I can see clearly now...I pay a visit to Marlise Optometrists in Linden

About halfway between 7th and 8th Streets on 4th Avenue in Linden

lies a rather unassuming shopping 'centre'.

Known mainly for a camera repair shop and a second-hand vinyl record shop,

this is also the home of Marlise Optometrists.

I have been walking past her practice for several years on my way 

to the tattoo parlour that used to be here, but has recently moved.

So, it was one one of those trips that I decided to stop in,

have my eyes tested and possibly get new frames as well.

Optometrists and dentists are usually the 

last to be visited when there are issues with either eyes or teeth.

These tend to be left to the point where there needs to be a major intervention

to right the wrongs that have been left unattended for months if not years.

A rather clever way to not only recycle old plastic containers,

but a novel way to show off frames and interesting head coverings...

I am assuming that this model was wearing contact lenses?

The practice is bright, airy and uncluttered. A testament to the professional nature

of both Marlise and her staff. 

I was warmly welcomed and seeing that I had made an appointment

I was ushered into the consulting room without having to fill out reams of paperwork.

While chatting with the staff, I chose to confuse myself with the

choice of frames on display. 

At the end of the day, it all comes down to cost I suppose?

And the cost is subjective...

But I do wish that Medical Aid schemes would have a more 

realistic view of the amount they will cover, especially, if like me,

you need multi-focal lenses.

I have had these frames for several years

as my lens prescription had not changed

and I felt that it was an unnecessary expense to change for the sake of change.

But time catches up with us all...as I was about to discover.

An optometrist with only one pair of glasses?

Yes, Marlise tells me that she has only one pair.

I would have thought that she might have a pair for every day of the week

Or perhaps for smart or casual wear...

It was Marlise that took my medical history, the medication that I am on

as well as all the pertinent information that I find time-consuming

and to a certain extent, unnecessary. I won't say that she made this task 'easy',

 but what she did do was make it painless.

Her easy-going and relaxed manner must work a treat with young patients

as it certainly put me at ease.

The modern-day equipment is now digital and high tech.

This array includes a phoropter, chair and on the stand a topographer, 

to check the front part of the cornea as well as slit-lamp.

The lamp is also for anterior corneal use as well as posterior use.

Gone are the days of peering at a paper chart in a dark room.

Now the lights stay on and the letters are computer-generated.

What has NOT changed is the "Which looks better, 1 or 2...3 or 4"?

To get one specific reading, Marlise even went to "7 or 8".

And in between, just to make certain that eyes did not get too dry from keeping them open for extended periods, came a soft "Blink, blink, blink" command.

More equipment than you can shake a stick at...I suppose some or all of it was being utilized

while I was ensconced behind the machine that was testing prescriptions.

The machine on the left is a Vertometer, used to check existing lens prescriptions.

Testing my old lenses...

I have said that I was impressed by the attention to detail shown. 

Unbeknown to me, as well as most spectacle users, 

there are watermarks on lenses that this Vertometer can pick up.

This information provided Marlise with the 'type'/brand

 of multifocal that I was wearing at the time of the test.

It seems that the machine takes away to get records from previous

opticians or optometrists, thus speeding up the exam process.

Just in case there is load-shedding or power failures, 

Marlise is able to go 'old-school' and continue to test using this Trialframe.

It might take longer, but I am certain that it will be every bit as thorough

as with the digital equipment.

Can you read this line of letters without squinting?

If the answer is "NO", then I suggest that you book an appointment.

I look like someone wearing a head-dress that you might find in a Star Wars movie!

This is a Phoropter and it is utilized to test individual lens choices during the exam.

It is a lot more imposing than it actually is.

A friend of mine wondered why I chose such a technical frame.

The short answer..."It looks cool"

Ever wondered what your cornea looks like? 

Well, wonder no more. This software will show every tiny detail.

Marlise was even able to tell that I rub my eyes too regularly.

I discovered that glaucoma if caught early, can be managed with eye drops

to prevent any further deterioration and vision loss.

I also found out that the old air puff test for this disabling affliction is no longer used.

There is now a digital version that I was not aware of,

so when it was administered I found it difficult to keep my eye open.

Next time, being aware, I will hold it open instead of blinking.

SO MANY CHOICES...

After limiting myself to a choice of about 5 pairs,

I settled on this Ray-Ban frame.

Now if I can just get used to the new prescription quickly

so that my keyboard can revert to being flat...

We in Linden, like to support local businesses and I would therefore suggest

that if you are looking for a professional optometrist, 

you make an appointment to see Marlise.

If you are concerned about your sight for any reason,

don't delay, make the call and get them checked.

Time for a mini makeover at Hair and Skin Experts on 4th Avenue. Linden

February is the traditional MONTH OF LOVE...

Our salon is offering the following special to celebrate that fact...

Ladies have your colour, cut and blow

 AND we will spoil your man with a hot towel and shave OR a manicure.

It has recently been brought to my attention that although I support many local businesses, 

I get my hair cut outside of our bustling and leafy suburb. Recently I chose to change that

when I was invited to try out the services of the staff at this salon at 42 4th Avenue. 

My wife had said to me that I was starting to look like a participant in the Groot Trek

or a garden gnome...I am uncertain as to which was the less disparaging. 

But those words rang true when I took this selfie, just before the make-over began.

My nails were also in need of a good manicure. I have to be transparent and say

that I have been a stress nail-biter for most of my life. A habit I find

very difficult to break for many reasons.

But finally, I had got to a point where I had prevented myself from biting

 for several weeks, but needed to get them into shape quickly,

before I started again

Sitting in an area that is in full view of the passing pedestrians can be somewhat daunting,

but young Chantelle put me at ease and we chatted about a variety of subjects

while she filed and buffed...

I discovered that she and my wife share a birthday.

And like me, she also wants a tattoo of a tiger.

There is nothing like the feel of a good hand massage to make 

you want to drift off to sleep. And the feel of the scrub that Chantelle

was using only added to that sensation.

Warm soapy water to prepare for what lay ahead...

Chantelle's attention to detail was superb.

My cuticles have never looked (or felt) so good.

The final step in the process...

A two-part buffing to make the nails shine naturally.

Chantelle had offered me the choice of clear or colour polish,

but I chose to decline both on this occasion.

These are the products that were used during the manicure:

L-R: Vanilla scrub, Shea butter moisturiser, William Dabs luxury hand & nail cream

and finally an organic body butter.

And VIOLA...nails that I can feel proud of
and hands that have just a hint of vanilla...

A cuppa while I waited for Bobby and my haircut and beard trim.

After my haircut,

it was time to head off the basin for a wash and shave.

It has been several years since I have had the luxury of a shampoo in a salon

so this experience was MUCH appreciated.

With my face ensconced under a hot towel,

I felt like I was in a 50s gangster movie...but no shots were fired

and I emerged from under the towel unscathed.

Bobby and I had an in-depth discussion about the ease of using a straight razor.
Not an easy conversation to have when a sharp instrument is being used!
At the end of our chat, I decided to stick to my Gilette safety razor
and only allow the professionals to use a blade on my face and neck!

What a change a couple of hours can make!

I returned home to positive accolades from my wife

and that said it all. Job done.

I certainly enjoyed the entire experience and all the staff made me feel most welcome.

If you are considering spoiling yourself at a salon in Linden,

this why not book yourself a couple of treatments?

I came away feeling like a new person and I am certain that YOU will as well.

With thanks to Bobby and Chantelle 

and to salon owner Megan for the invite.

Bye, bye Barbet

This morning the juvenile Crested Barbet in the nesting log
in our garden said "Goodbye".
Not only to us, but to its parents as well...
I saw this departure as analogy for parents,
both human and animal who have to bid their
offspring "Farewell" at some point.

I have been watching the youngster for the past few days,
and I was hoping that I would be there to see it leave.
As a parent, I thought of when my daughter left home.
First to go and study in Paris, France
and then to go and live and work in Cape Town.
Was this Barbet ready to spread its wings?
I waited with baited breath

There was a lot of uncertainty as to how it might play out.
It appeared and disappeared back into the log more than once.
As if trying to make up it's mind.

Each time it came to the entrance,
it would "expose" more of itself.

Much like a diver stepping up to the edge of the high board
in preparation for the launch

Almost out...
But not quite ready to go yet.

The last image that I have of parent and offspring.

My final image of the youngster,
just before it launched.
I was expecting it to hop onto a nearby branch,
however this was not to be.
Once out of the hole, it flew off immediately...

The parent arrived back with food,
to try to tempt junior out,
but it had already gone...

The Crested Barbet, 

(Trachyphonus vaillantii) 

('trachys'=rough, 'phone'=voice, sound') 

is a sub-Saharan bird in the Lybiidae family. 

Its specific name commemorates François Levaillant, 

a famed French naturalist.

A look inside confirmed that no-one was home...

A final meal that had not been eaten.
The parent birds returned from time to time "post departure"
seemingly distressed by the fact that their "baby" had gone.
I know that the human analogy is not quite the same.
Yes, our children leave home, but we as parents
hope that they will stay in contact.
In the wild, once the youngsters are gone,
the parents move on to the next brood.

The nesting log is now vacant,
but I can still hear the adult Barbets calling...
I do hope that they will continue to use this log
for further generations.
And that the youngster will have a happy and fulfilling life.

Size is not everything...

Load shedding is no longer a laughing matter.

Especially for the older citizens of our country

for whom sitting in the darkness 

can be a daunting, if not downright scary, experience.

If you currently have electricity, then make yourself a cuppa

 while I share a story with you.

And in these times of doom and gloom, especially the latter,

given the current load shedding crisis,

one that has a happy ending.

To paraphrase Sophia (from the Golden Girls);

"Picture this, Johannesburg, 2020"...

Despite the promise to our President.

Eskom started with their planned/unplanned

load shedding/power outages/rolling blackouts earlier than expected.

But why were we surprised when the grid crashed almost as soon

as the New Year started.

You also have to wonder what will be disclosed following the sudden

resignation of the Eskom chairperson, Jabu Mabuza.

Add to that the fact that once AGAIN the government is looking

to constitute a new board!

And in the midst of all this, our erstwhile Minister of WTF,

Pravin Gordhan ( actually he is the Minister of Public Enterprises) 

says that all should be well

with the utility in the next year or two...

REALLY!!!

 For those who cannot afford the expense of a full solar system,

there is a more affordable alternative available.

A low-frequency pure sine wave inverter like this will power necessary equipment

in your house so that you won't have to sit in darkness.

This sort of set up will usually power a couple of lights,

a socket outlet for a phone charger as well as a TV. 

This 1kw system was recently installed by Solco Solar for a family member

for whom a full solar installation was not an option.

Installed in a few hours, it will give them peace of mind when the

power dies in their suburb.

Like most electronic equipment,

the inverter has a digital readout and should be mounted

in such a way that this can be easily accessed.

I think that the new owners are secretly waiting for load-shedding

to put their system to the test.

This particular system is paired with a 200amp deep cycle gel battery.

 which should offer about 6 hours, depending on the loading.

(i.e a TV and decoder would draw approximately 250w)

The battery normally takes about 4 hours to fully recharge.

Are YOU tired of living with this "will they, won't they"

type of statements on a daily basis?

Would you like to take back some control

 as to how much Eskom disrupts YOUR life?

Time to reclaim our power...

To quote William Johnsen;

"If it is to be,

it is up to me"

For more information on this type of installation.

contact Bernard Ridge and request a quote:

bernard@solcosolar.co.za

Visit the website:

https://solcosolar.co.za/

or have a look at their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Solco-Solar-811551572577224/