However, home was brightened considerably when 100 sweetly-scented narcissi arrived - a beautiful present from one of my sons.
Benji provided some drama - after needing 2 visits to the vet (and a chunk of cash out of my purse) for attention to his chewed tail, needing antibiotics, steroids and a cone of shame, I was then advised that he needed urgent dental work. So once recovered from the tail mishap, he went in for a full day to have 14 loose or decayed teeth removed. Poor lad. He was very groggy for about 36 hours and came home with more antibiotics and a week's worth of painkillers. Soft food for a few days, but then I realised that he never chews his little biscuits - he simply vacuums them up! WHOOSH! and they are straight down his throat . . . so he was soon back to his normal diet.
The vet reckoned his loose teeth were as a result of a soft diet in his early years: judging by his reaction to a scraped plate, I suspect he was fed on his elderly owners leftovers, which might also explain his former obesity.
He is back to normal again now apart from his daily Dentastix which I think would be a bit hard on his stitched gums. He does have some teeth left (about 20) but it's taking a bit of getting used to arranging his tongue and mouth around them.
Last week, I had my annual Eye Assessment to check that diabetes hadn't damaged them (still awaiting the results from my surgery but hopeful that all is well) and the car has thankfully passed its MOT without too much in the way of repairs.
So we're all fit and well!!! Here's to some sunshine so that we can get out and about - with camera.
