FIGJAM

Yes a few footballers have been known by this moniker over the years but this time it's the neighbours who are feeding us again. It seems possums love figs, so great lengths are needed to keep them out, like building a complete enclosure, with door, to envelope the tree.  It worked so well there is now a bumper crop but then what do you do. Figjam. We also got a stack of whole figs which I do not think I have seen before. As a kid my father would eat dried figs and I never could try them and that idea stuck. However the undried variety were sweet enough but the texture is hard to describe. Also the jam has all the skin left in the cookpot so I have been feeling around inside the jar to get the peel out. Feel I'm Good Just Ask Me.

Golden Rendezvous

 I was looking for some reading and came across an old fave being Alistair Maclean. Back last century everything he wrote was made into film, as the go to action author.  Richard Harris starred in this one in 1977. I can't remember if  I saw it.  The technology back then was a big part which you would laugh at now like looking for the hidden radio because the shipboard one has been smashed. The idea that a cruise ship can carry cargo in massive holds while passengers stroll about the decks seems a stretch. Think what is onboard cruise ships today. Nevertheless if you get passed the time stamp it is still worth a read.

Free Cancer to Cancer Free

You don't buy cancer but you pay a price. We had a surprise celebration that worked to a tee as we had no idea that Molly & Daniel were putting up their house for a gathering. The problem started around 2013 with a spot on the cheek that was like any other spot. A year later it was pointed out to a local doc who took to it with a laser beam device. This happened a few times and just seemed to result in a blister. If anyone wants to put a laser to your skin say no.  So after another year we went to the proper dermatologist who took one look and cut it out. This was around 2015 and with good healing that was it, nothing to be seen here, move along.  

Eight years later there is a spot once more. Who knows why there is an eight year wait. By this time we have moved to Geelong with another whole set of doctors. These ones do tests for the first time and identify a name for this growth. It is a nasty one with a corkscrew drill bit. Now the Alfred hospital is involved but they don't care about names or types only depths. It is a dinghy rabbit warren of old buildings with no easy access but it is worth it. They see that the spot is shallow like less than a mm.  They take it out again and scribe a large circle for a margin for good measure and replace it all with a skin graft.  They had to go back a few months later because the margin wasn't big enough. OK for the second time we are told that is it, all gone all removed, no further treatment. 

A year later the local doc who identified the initial spot is well aware and paying close attention to her neck. He finds a small lump and gets the Alfred involved again. This time it is a new building, state of the art, easy parking, easy access and first class service.  They are a bit sheepish. The same surgeon said she was in the 1 to 2% group who had the problem return. They are impressed with the local doc as none of them can feel the lump but tests confirm it is there.  The lymph node system is a drainage channel where something can hide. At around 2011/2012 some smart doctors invented Pembro. The name is actually a lot longer.  This cancer hides from your immune system by masking itself as a good guy. This medicine can take away the mask and let the immune system go to work. So after three doses the cancer was killed off but for good measure a neck operation was performed to remove 29 lymph nodes being thorough.  Down the track, surgeries may not be needed.  The main thing now is to wind back the immune system from its enthusiastic attacks because the problem has gone. Time to celebrate.

Wheel of Time

There is a set of books on my shelf where all 14 volumes do take up the entire shelf. It was being filmed as a multi series TV show by Amazon Prime but they cancelled it after 3 seasons. The wimps. I need some stamp album expansion space so I am endeavouring to give this lot to the Willie library here as I have not seen it on their shelves. There is a spot where donations can be placed but I want to verify they can use this lot before carting it up there.  We have been slow to return books and I have noticed a highlight pen has been used on our entries in the register so the book detective is onto us already for tardiness.

Update: We just had the librarian who happens to live directly across the way in here to give the verdict. They are overwhelmed with boxes of books. They will make an exception however these, despite the good condition, will not fit. So I can't give them away.

A one metre shelf will do this lot easily

Footsies

 Yes I am getting in touch with my feet because they do a lot of work and it seems men especially do not thing about them much. When I stubbed my toe last month that made me sit up and take notice. So that is all in the past, as our neighbour Jill has treated us to the ways and means of having a foot spa. Now this is something new to me consisting firstly of a soak then a crunchy scrub and finishing off with a moisture cream.  Now I can put my feet up.

Post Easter Feaster beach clean

There were some good beach days over Easter and the Sunday was quite busy so I was expecting  a bit of a mess.  There were some sneaky types hiding rubbish in the bushes, like the takeaway fish & chip wrappings, complete with two large tubs of sauce. Other than that the beach was quite presentable. I got the usual tide line butts, caps, rope pieces and small plastics but no bottles or cans. The breeze was strong and warm this morning so there may be more washed in tomorrow. Yesterday we spied a drone spying us. There was a sign saying survey in progress but they certainly got us in their sights. There is a spot between rocks that can cut off the breezes.

Eastern Beach

Western Beach

hidden by the lazy

Ride to the Pool

We followed up on the Winter swimming idea by checking out the local pool.  There is a huge construction for stage 2 right now that includes an indoor pool and gym. The pool will be closed soon for Winter due to construction activity. We collared a local swimmer who says that is just an excuse. She says it is also closed for wind, for rain, for school use, for lack of an attendant, any reason they can think of. It seems to me when stage 2 is open it has to stay open.  There is always plenty of water across the road if a dip is required.