Appointments
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
We had a
couple of days of appointments this week. On Monday, Barry had his nose
examined again. Apparently, there’s still ‘something’ there, despite it all
having been excavated for the second time three months ago. Now, he’s got to anoint his schnozzle
three times a week with a cream, and then go back to talk about dogs’ diets in another
three months.
Whatever he does, and whoever he sees, Barry opens up all sorts of conversations with people. Debbie, the nose consultant/plastic surgeon, has a twelve-week-old Golden Retriever puppy, and they were discussing its dietary requirements.
On other occasions, he will be discussing the First World War (a particular interest of his) photography, space exploration, the origins of the Internet, and a myriad other things that fascinate him. By contrast, I am quite tight-lipped, and discuss only the things for which my appointments are made. Barry is a talker, and I am a listener, so our partnership works well. To be fair, he also listens extremely carefully, and retains information like a sponge.
Yesterday, he had appointments with the hygienist and the dentist, and today it was my turn. I found that the gap created by the extraction of my molar had affected my speech – one less surface for my tongue to strike against. I am accustomed to it now and no-one else has commented that my speech is less clear than it ever was. Anyway, Vishal explained the options, but he’s going to be a little disappointed in me, since I’ve thought about it again and decided to do without an implant, bridge, or denture. If I were still talking for a living, I might think differently about it, but I’m not, so I won’t.
Then I saw the hygienist, a lovely young woman who is always very encouraging. She chatters the whole time she’s working, but she’s not attempting to have a conversation. She seems to be telling herself what she has to do next. It’s really pleasant listening to her as she almost sings her instructions to herself above the noise of whichever tool she’s using.
So, that was the excitement for today.
We were promised rain. We had a small amount during the night – about one millimetre. There was thunder and a short downpour when Barry was out with the dogs, but that was it. The sun is shining in a watery sort of way.
No doubt, when the forecast rain does fall in earnest, it will be a deluge of Biblical proportions.
LOL...I was once the tight lipped one around here, but through the years, I've become the talker and Sam has become the non-talker of the family. Fun how Barry can talk about so many different topics. We had a small amount of rain last evening, but no an amount that could be measured.
ReplyDeleteI know a (very) little about a lot of things, but Barry knows and understands a lot about many things. We each know our strengths and weaknesses.
DeleteHow does he retain information like a sponge? I am impressed. I had an excellent memory until 70 when old age, family tragedies and heart issues meant I have to leave notes for myself to remember even simple tasks eg the grandchildren's birthdays
ReplyDeleteSometimes, life events affect us to the extent that we cannot rely on our memories. I think confidence plays a part, too. I remember, but still check, to make sure I've remembered correctly. 😟
DeleteYours sounds like a good partnership -- one talks, one lets him!
ReplyDeleteThat's it! We do have conversations, too . . .
DeleteI really enjoyed reading this post — such a warm and relatable snapshot of everyday life! Barry sounds like the kind of person who could make a trip to the dentist feel like a social event. I love how he turns appointments into opportunities for connection and conversation (Golden Retriever puppy chats? Adorable!). The contrast between the talker and the listener dynamic is beautifully described — it’s clear your partnership just clicks. Also, your reflection on the dental decision was refreshingly honest; sometimes simplicity really is the best choice.
ReplyDeleteAnd the bit about the hygienist almost singing to herself made me smile. Thanks for sharing these gentle moments — it’s the kind of writing that makes you feel quietly seen.
Asep Haryono
Indonesia
Thank you, Asep. 😊
DeletePoor Barry.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is like that, talking to anyone and I'm an introvert. Sometimes it's good, sometimes not.
I don't blame you regarding the implant/bridge etc. I have had one and I have a gap in another place but don't want to have another one. The gap isn't where people can see, it doesn't bother me and I don't want to deal with the expense or the fact that it took 2 bridges before I could even eat on that one side again.
Your experience has just convinced me that I've made the right decision. Thank you, Sharon.
DeleteSue talks to people on our walks. While I might say hello i don’t find much else to say.
ReplyDeleteI talk to the dogs I meet, and their owners incidentally.
DeleteI like your assessment of character here. Good that opposites work well here. For somethings I shut up like an MRI. For other things I chatter.
ReplyDeleteLikewise.
DeleteBarry sounds like a very interesting dude. As to rain, if you want rain come here Thursday afternoon. We're in for a Nor'Easter, a usually Winter storm. This one will be minus the snow, but with heavy rains and winds. Some areas are predicted to get 2 - 3 inches of rain. I hope the electricity holds out!
ReplyDeleteIn our family, Barry is the information giver, and I am the walking dictionary and speller.
DeleteTalking brings a sense of informality to the situation. I am also more of a listener than a talker.
ReplyDeleteWe learn a lot through listening.
DeleteI always find a deep silence during a medical style appointment slightly unnerving. I tend to think the worst... but it never is that bad!
ReplyDeleteI never ask the right questions, it seems, or I ask them at the wrong time. Hey ho!
DeleteA week of appointments well met—Barry’s lively conversations bring warmth, while your calm balance steadies it all; may the rain prove kinder than foretold.
ReplyDeleteAt present, any rain would be welcome in more than dribs and drabs.
DeleteIt rained here Tuesday night, most of Wednesday and again last night, my water buts are not full, we are promised another wet day this weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou've had more than us, but we are further inland.
DeleteI often wonder about nurses and hairdressers who keep up a stream of small talk. I don't know how they do it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it feels like when the rain finally gets here, it will get here with gusto!
The small talk is one of the reasons I hate going to the hairdresser.
Delete'Got any plans for the rest of the day?'
I feel such an idiot saying, 'No, none at all,' even though I shall be doing various things which are of interest only to me.
I'm quite tight-lipped myself, preferring to listen rather than blurt out something inappropriate. I have a friend who is a "blurter" and out of the blue tells anyone listening the most personal things which truly no one needs or wants to hear.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually see the hygienist, she always wants to clean my teeth and there are so few of them left it just isn't worth the trouble, also they are so sensitive that cleaning actually hurts.
I hope Barry's nose is okay.
I know one or two blurters, too - and blush for them.
DeleteGenerally I am not keen on conversations with people who are treating me, or cutting my hair and toenails.
ReplyDeleteOnly because I find such things very interesting, what is your accent? Clear or now less clear.
I sound like a speeded-up Joanna Lumley,. very clipped. I speak very fast - gabble, probably.
Deletewe are still in drought and in need of rain but I do not want to get that rain in biblical proportions. I would make the same decision on my missing teeth, of which I have 2 that have been gone for many years.
ReplyDeleteI talk so much, it bleeds into my blog and a favorite blogger in Canada said he hopes he never sits by me on a plane. I do what Barry does, but have now at 80 lost the sponge thing. My son once told people outside church one Sunday, that his mom has a black belt in conversation. bob is like you, not much talking, but then he might have a hard time getting a word in edge wise. sorry about more work needed on his nose
I love your son's comment - a black belt in conversation is something to be proud of.
DeleteMakes for a busy week when you have to go from one appointment to the next. I have a good dental hygienist that also Chatters while she's working on me but she only asked me a question when she has her fingers out of my mouth, lol. Sorry to hear that Barry's nose still has an issue that must be taken care of and hope that goes well. I have a lisp now also since I'm missing two back teeth, but that's the way it's going to stay, as I think it makes me unique.
ReplyDeletei wonder how many hygienists/dentists are bitten in the course of their work? I was going to ask yesterday but forgot.
DeleteI've always been more of a listener than a talker. The only time I'll get chatty is if I'm with someone I know well or I'm with a talker who gets me started.
ReplyDeleteIt does depend on the company you're with, I agree.
DeleteMy husband and I were a great partnership-me, tightlipped, him, the talker. I'm less tightlipped nowadays but he's still the talker. Wishing Barry success with his nose this time around.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alana.
DeleteMy OH can talk the hind leg off a donkey given the right circumstances, but don't tell him I said that !
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I won't. Promise!
DeleteHere at Dove Cottage, I'm the quiet one and Jos is the talker as well. If only, like Barry, he would listen when I tell him something :-)
ReplyDeleteI do tend to talk my way through appointments, though, just to hide the fact that I'm actually nervous ... xxx
Whenever I think Barry hasn't take in what I've said, he surprises me by remembering everything. Curses!! 😟
DeleteNeither Dave nor I are big talkers, really. I think some hygienists feel the need to chatter to fill the silence while they work. It probably makes them feel more comfortable, if not necessarily the patient!
ReplyDeleteSo long as they're not trying to remember how to do their job!
ReplyDeleteBarry sounds like my husband and you like me. I hope those creams work for him. I also have a missing molar and never thought it might affect my speech. No one has told me. I figured no one can see my missing tooth in the back, though they try each time to get me to spend thousands on an implant/bridge and look so disappointed when I nix all their ideas. No dental insurance unfortunately but even if we had I don't think I would want to go through all the hassle at this stage of my life, unless it was affecting me badly and it isn't.
ReplyDeleteWe have dental insurance, but it doesn't cover the big things, like implants! If it were a gap in the front, I would definitely have swallowed hard and paid for one, but it's not. It could take 9 months before completion! I said to Barry, 'I might not be here, then' and he said, 'Thinking of moving, are you?'
DeleteI've always hated going to the dentist.
ReplyDeleteSo did I, until my recent dentist - he's really nice, thorough and explains everything.
DeleteHusband's a bit like Barry. And I'm like you. Except I hate going to the hygienist!
ReplyDeleteI practise my deep breathing when I'm with the hygienist. She's lovely, but I can't say it's my favourite pastime.
DeleteI was so pleased to see the rain yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWhen I went into the local supermarket it was dry and then when I came out the skies opened and the downpour continued for a little while but we still need a lot more.
As I said to another blogger I will keep-on with my version of a rain dance ... LOL
All the best Jan
Yes, please do - we might eventually get rain, then. 😀
DeleteI love striking up conversations with people while I'm out and about. Now that he's retired Hubby has started doing the same thing.
ReplyDeleteI do now more than I used to. If anyone thinks I'm a daft old bat, let them.
DeleteYes, hygienists are master distractionists.
ReplyDeleteDelving around in other people's mouths is not a job I would relish!
DeleteMy dentist does both the dental work and the hygienist work in one session which suits me best as I hate going to appointments. Not my favourite place to be. I don't think I would be taking up any of those wonderful dental options that Vishal has suggested either.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Barry and hope that the cream works for his nose.