About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

V is for Viruses and Vaccinations

Several weeks ago, Lorne and I received our annual flu shots. This time, we were both eligible to receive the H1N1 VACCINATIONS ahead of some others because Lorne has diabetes and I have students coming into our home. As I'm sure you know, schools are cesspools of germs! And we didn't want to pick up anything from the kids. Some of these VIRUSES can be deadly. The H1N1 flu has already taken many lives all around the world and those most VULNERABLE are the ones with jeopardized immune systems, the young, and the elderly. Even though we had the immunizations, Lorne seemed to have picked up some little bug that's made him lethargic and, at times, very dizzy. Tests are in progress to get to the bottom of it all.

Then D#2 was babysitting her niece and nephew last week and Nephew brought home a gastrointestinal virus! First hit was Niece, whom D#2 had to clean up. That night Nephew was sick all night and had a fever of 102F and by the morning D#2 was so sick that I had to finally take her to the clinic for a gravol shot. Whatever kind of virus this is, it's pretty awful and I'm sure hoping everyone is going to be okay by Christmas. I'm also thankful that this wasn't the H1N1 virus!

On a brighter note, we currently have snow in my little VILLAGE, and it's making the season bright and cheery and Christmas seem that much closer. We've put up a bird feeder and it's extremely popular so far with finches, chickadees, and some other fat little brown things that I must try to identify. And one afternoon when I looked out, I spied a hawk sitting on the fence eyeing the feeder. I wonder if it was trying to figure out if the feeder would hold its weight or if it was preying on the little birds. Regardless, it's given me another idea of something to get Lorne for Christmas, a bird ID book. *sshhh...don't tell him!* I'll go check out the village bookshop as soon as I can.
ABC Wednesday is brought to you courtesy of Mrs. Nesbitt and you can see other participants' contributions here.

22 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Well I definitely hope to avoid Viruses and have had all the Vaccinations I need for the year -- thank goodness! Great post and I love the snow in your little village!

Enjoy your day and stay warm!! Thanks for visiting your comment, always appreciated!

Sylvia

Tania said...

Hope I not get any viruses this winter.. Great V!;-)
Have a nice evening!

Mara said...

I hope your vaccinations will protect you from all those awful viruses floating about. You don't want to spend Christmas in bed...

Rune Eide said...

I am absolutely in the risk-group, so I vote for your V (I have had to rounds of Vaccinations, so I hope all will be well).

Maggie May said...

I had the ordinary flu jab & for the first time ever felt achey afterwards. I was then told I had to have the swine flu jab because I was going into chemotherapy and that made me quite ill for a few days. I have had to give up working in a school for the same reason. cesspits of germs.
I miss it though.

Love the birds on the feeder. Pity that the bird of prey is picking off the little birds. I suppose it has to eat though. Nature is cruel.

Nuts in May

Janie said...

I'm glad you haven't caught any of those vile viruses, quite possibly thanks to vaccinations.
Cute bird feeder! I.D. books of any kind are popular around here. We use them all the time for trees, flowers, birds, insects.
Enjoy the village snow!

Mimi said...

My 2 daughters (16 and 17)decided not to have the vaccination offered in school but son (13) insists he wants it- he has a really strong immune system, so I don't think he needs it.
I saw an interesting video on line though of former Finnish minister of health and H1N1 vaccinations.

Reader Wil said...

I do hope that you will be free of viruses at Christmas and that you can enjoy those Christmas days. We have two Christmas days( 25th and 26th). Anyway good V words, Leslie!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

A friend of mine has just had a jab, not sure if it is swine flu jab or just a flu jab, but she has been ill since having it.

I do hope that it all clears up for you and the nasty viruses stay a way.. Take care xx

nancygrayce said...

Our doctor's office called while we were on vacation and said to come in to get our H1N1 shots....I called and said no thanks! We haven't had much of it here and it has not been so bad.....but I'm afraid of getting sick from the shot. Back in the 70's we had a similar flu and I had it and that's the only time I've ever had flu. So I'm taking my chances! Hope Lorne is o.k. now!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I hope everyone's better for Xmas too. Buon Natale to you and Lorne. xx

Carol said...

A good V post...everyone is talking about viruses and vaccinations these days! Love your little bird feeder, it looks like a busy place...

Powell River Books said...

Wayne and I got our H1N1 flu shots at a clinic in Powell River several weeks ago. They still aren't available to the general public here in Bellingham. - Margy

Tumblewords: said...

Ah, the vile virus. Hope things are improving in your area and are now living up to the peace and beauty of your snowy village.

Q said...

Do stay well...
Viruses can be so awful.
I love the birds...I think Mr. Hawk was looking for a small bird to have for dinner.
Enjoy the birds.
Sherry

Rose said...

Oh dear, I hope the viruses don't return to your family! Our local clinics have finally gotten in a good supply of vaccine, so it looks like I'll be off for a shot!

I bought myself a bird i.d. book last year, so I could identify some of the "fat little brown things" in my yard, too. Great fun, especially on a dreary winter day!

Roger Owen Green said...

I had not heard that the vaccinations for this particular swine flu were problematic; indeed, the official position is otherwise. I opted out because I'm getting close to the least vulnerable. I haven't had my REGULAR flu shot - which I WOULD have taken, though, because my doctor had never received any doses!

photowannabe said...

Sorry the ickys have invaded your daughters household. Its no fun. I hope you find out what Lornes difficulties are. This is no time for anyone to be sick. (but is there ever a good time?)
Cute bird feeder andbird books are a great gift.

Kim, USA said...

Hope everything is okey now at your end. Me I tried to keep away from crowded places like malls, because sometimes that is where we got some virus. Thanks for sharing this..



My ABC

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Funny, how with all the news media and the H1N1 virus thing going around, it didn't even occur to me to think of virus and vaccine! But, what excellent choices! Very timely indeed.

Jay said...

Viruses! A great V word for this time of year, indeed! OH and I are just getting over one, and my mother too.

Vaccinations? No thanks. Even though I am in a vulnerable group, not for me.

Trubes said...

I do hope you and yours are well at Christmas Leslie.
Every good wish for a wonderful festive season and a very happy and peaceful New Year,

From all of us at Chez Trubes, in a very lovely, snow covered Liverpool.

Di.xx