It came, sniffed and gobbled up…

Posted bySarahPosted inArt, PhotographyTags:, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

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It came,…

 

It´s been a long time since I could go out for a walk, over 5 weeks now that I have been battling an infection of my sinuses.

I normally don´t run to the doctor, so in the beginning, I waited for two weeks to see if it would get better. It didn’t. So, I gave up, sat in the crowded waiting room of my GP and have been described an antibiotic. This I took reluctantly but in the hope it would help – which it didn’t. So I went again to see my doctor who by now didn’t want to be bothered anymore by me and send me to a specialist.

There I was told that the meds I had been given were much too low in dosage but let´s just see if I can´t get better just like that, shall we. Oh, and come back it if doesn’t get better. (This was after 4 weeks of being sick.)

So I went home again. After a couple of days the pain in my sinuses was so bad that I nearly crawled back to the specialist where I started crying after being told that the doctor couldn’t possibly see me this week, maybe next. It was a humiliating experience and I´m not proud of it but couldn’t really help it, the pain had become unbearable.

Luckily one of the assistants did have a heart after all and quickly moved me to doctor (this time it was the one who owned the practice). After one quick look he lowered the patient´s chair down with me on it, sprayed something really nasty in my nose, and then – BAM! – hammered away to widen the opening between my nose and the affected sinus. (Its normal size of diameter is that of a thin needle, now it´s more like knitting needle.)

It all went so fast that the narcotic didn’t even had begun working properly by then. I was terribly shocked and the pain was excruciating.

The doc told me that he had to it for different reasons, one of which that it´s not advisable when the mucus and stuff breaks free on its own and into something where it doesn´t belong – like into the cavity of my eye and thus into my brain. He described me more, and much stronger antibiotics, and I went home, profoundly bleeding from my nose, sitting in the underground train with people watching at me in horror.

Apart from going to the doctors I stayed home the whole time, lying in bed and hoping, hoping, hoping…

 

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it sniffed…

Yesterday I took the last pill and decided it was time for a walk as my legs didn’t feel so wobbly anymore.

I went to the park and as it was slightly raining, not many people were around.

Who was around though, were my little friends, the squirrels!

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and gobbled up…

 

As usual I took some walnuts with me and wasn’t I lucky? Six squirrels came to me!

All but one took the offered nuts and then hopped quickly back into the surrounding trees. This last one stayed with me and let me photograph it before it too decided, that it was time for a little nap.

That was my first walk in a long time and what a very lovely one it was!

 

Take care and stay healthy!

 

P.S. The title is kind of borrowed of Julius Caesar´s famous quote: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” 😉

 

20170306_120558-02 Kopie
and then it gobbled up some more.

Published by Sarah

Artist & Illustrator

72 thoughts on “It came, sniffed and gobbled up…”

  2. I feel so bad for you having this long lasting flu-cold! I usually think of this combination when it lasts this long, Sarah.
    The pretty red squirrel is a treat for sore eyes. We have gray ones and light brown squirrels but rarely have I seen these beautiful ones!! Hugs xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Robin. It´s now finally getting better I think (after 6 weeks!). I even got to do some house cleaning today! Yay! 😉
      The squirrels are always a delight, I´m sure you would love them as much as I do. 🙂 Hope you are well? I have a lot of catching up to do with bog reading… Wish you a wonderful Sunday! Huge hugs! 🙂 xxx

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  3. Well, you already now how I feel about that ordeal at the doctor…brrrrrrr
    I am glad the squirrels came to comfort you and help you forget for a little while that traumatic experience. If it doesn’t go better, mail me, cause I now a good natural medicine for opening up your sinuses.
    Big hug! XxX

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    1. Thank you, Patty! You´re right in calling it traumatic I think, my thoughts still drift to that experience from time to time and I need to rein them in ´cause it´s just been too ghastly.
      It seems I´m getting better now, did already enjoy two more walks 🙂 Curious though what it might be that helps opening up those sinuses… 😉
      Wish you a very lovely weekend! Big hug! xxx

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  4. Hi Sarah, glad you’re better and out to see your little friends! How lovely to enjoy nature and the parks for walks I’m sure. This would inspire you as you are into art and photography… l enjoy your works of art! Keep up the artistry, Sarah. 🙂 Glad to have met you and best wishes, Iris 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Iris! 🙂 You´re right, the squirrels and the walks are a great source of inspiration for me. I hope to make a painting of them as soon as I feel up to sitting at my easel again 🙂
      Wish you a very beautiful weekend, my new friend! 🙂 Glad to have met you here too!! 🙂 xxx

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  6. Wow, that sounds awful and I’m so sorry you went through that! I’ve had sinus infections as well, but never had to endure that kind of treatment. It seems he could have at least waited until the pain killer took effect. I do hope that you are better soon.
    And thanks for the photos of the squirrels! I’ve never seen one that color and with the tufted ears!

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Ann! 🙂 I´ll keep my fingers crossed that you won´t have to undergo a similar treatment 😉
      There are many lovely red squirrels in Europe to find, though the North American gray squirrels already found their way to Britain somehow and threaten the native ones as food rivals. since they´re so much bigger the red ones are endangered there.
      The tufted ears are gorgeous, aren´t they? But soon they will change fur and in summer they loose those tufts 😉

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      7. Ha ha ha. No doubt. I need a new sleeve for my laptop and found a site that makes one with an image you upload. I am having one made with an image from the waterworks. Very happy 😊

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      8. Oh, that sounds fantastic!!! I totally envy you! It will look fabulous!! I also need a new sleeve and am thinking of making one out of felt… if it works I´m going to post it 😉 Have a great weekend!

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  9. Those little squirrels are precious! It’s the “little” things in life that can truly brighten and lift our spirits. I am so sorry that you have been so sick, Sarah. I have sinus issues at times, but nothing as to what you have been through. Here’s to a happy and healthy spring!

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    1. Thank you so much, Lana! 🙂 And I totally agree with you about the little things in life! I´ve had a lot of sinus infections when I was a kid but nothing as serious as this one. I can´t recommend it 😉
      Take care and have a lovely day, my friend! May spring be upon as all soon! 🙂

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  10. Oh horrors! What an ordeal, but I’m relieved you are reaping some benefits from that last ‘treatment’. I don’t think I would have had the guts to go through all that, but it seems like you weren’t given time to even think about it. Yikes!

    Those squirrels are very different from our North American species of squirrels…those tufted ears are huge and their bodies even seem larger…or maybe it’s all those walnuts you keep feeding them! 😀
    Take care
    peace

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    1. Thank you, Laura! And you´re spot on! He didn’t give me any time to think about it! In fact, I wasn’t even sure what was going to happen, I thought maybe he would use a mini vacuum cleaner or something 😉 But maybe it was for the best, had I known what was about to happen, I would not have been so calm on that stretcher!
      Actually our red squirrels are much smaller than the North American ones! Maybe it´s because I was so close to it, that it appears that way. Also they´re still wearing their winter coat of fur and I also suspect it might have been a pregnant female 😉
      Wish you a lovely week! Take care! 🙂

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  11. I’m so glad you are starting to feel better. Your description of the infection is even worse than I had imagined. Going out for a walk sounds like a great tonic, and finding the squirrels a real bonus. Your photos of them are lovely. I hope you continue to recover well. Big hugs and healing thoughts xxxxx 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Su! Reading your lovely messages and receiving your hugs the last weeks helped a great deal! 😄 It’s odd how words and a sympathetic ear can make you feel better 😚😚😚🙏💜

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  12. Sarah, I am very sorry to hear about your illness and certainly am glad you are better. it is amazing what walks will do to lift our spirits, especially when the critters are out and about. The squirrels are very cute and adorable – love the photos! 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Terry! Yes, walks and critters are perfect comfort for our souls and bodies, aren´t they? Did you have any luck feeding the squirrels in your vicinity yet? I remember you tried to seduce them with m&m´s 😉

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      1. The squirrels here seem to be reluctant to be fed – maybe they are a little to wild? I am enjoying my walks here as the weather is becoming warmer and nicer – Spring is right around the corner. Happy day dear Sarah, hope your health continues to improve for you. 🙂

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      2. If the squirrels find enough good food, they are indeed a bit reluctant to be fed, which is a good thing of course. But as long as they come near enough to be watched, that´s also nice, isn´t it? 🙂
        Is the spring season a long one in Florida? I thought you were already headed for summer! 🙂

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  13. Oh Sarah! I was a little worried you hadn’t posted for a while and wondered if your sinus issue was to blame but that sounds awful. But. All in the past now 🙂 so hopefully your fit and firing for Spring and these photos are tremendous proof that you are 🙂 And I think we’ve all been a little guilty of shedding a tear to get to the front of the queue. I do it every week in Aldi! 😉

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      1. Yes, but at least there’s no nasal exploration involved, well not yet anyway 🙂 I love Aldi, own an Audi and avidly read your blog. How long before I stop laughing when your football team gets beat (not often admittedly) 🙂

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      2. So you definitely earned your “A´s” then 😉
        Audi is a very good car I believe… though I actually know very little or nothin about them, except that I would like to have green Mini one day 😉

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      3. When I was little one of my big brothers had a blue mini. I loved seeing that car as it usually meant he was home. One day you’ll have your mini, Sarah 🙂

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      4. That’s a lovely memory, Phil. And thank you for having faith in me and my mini project 😉
        P.S. The Count Harecula story and your reading will be released in a few days – sorry I didn’t stick to my plan on doing so last Sunday…

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      5. Your mini project will be a mega mini project before you know it. 🙂 I guessed your health issues had delayed The Count but then as I’ve done all the work I’m a little surprised he has been lingering this long… 😉

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      6. Two reasons: I wanted to do a little trailer like you for to increase people’s appetite 😉 and second I didn’t feel up to to reply to all those comments that were bond to come because I couldn’t look down on the keyboard without yelping from pain. Please don’t be dissapointed in me!!

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      7. I don’t think anyone could be disappointed in you, Sarah. 🙂 Except your readers hoping to hear your voice and getting short changed 😉

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      9. I’m used to being associated with bad so no worries there, but I’m sure it won’t be. 🙂 I’m just heading out so will try and have a quick look before I go and let you know what I think. 🙂

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  14. Oh Sarah! What a dreadful experience. I’m simply horrified. All I hope is that this rather violent method has actually done the trick and you can now really recover. And with the help of those darling squirrels to lift your spirits, you feel up to being outside and breathing (albeit uncomfortably just now) fresh air. Get well and I send you much love for the speediest of recoveries. xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, dear Osyth!! 🙂 I´m still not sure if it did help, have to keep waiting and see, but I´m trying to distract myself as much as possible 🙂 Those squirrels definitely help lifting my mood everytime I see them! They´re just so cute and lovely and I love their sweet little wet squirrely kisses when they take the nut from my hand 😀
      How´s the house building coming along? Did you have good weather last time?
      Huge hugs and much love! xxx 🙂

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      1. I cannot imagine a better tonic for recovery than a little wet squirrely kiss on the palm! I do hope it did do the trick and that you will climb back to full health well and quickly. The house Reno is progressing (we are off again on Friday til Monday) and the weather was clement meaning I didn’t have to wear a hat and socks to sleep in! I will write a piece next week but it is entirely out of kilter. I have not wanted to write the standard house building or improving diary but rather to try and make a story out of it that doesn’t rely on real time. I return the huge hugs (is there ANYTHING better than a hug? Possibly a squirrely kiss!) and barrels of love to you xxx

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      2. Thank you, Osyth! 🙂 There really are not many things better than those kisses 😉 I always admire their bravery. You can´t imagine how careful they are when they´re taking the nut, like they don´t want you to be afraid of them!! So unbelievably cute!
        Ah, I´m os relieved the weathergods showed mercy and that you could sleep without looking like bundled up Russian baby 😉 Now that you´ve told what you´re planning to write, I´m even more eager to read it!!! As nice as those “normal” house building diaries can be (my aunt did one too), a story will be so much better 🙂
        Hope the Reno will progress well and fast! Squirrely kisses and bear hugs to you! xxx

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      3. I am breathless with delight at the idea of squirrels nibbling from my palm. I have to find some and tempt them! Funny you should reference Russia – I have a deep-rooted and highly unfashionable passion for the art, culture, history and soul of Russia. If you want to get ahead of the game on the house posts I have already written 6 but I stopped when I was in the US and not working on the place because it seemed wrong to be ignoring where I was. If you type Coup de Coeur into the search box it should bring the posts up. The first two are really introductions but you might enjoy them whilst nursing that sore nose of yours – not so good as squirrely kisses but something to idle away a dull moment or too. Much love from a rather windy France xxx

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      4. How could love and passion for something so wonderful ever be unfashionable? I actually considered learning Russian two years ago because I really like the sound of it and am fascinated by this huuuuge country, its beautiful nature, varied cultures… well you know what I mean 😉 In the end, I optioned for French though, because I hoped it would be a bit easier for me having learned latin at school and Spanish at uni. I can´t say that my French is any good though, I´m still learning 😉 But I have that dream of learning Russian someday too… especially because I prefer reading literature in the original than in sometimes unlucky translations, and I want to read more Russian literature than I so far have done (Anna Karenina, War and Peace, Eugen Onegin, The Idiot).
        Oh, that´s super! I´ll follow your breadcrumbs and search for those house posts this weekend!!!
        Have a stunningly beautiful weekend with less wind! 🙂 xxx

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      5. I learned Russian in school for 6 years and my father learned alongside me … I remember him taking a year to read War and Peace in its original Russian. For me it sparked a love affair that has stuck with me …. it is an extraordinary place. I visited nearly three years ago for just 10 days (Moscow and St Petersburg) and I cannot wait to return. I would love to spend months there, actually. I am absolutely with you that reading books in their original language is so much better. Understanding the subtle nuances intended by the author gives further texture, however good the translation. I wrote several posts when I was there and published them, slightly edited a couple of years ago. It was just an exercise in having a calling card here in France really but it was pleasing to publish a book here and about Russia somehow amused me! Xxx

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      6. Oh, you speak Russian! How wonderful! And it´s truly lovely that you and your dad learned it at the same time. That´s so special. And he has my utmost respect for having read War and Peace in the original, this volume is already a bit terrifying in your own language, isn´t it? Although I actually love books with more than 1000 pages if they are well written 🙂
        Moscow and St Petersburg are also on my list – the Erimitage must be brilliant! The only thing (apart from the obvious one that is politics 😉 ) that makes me a bit uneasy is the food – I´m not so sure it is to my taste at all… But then, what is the Vodka for, eh? 😉
        Hope you´ll get the chance to live there for a while, maybe do also some hiking in the far east of the country which is what I would love to do! 🙂 xxx

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      7. Oh the little dumplings are divine and if you do go then eat Armenian and Georgian food and you won’t go wrong. Promise! Dad was proud of that achievement – I raise a glass of Vodka to him on his birthday and deathday every year. xxx

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      8. Thanks for the culinary tips! I´ve heard it´s supposed to be very good but haven´t tried it yet. It´s great to have things to look forward to, isn´t it? I will raise a glass of Vodka in honor of your dad next time I´m going to reread War and Peace – and two if I manage to do so in Russian 😉 xxx

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  15. My goodness Sarah, you have had a time of it, haven’t you? I’d never heard of a sinus infection lasting that long and then the story just got worse. I’m very glad you’re beginning to recover. First your eye and now this…no more getting sick for the rest of the year at least. 🙂 I’m sure the squirrels were happy to see you.

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    1. Thank you, Oglach, I hope that this was it for this year too! 😂 I know what you mean, normally those infections only last for 1 or 2 weeks, right?
      I’m not sure if the squirrels were happy to see me or just the nuts though – I suspect the latter 😉 But I was happy to see them and feel those tiny squirelly kisses when they took the nuts 😄

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