Monday 29 April 2019

 Dentist apt to a point

On my way to the dentist today I missed the requisite 9:25 bus, no car you see. It was the bus driver's fault for not putting up the correct route number.  I phone my dentist and we change the appointment to afternoon. I need two buses to get there from home. I'm not complaining. Transport Canberra runs a good service for the city. The bus fleet has recently received new, air conditioned blue buses, with  interior of dimpled aluminium panels, comfortable seating, Next-Stop buttons everywhere and three levels of seating. You might ask what kind of person doesn't own a car in Australia, in Canberra for heaven's sake. Well, there are a few of us. And we enjoy half-filled buses, except when people are going  to or coming from their workplace. Most people have a car, some folk use a scooter or motor bike. There very few cars older than five years. 

I did have a car a mid size 4WD 17 inch hubs useful vehicle sold it to a needy friend who had more use for it than my good self. Meantime I'm annoyed at myself for missing the 9:25 although the wrong route number was showing I'm too slow recognising that fact to stop the driver damn. OK so I phone or at least I try phone dentist while at the bus terminal using my mobile sweet young attractive secretary for she is this I've had drills and needles there before my 80 y.o. teeth I'm amazed to say are still 'hanging in there' I'm not down to biscuits soaked in weak tea just yet hello says her hello says I, I hear her perfectly in my bi-lateral hearing-aids she does not hear me I go home and use landline I 'read the manual', better known as RTFM in certain circles, the manual for my small matchbox size wireless microphone it is on ok I had forgotten to switch on my mobile's Bluetooth in addition I need to have the microphone--kindly on permanent loan to me by audiologist--placed strategically on my good person for it to work.

Before I leave the terminus to alleviate my frustration at missing early appointment I pound ear drums two bus-people there to help during the first day of radical new bus timetables routes around city www.transport.act.gov.au also one driver all of whom listen with understanding then got on with their respective days.

I read short article New York Times weekly newsletter sent me  <nytdirect@nytimes.com> 23 April 2019 'How to be a nose breather' well I've always tried to do that but my dairy love does clog up nasal passages somewhat I did abstain for three days prior not enough next time a week at least - sitting in the good lady dentist's chair watching ABC children's program screen on ceiling while she bends over me two shiny best quality stainless steel implements of torture poked into my wide open two needle-numbed mouth she does her best to save aged pensionable teeth bright light in my eyes dentist assistant smiles pokes a suction tube between cheek and gum while one of dentist's steel things drills similtaneously squirts water splashes onto my spectacles dribbles down back of neck meantime I do as New York Times suggests breath through nose ok ok I am my chest heaves up now down I try to get more air in through innocent nose built for purpose mouth throat don't work too well in this situation.

All done says she I spring out of the chair not ha ha I make a joke for I am bent over a for a moment or two of time she shows me before and after photos of the two teeth filled cavities with white stuff teeth look brand new on screen like pristine showroom car paint I am pleased see you in six months says she I agree and pay charming secretary $$$ worth every cent I walk to bus stop crowded with 3pm school-exiting children some of whom give my white-bearded face a curious glance.

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Monday 30 April 2012

Garlic

Allicin is the most powerful medicinal compound derived from garlic and provides the greatest reputed health benefits.

Garlic health benefits have long been claimed and has been used extensively in herbal medicine for centuries.

It has been considered by many to be a herbal wonder drug, with a reputation in folklore for preventing or treating everything from common colds to fatal diseases.


Allicin is produced when garlic is finely chopped or crushed. The finer the chopping and the more intensive the crushing, the more allicin is generated and the stronger the medicinal effect.

We have a cat, originally named Alison, but considering that her nocturnal wanderings down the alleyways near us, and aware of her sometimes evil exploits, we've rechristened her Alley Sin, which give her a strong connection to one of our favourite flavouring food, garlic.


'gâr'lic n. (Plant of genus Allium with) bulbous strong-smelling pungent-tasting root used as flavouring in cookery; hence ~ka. (esp. of smell). [OE gārleac (gār spear; see LEEK)]' ...

so says my 1980 Concise Oxford Dictionary (New Edition) on page 437, strong smelling and pungent tasting, yes, my word, so it is, in a raw state but fried in butter, hmmm, what a lovely aroma, 

although my good also Oxford Concise says on page 51, 'arō'ma n. Fragrance, sweet smell; subtle pervasive quality. [f. L f. Gk arōma -atmos spice]', 

well, sweet and subtle, not sure, but at least it says 'spice' ...