that are still following my blog after such a LONG absence 😉 ...So much has happened since last March, plus I had some trouble with the blog, some sort of privacy certificate (or lack thereof) that kept popping up and probably scaring off everyone but me…But the issue seems to have been fixed now, although the last post I can see on my computer is from more than a year ago (July 2024!), whereas on my cellphone the blog is perfectly updated. Mysteries.

Anyway, as you know, I had cataract surgery at the end of February on my left eye and then at the beginning of April, on my right eye. Everything is fine, except I have developed a bunch of what are called floaters in my eyes, annoying little “critters” of different shapes and forms that refuse to disappear. Oh well. I am learning to live with them and hope that time will take care of them for good.

But the amazing thing is that I can see without glasses, or rather, I need glasses to drive, play cards with friends, and watch TV, but I can move around the house, feed the cats, be at my computer and so on without glasses. Such a thrill. Well, except for the pesky floaters, which are bothering me right now, in fact.

Let’s see…more updates. Our 7.5 year old kitty, Pandora, has had a bunch of health issues. I won’t go into the gory details, but everything began last February (yep, around the time of my first cataract operation!), and then in July she was diagnosed with diabetes. Long story, I will spare you, but those were scary times. She now needs insulin twice a day, plus she takes a few other medicines for other, minor (at this point) issues. She’s a real trooper, I must say.

And she has been doing well, so well, in fact, that last month Stefano and I were able to go on the holiday I had planned months ago before we knew about Pandora’s health issues. Of course, we would have canceled our trip if it had been necessary…our cats come first!

But no, we managed to leave for Ireland (love love love!) where we spent almost three weeks driving from Dublin to Galway…A fabulous trip…This time we did the northern coast (a few years ago, we did the southern loop, from Dublin almost to Galway). So we have now completed the circle.

Before leaving, I was incredibly excited about seeing the Giant’s Causeway, but that was a big disappointment because of the huge crowds…people climbing all over those amazing basalt columns, yelling and acting super silly…The annoying flocks of noisy and disrespectful tourists definitely ruined the Causeway for me. I really think they should restrict access to that UNESCO site.

However, in a sense, Stefano and I were lucky, since before leaving for Ireland we had booked a guided walking tour of the cliffs leading from Dunluce Castle to the Causeway. That was a hard trek at times, huff puff, up and down cliffs with amazing views, but oh so worth it…And no crowds up there, at least!

Looking back at all the places we visited, I think my favorite was Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. We had booked an off-road guided tour, and our guide was simply amazing, full of stories to tell, plus the history of the islands and of the Gaelic language (he is also a teacher of Gaelic), and other fun stuff. He was great! Anyway, if you go to Inishmore, I do recommend that you book that tour.

In case you are wondering, by the way: back home, the cats were well-looked after: they had three cat sitters and two more on the side, if needed, and I was in touch with the sitters at least twice a day. Not one problem.

Let’s see, what else? Ah yes, I had blood tests at the beginning of July, and all is well. I’m stable. And that’s always the best news…!!!

I should stop for now, but I did want to reassure everyone that I am fine and dandy, just busy with life stuff. And now that my blog has been fixed, thank you!, I should be back more frequently. Take care, everyone! Ciao!

Well, today is my birthday. How old am I? Hmmm, let me think….Wait a sec, I have almost got it….Just kidding, hehe, I know how old I am: 63.

63 and counting! After my diagnosis, I didn’t think I’d make it to my mid 40s (when all I knew about myeloma was, well, alarming and scary…not to say that myeloma isn’t scary, of course, but I don’t think about it as much as I did in the past…), so every year that passes is a HUGE deal for me…well, for all of us! Birthdays must be celebrated!

And so this morning, even though this is going to be the HOTTEST day for Florence thus far this summer, I picked up a close friend, and we had a lovely breakfast in one of our favorite pastry shops.

A brief anecdote: as we were walking toward the pasticceria (pastry shop), I noticed a woman (daughter) trying desperately to hold up an elderly woman (her 94 year old mother). She, the daughter, was really struggling, and they were both slipping to the ground. We rushed over to help. A few minutes later one of their neighbours brought out a chair, and we lowered the lady into it. We chatted while waiting for their taxi to arrive. Once we got her mother inside, the daughter blessed us, which was so sweet…I’m an atheist, but I certainly don’t mind getting blessed. So there you go: I even got blessed on my birthday!

Now I’m at home under the ceiling fan, at my computer (planning our trip to Scotland in August). And this evening Stefano and I are going out to dinner. No cellphones. He promised. 😉 Perfect.

Anyway, all is well here. And soon we’ll be in Scotland for 3 weeks…Can’t wait…! Take care, everyone, and…birthday hugs from Firenze, Italia!

So much has happened that I hardly know where to begin. Well, okay, obviously, from our fabulous trip to London. Oh that was so much fun! We walked at least 12 kilometres a day. London has a very good transportation system, but you miss a lot unless you walk…and so we walked.

While Stefano and our friends had to return to Florence after 4 days to go back to work, I stayed on for three more days, so I had a full week in London, alone. I returned to Florence on our 25th wedding anniversary. Wow, 25 years (not counting the two years plus that we lived together)! We’re going to celebrate our anniversary properly next month, with a trip to see our beloved puffins and other sea birds at the same place we were last year, north of Edinburgh (isle of May plus Bass Rock for the gannets).

Here’s a big bit of news: we are back up to eight cats again. No kidding. I really didn’t want another cat, especially a KITTEN…

But she was a gift, and we couldn’t say no to that little face, see below. She’s a teeny tiny Maine Coon female…

She has a few problems, caused by being sort of crushed while in the uterus by a bigger brother who was born dead, unfortunately, so, for example, her tail is broken in two places and looks more like a fluffy rabbit tail than anything else. I hope that won’t be an issue (cause her any pain, I mean) as she gets older, but for now it doesn’t stop her from all the usual kitten zoomies, not at all…

More importantly, she has a few digestive issues, again caused by her having been crushed. We can’t feed her dry food, for example, because she will spit it up afterwards. To avoid that, I prepare smoothies for her–a mixture of blended dry food for kittens and water. So far, so good. No throw-ups. Again, I hope that this is a problem that will be solved in time, as she grows older. Too early to tell now…

We named her Poppy, after Poppy Pomfrey, the Healer in Harry Potter. 😉 She is really adorable, a little bundle of joy, quite small for her age but with a huge personality. The other cats have accepted her, even though, for the first few days, most of them hissed and even growled at her, probably hoping that if they made a lot of noise, she would disappear. But no, she didn’t disappear, and now they seem to be okay with the new addition to the family.

I even saw Petunia licking her head the other day, and Puffin follows her around like a puppy…

She has certainly given the other cats something to think about… 🙂 

For example, they don’t sleep as much during the day because they’re too busy watching her play, the way we watch a fascinating TV series…So funny.

Hmmm, she looks huge in the first photo…but I assure you, she’s tiny…

Oh dear, I have to go now. I hope everyone is doing well…please keep in touch with me! Ciao!

Stefano and I and a couple of our closest friends are going to London for a few days. While they, including Stefano, will be returning on Sunday because they have to go back to work, I will be staying on until the middle of next week. Yes, three full days by myself! I already have a full schedule…so much to do and see in one of my favorite cities on the planet.

Fun fun fun!

I will publish a post after I return. Until then, I am sending everyone a big hug…Take care and keep smoldering! 🙂

I’m usually soooo careful when I leave the house…If I’m going to be in a crowded situation, such as a supermarket, I pull out and wear an FFP2 mask. I don’t shake hands or kiss anyone, even my closest friends. They all know and respect that…

But on Sunday, March 10, I let down my guard, unfortunately. We went to a friend’s house, and when we left, I gave her a hug, just as she was telling me that she didn’t feel that great (Margaret, duh!). We pulled apart, but the damage was done. The following day she came down with a very bad “flu” (or whatever it was), and that hug, plus hanging out at her house on Sunday, meant that I did, too.

I woke up on Monday with a very high fever (on Tuesday night it went up to 40.4° Celsius), and other symptoms that I shall spare you. 😉 But mainly, the high fever was the biggest annoyance. I was really sick that week…then, slowly, I got better, and I’m absolutely fine now. This “thing,” whatever you want to call it (flu or viral bad stuff) is going around, my doctor told me. And, he added, it takes a while to get back on your feet. No kidding.

Anyway, all is (quite) good now. That’s the important thing. I’ve read some interesting things lately, but I need to rest some more before writing a serious post…I just wanted to publish a wee post on the blog today. And wee it is! 🙂 

Take care, everyone, and wear a protective mask in crowded situations, even though it’s no longer mandatory… Better safe than sorry…!!!

Hello everyone! Time is really flying…it’s Xmas, already??? How did that happen? Anyway, I just wanted to wish you all a very happy and healthful and peaceful holiday…

Just about an hour ago I read some interesting news on the curcumin front, positive news…unfortunately, I don’t have time to write about it now. But I will be looking into it, you can be sure of that…

In the meantime…

Buone Feste, Happy Holidays! Margaret 🙂

TAB sent this (see below) as a comment to his older news post, but I decided to put it in a post so more readers will see it immediately. TAB, you are amaaaaazing! A big hug! Margaret. 😀 

Here’s his message:

TAB’s Update December 8, 2023
Alive and well at age 82 after dealing with MM (IgA Lambda) for 25 years. I have been off Velcade treatment for a year. I am feeling good with no symptoms. I am taking 6 grams of curcumin, resveratrol, vitamins C and D, selenium and a multivitamin. My blood work is good but M spike is rising. I will probably be going back on Velcade in February 2024 if the M spike keeps rising. My report is available if anyone is interested in a copy. tabbat841@outlook.com