(Belated) Random Five Friday

Pep prepares for his opera debut

It's actually the day after Random Five Friday, but not too late to share the goings on for this week. With both Pep and I celebrating birthdays it's been very busy. I've fallen behind in blogging, blog visits, thank you notes and phone calls. But next week will return to a slower pace and I look forward to catching up. 

1) Pep and I share a birth day and party animal Pep loves a celebration. He enjoyed all the birthday fun and especially loves his matador outfit, a gift from dear friend Lonni. Clothes make the monkey and I think Pep looks especially dashing. Please note: Pep does not condone any instances of animals being mistreated and does not plan to take up bull-fighting. However, he was inspired to listen to Carmen and is preparing for his opera debut. I think this may be Pep's wedding outfit. I'm envisioning Nessie in matching lace, with red accents. Not traditional wedding attire, but they are not a traditional couple. 

2) The first of my (very) good news to share. Last August there was a gas leak in the street outside my apartment building and the gas was turned off. Yes, that means what you think it means. No gas to cook with since last August. The boiler was converted to electricity, but the building was unable to reconnect the individual apartments. We got a notice in February that the contractors would start the reconnection process sometime at  the end of March. We all know what happened in March and I had begun to despair of ever baking in my oven again. Early this week I got a note under my door letting me know that sometime in the next month workmen will enter our apartments and begin to reconnect our gas line. It's a big project and I know there will be a lot of disruption, but I have the time to follow up on everything that will need to be done and by September -- fingers crossed -- I will be cooking and baking again. This time my cooking will have an entire new level of gratitude. 

3) The second item of my very good news. In March of 2019 -- at a routine eye examination -- I was diagnosed with macular degeneration. I went for further testing and found a medical practice that specialized in retina disorders. With very sophisticated testing my diagnosis was changed and I learned I have a macular pucker, which is much less serious than macular degeneration. I began to go for checkups every three months and take vitamins for retina disorders and added a lot of spinach and kale to my diet, per my doctor's recommendation. I missed my three month checkup in June and caught up on Monday. Thankfully, my eye is stable and since it's been stable for the last year, I am now on an every  six month schedule. I think this may have been the best news I could get for my birthday or any day. I am continuing with my vitamins and spinach, and will be hoping for the same good news then. 

4) My eye appointment was my first excursion out of my immediate neighborhood since mid-March. My second appointment was a visit to the dentist on Thursday. I don't dislike going to the dentist -- my dentist and her staff are terrific -- but usually I'm not excited. I was so happy to see everyone again and happier still that missing my regular appointment in April hadn't led to any problems. This was my view when I came out of my dentist's office. 

Looking west on West 58th Street

5) I didn't make it to Riverside Park this week, but found beautiful flowers all around, including this one in a planter at the building next door. 

 A tropical moment with this beautiful hibiscus

Thanks for joining me in a recap of the week. My trip to the dentist gave me the opportunity to visit another favorite place I have been to in months. I took lots of pictures and I'm planning to share them for Pink Saturday fun.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!