If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would ask me about the cataract operation. I would say I was a bit nervous, but once it was done it was great. I would tell you about the blue and red lights I saw during the operation and you laugh and say sounds like a psychedelic experience and I say yes it was. I said the cup of tea and shortbread biscuit they gave me after was excellent and needed, and you say you can imagine. I am still using the eye drops and will see the surgeon again tomorrow for a follow up appointment. You say oh good.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea….we would talk about the poor weather this summer so far but how we still managed to have a good break. I would tell you about our trip to Hawke’s Bay, about the great food we ate, including our lunch at Craggy Range, and how much we like that part of New Zealand.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about what we have been watching recently from Silent Witness to Prime Target to Dial M for Murder to Dessert Masters. You say the desserts they make are so incredible and I agree – fantastic to watch.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the wonderful produce that we have in the summer, from sweetcorn to tomatoes, to blueberries and nectarines. You agree.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would ask you if you would like to stay for dinner and you say yes. I say there are meatballs with a tahini drizzle on offer, and you say it sounds good. I say the recipe will feature in a post later on this month as part of the BKD Bookclub. So we settle down to an evening of more conversation.

Entered in #WednesdayWords&Whimsy hosted by Min from Write of the Middle.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis.
I am pleased to learn that your cataract operation went well. Because we have to travel to another town two hours away for such an operation, the Eye Clinic there gives their faraway patients a pack containing a sandwich, a small yoghurt and a juice. Very thoughtful of them!
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Oh nice! Thoughtful.
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I adore your Moomin mug, and your meatballs with tahini drizzle look delicious.
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Thanks!
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“the blue and red lights I saw during the operation and you laugh and say sounds like a psychedelic” how stange. As a child I was given gaa (they put a mask over your mouth) to knock me out while they extracted a tooth and I thought I was in the mouth of a dragon.
We used to love watching silent witness
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Oh gosh! That must have been a bit scary!
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Cup of tea and a chat would be lovely. Glad the op went well. 😊
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Thanks! Things seem to be fine so far.
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Glad everything went well – and I love your Moomin mug! 🙂
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Thanks! We have quite a collection of Moomin mugs.
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Or a glass of wine 🍷😊. Absolutely lovely post. Is seeing the colored lights a normal part of that procedure? I hope it went well and you’re enjoying the benefits.
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Absolutely! A glass of wine would be excellent. Well, the nurse asked me afterwards what I saw, and it seems a good percentage of people do see these lights, but a friend of mine saw nothing. It is nice to see long distance again.
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Good to know as cataract surgery is in my near future. Thanks!
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I’ve wondered what it’d be like to have cataract surgery so thanks for sharing your experiences. I’m glad you’re doing well.
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If you do need it, get it done – so worth it.
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I saw lots of colored lights too, it was quite an experience, all good. They were playing oldies on the sound system, and everyone was in such a good mood.
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It is an experience isn’t it? Same with where I was – everyone was very jolly and it really helped.
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Glad your op went well. My mum mentioned the lights too. Apparently the headlamps when we drove her home were very psychedelic too.
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Thanks! I had to wear sunglasses indoors as it seemed so bright! Raining today at least.
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Meatballs with a tahini drizzle sound absolutely fantastic! I hope that your eye is healing well!
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I hadn’t made those meatballs in ages and they were really good.
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So glad the surgery went well! I have never heard of dessert masters but I am definitely going to look that show up right now. I think my young baker will love it too.
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Thanks! We are watching the Australian Dessert Masters.
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Glad the surgery went well. I too saw beautiful psychedelic colors–even did a small watercolor painting. But nothing when she did the second eye! I’m in recovery after spine surgery. Definitely no pretty colors!
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It is strange how the mind plays tricks….hope you recover from surgery quickly and well.
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I’m glad to hear the cataract op went well, I can imagine feeling nervous beforehand. Most people I know who’ve had it done have had good experiences and are happy with the results. I hope the checkup went well and you’re on the road to recovery now. All your tripping about sounds great.
Deb #Teamwwwhimsy
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Thanks Debbie – I must admit it is great to be able to read bus numbers again.
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I am impressed that you get such a prompt follow up visit to the surgeon. I have to wait four weeks for a visit to a mere optician. Still, I am down to two eye drops a day now, so that is a relief, especially for Mrs T who has to administer them.
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The follow up appointment was made the same day as the one for the surgery. I even got a phone call the day after to check all was OK. Optician – still in the waiting to make an appointment phase, but I shouldn’t have to wait for that, though obviously will for the glasses.
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I’m so glad the cataract surgery went well but the flashing lights sounds interesting?! I had cataract surgery in June 2022. I wrote a post about it on the blog. It all went fine but all the eye drops for such a long time after was a bit annoying! I am booked for another eye surgery in April – more about that on the blog soon. BTW – YES I will stay for dinner! Those meatballs with tahini sauce look delicious!! Lovely to see you here at #WWWhimsy – thanks for linking up! xo
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It seems some people see lights and others don’t – the nurse asked me if I did as well. It is early days yet so still on the antibiotic eye drops. Good luck with your surgery in April and you would be most welcome to stay for dinner!
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I’d be so scared – well done for making it through the surgery! Linda xx
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It was definitely worth it – my eyesight is so much better already.
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Everyone I know who has it done agrees 100% xx
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yes love that Moomintroll mug. I had my eye ops in 2023, and still adjusting to my ‘new’ eyesight. I was completely knocked out for the ops; do you mean you were not? Eek!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com.au
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No just a local anaesthetic for a cataract. You really don’t know what is going on…except they tell you!
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Glad it went well!
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Those meatballs with tahini drizzle look (and sound) amazing. Glad your eye op went ok and here’s wishing for super speedy healing.
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The meatballs are good – it had been a while since I had made them so think we enjoyed them even more!
Thanks re the eye…at least I don’t look horrendous any more!
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Hi Barbara, I’m glad your cataract surgery went well. I will be due for this in a couple of years I believe but at the moment they aren’t too bad. I’ve not visited Hawkes Bay, despite having visited NZ three times. We are considering another visit perhaps next year so I will put it on my list. The meatballs with tahini drizzle look delicious. I’ve never cooked with tahini so I must try. Thanks for sharing with us at #WBOYC? and have a fabulous February. Sue L xx
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Thanks – yes the cataract surgery is well worth having done when you need to.
We love Hawke’s Bay and I would highly recommend it as a place to visit.
Yes do try tahini though start small as it does have a strong flavour profile.
Hope your February is also fabulous!
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It makes me so happy to hear that the surgery went well and that your recovery is on track. Our eyes are so important. When I was younger I did not take as good care of my eyes as I should, snowboarding without sun glasses etc. Now I wear transition glasses all the time, I have three different pairs for different activities. I hope your recovery continues in the right direction and that you’ll have great vision in no time.
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