Early this morning we visited our GP practice for our flu vaccines. This, known as the flu jab, is a process of injecting protection from strains of influenza. Those over a certain age are urged to avail themselves of this each year. I was a bit reluctant to get going this morning, especially as I thought this was a ploy on Jackie’s behalf to have me washed and dressed before midday. The procedure was quick and painless.
Along the coast road, the monochrome Isle of Wight, with its own Needles, emerged from filmy vapour.
We visited Elizabeth at Pilley once more. I stayed in the car while Jackie delivered some mail, including a parcel of equipment from B.T. who, despite having engineers frequently visiting Burnt House Lane, continue to despatch items to our home.
Jackie has been researching the activities of the young heifers witnessed on Bull Hill two days ago. This is what she learned from Wikipedia:
‘Bulling is a behaviour seen in cattle when one mounts another, usually when one or the other is a female in oestrus (on heat);[1] “bulling” is commonly used as a term for a female in oestrus. Female cattle in oestrus may mount any adult cattle, especially a bull (fertile male) if one is present, but they will also mount castrated males or other females. A bulling female will often also be mounted by other cattle, both male and female (only fertile males are usually capable of mating). A dominant bull will defend the bulling female from being mounted by other cattle.
Bulling is used by farmers to recognise oestrus, which is important to determine the fertile period when cows may be artificially inseminated.[1] Care is needed to identify whether the animal in oestrus is the one mounting or being mounted, and of course sometimes both animals may be in oestrus.
Mounting behaviour is also sometimes seen between adult cattle in the absence of a female in oestrus.’
I have added this as a P.S. to the original post.
This evening Jackie produced a most toothsome dinner consisting of her tasty steak and mushroom pie; new potatoes; crunchy carrots, green beans, cauliflower, and curly kale.
I was not around cattle enough, (only a period when I was exercising horses) to know any of this, so thanks.
I have never had a flu shot, though they are given free just about everywhere. I have more of a tendency to come down with a sinus infection. I have gotten the pneumonia shot though.
I am exactly the same, GP…I don’t get colds and I haven’t had the flu since 1977…the year I got a flu shot in graduate school.
BUT, I do battle my sinuses year round.
I got the pneumonia shot and my doc wants me to get the shot to prevent shingles.
Right now I have a sinus infection. The doc gave me some meds. I feel lousy. I am losing my voice. So the world will be a LOT quieter for a few days! Fortunately, my fingers are not broken so I can still “talk” on WP! HA! 😀
(((HUGS)))
Get well soon, Carolyn X
Thank you, Derrick!
The last time I had the sinus infection, the nurse practitioner gave me antibiotics, thinking it was the flu like everyone else. I could barely stand up, lost my hearing – and for the first time in my life – I lost my appetite. When the doctor checked me over, she admitted I had the wrong meds! Everything cleared up pretty quick after that.
Ouch
Do you remember what meds they gave you?
I was just curious. I’m always wondering what might help.
They always want to give me antibiotics and those don’t usually help me. I use some over-the-counter stuff most of the time and it helps.
Sorry – I don’t remember. Mostly I used paracetamol until I couldn’t stand it any more, then got antibiotics, I think
The antibiotics almost killed me. They don’t just kill the bad bacteria, but all the good ones. I believe sinus infection is fungal, not bacterial.
That seems right
Thanks
I am feeling a bit better today. 🙂
🙂
Thanks very much, GP. Sinus has always been my problem too, although much less in recent years
Thats not cock and bull, Derrick!
Quite so, Val 🙂 Many thanks
Very interesting post about bullying. I learned some thing new. Concerning flu shots, I used to give them when I practiced pharmacy. Did you get your Zositivax shot in the past to lessen the chance of getting Shingles (Adult Chicken Pox)?
Thanks very much, Gary. I’ve never thought about Shingles
Flu shots are necessary after a certain age. We haven’t had even a cold since we’ve been getting the jabs. I could eat your dinner right now. 😋
Thanks very much, Sylvia
That was interesting, I learned something new.
Thanks very much, Pauline
Glad to hear that being washed and dressed before midday was quick and painless. I’m always a bit wary of excessive cleanliness. 🙂
🙂 Nice one, Quercus
Heh, 😀 … I thought that too. 😀 .. ahh, the joys of sentence structure and punctuation! 😀
🙂 I’ve often fallen victim to such things myself, when a sentence has proved itself open to interpretation.
🙂
We truly do learn something new each day. Please give Jackie, my thanks 🙂
Will do. msw. Many thanks
Interesting!
I grew up around ranches and I currently live in ranch land, so I’ve learned a lot about cattle, ranching, cowboying, and bulling, etc. 🙂
It’s fitting that you ate steak for dinner! 🙂
Glad you got up and cleaned up and dressed up and out and about and got your flu’ shot! I don’t get flu’ shots, but I’ve gotten the pneumonia one and my doc wants me to get the one to prevent shingles. So I’ll do that soon.
That photo is beautiful!
HUGS to you and Jackie!!! 🙂
Thinking and praying for your Mum, still!
Very many thanks for all this, Carolyn X
I hope that the flu jab works this year. It is not a sure thing by any means.
That’s right. I don’t normally bother, but I was bullied into it 🙂
Well, that bit about the horny cows was something. Pretty much anything goes, is what I got out of it.
Yep. Many thanks, Jodie
“Flu jab” I like that, Derrick. Your flu season must start later than ours. We’re advised to get our shots in early October. I have to get vaccinated for pneumonia because of the Remicade infusions I have for Crohn’s Disease. Recently, I received the shingles vaccine after hear and seeing so many horror stories.
Thanks very much, Jill. Ours starts in October, too. We didn’t get around to it earlier
Lots of needling here, Derrick, but I’m glad yours was quick and painless. Quite a misty day. Thanks for the info on the cattle. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril
I had my flu vaccine back in December. Yes, it is quick and painless, and was even covered by insurance as I had it done at the pharmacy. My insurance doesn’t cover it through the doctor’s office, but on the other hand, we have to pay for office visits, which is probably why they don’t cover vaccinations through that route.
Our National Insurance covers ours
Someday we may be so lucky over here. 🙂
Nature’s processes are bull-et proof, much of which is yet to be understood. Thanks for bringing in the postscript.
Many thanks, Uma
Touch wood, our flu jabs have been very effective so far this winter.
Good. Thanks very much, John
AH! ‘Bulling’ is a common sight on farms and one that visitors from less rural places find fascinating and something to hide from children who may have more intelligence than their parents.
I knew you would know, Paol. Many thanks
Thank you for another toothsome post, Derrick.
Many thanks, Ann
Your dinner sounds healthy and delicious, with lots of good veggies. Interesting about ‘bulling’ – being raised around dairy farms, I’ve seen that behavior, but never wondered too much about it.
I’ve resisted getting a flu shot, it’s a tough sell with me!
Thanks very much, Eliza
Sounds a bit kinky to me. I had no idea mounting was so multi-sexual!!
🙂 Many thanks, Jan
That was an interesting read Derrick – farmers always have the most simplest of ways to figuring things out on the farms/ranches. This one about the female cattle is fascinating. Hope the flu shots protects you and Jackie – my husband and I have had the flu twice each this season, not fun at all. Best of the new year to you both!
Very many thanks, Mary
Good news about the flu shot, even if you were ‘bullied’ into it. 😀
🙂 Thanks very much, Widders
As always, interesting information.
Thanks very much, Helen
Sure learned something new today. 😉
Thanks very much, Laurie
A ploy by Jackie to get you washed and dressed before midday? ha ha ha!!! Wicked woman indeed. That discussion at the top of comments could have included me too. I battle sinus issues constantly, but infrequently a cold and almost never the flu, except 4 times in 4 years, when I was in the Air Force and the flu shot was mandatory. Every year, I’d get my shot, then get the flu within a couple of days…I must be very sensitive to the mild strain of influenza in the shot. Anyway, I decided to take my chances after that, and have never volunteered for another flu shot. From what I hear, it’s a much more serious situation when one gets older, so I have been considering that eventually I should try it again.
You are not that old yet 🙂 Many thanks, Crystal.
Now, you’re not feeding us ‘bull’, are you? Very interesting.
Nice one Steve. Thanks very much