Okami always has an expression of absolute contentment in his eyes.
Uluru, on the other hand, always looks totally freaked out!
Both alpacas blink.
I never realized how much eyes could convey in terms of emotion until my husband, Anthony, stopped blinking. I didn’t know he’d stopped blinking and that this was sometimes one of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. It wasn’t until we first saw a neurologist, who did some hand/eye/leg coordination tests, that this inability to blink was pointed out. The neurologist had a rather dry sense of humour and said to me, “You thought he was getting moody, didn’t you.” When I nodded, he said, “When someone doesn’t blink, they may appear to be angry or sad.” I looked at Anthony who looked back at me with a small, uneasy smile, his eyes unblinking. “So, do I have Parkinson’s Disease?” he asked the neurologist. “Yes, I believe you do,” said the neurologist.
As I drove us home that day – so many years ago now – Anthony stared out of the window and I blinked back tears, but we talked it through and decided to do the only thing we could do which was to take things one day at a time.
Keep blinking if you can.
jmgoyder 
i have never noticed this about Al, but I will try to sneak a look and see, that had to be a hard day, the day you two found out the news. i know when I found out about Al, i was numb, thinking that we just got him through the heart attack, seizures and now this???
I know what you mean – Ants had gotten over kidney cancer and then the PD – unbelievable!
it doesn’t seem fair does it, Al has a seizure, a heart attack and now this. i swear disease picks on the weakest
Actually, I think disease picks on the strongest – the powers that be, KNOW strong people can handle and learn from chronic illness.
(or should I say chronic illness MAKES you stronger?)
I think you are totally right!
ok i want one!! but the contented version please! c
Aren’t they beautiful!
Blinking./c
It’s amazing how little things can take us back to a moment in time, how deeply our minds make associations. Taking things one day at a time is the only was to handle big things like this. It’s inspiring to hear your challenges and your triumphs – I admire your courage and the way you keep it real.
Thanks for this – your generous words mean a lot.
I think you bear up amazingly under the difficulty and wonder if sharing makes it easier to process. I totally get the touchstones like that – I see a camper and recall the day I knew something was wrong with my grandmother. We were loading a camper up for a trip and she lost her grip getting out of the back door – her hand was a mess and she played it off like it was nothing – at the time it seemed like nothing. Her physical decline started on that trip – I get a flash anytime I see a cabover camper. I feel nostalgic for the time before we camped.
I know exactly what you mean about the touchstone idea – and understand how nostalgic you must feel about your grandmother when you see a camper. I get that with lots of things now.
Julie I love the way you write – how you use so few words yet convey heaps of feeling. (blinking)
Ha – thanks Diana!
While I want to say something “special” the only thing that comes to me, is blinking like crazy and someone thinking you are flirting with them. One day at a time, is the only way to go. Hugs, Julie!
Oh you are such a (gin &) tonic!
Oh Julie this post…. just made me really teary. It is something we never even think about — this must be one of the hardest things to adjust to — facial expression is huge for me…. I am not sure how I would be able to cope — I already get so upset if I don’t like the face my husand or kids are making … 😦 Love you dear one—
Just got off with my surgeon — he threw out about 10 things we could do – including reoperate — remove my capsllule…look for adhesions etc. I just have very little faith in surgery at this point… given my history. xxooo Love U ~
So what is the next step for you?
another surgeon consult on the 28th… he does rearranging of femurs and pelvis’ ~ yikes … also gait analyisis was proposed -maybe some injections — not sure I want to be “explored” — 😦 xo
Fingers crossed for the 28th – please keep me posted somehow. Sending lovexxxx
I didn’t know that about the not blinking if you have Parkinson’s.
Yes, it’s to do with the facial muscles not working.
I have to think about this, since I did not really notice whether dad stopped blinking until his whole face stopped moving in total. It is amazing how much we count on those eye lids to keep the eyes working right. You write so wonderfully. I love the alpaca.
It’s strange – I think it is called the ‘mask’ of Parkinson’s.
Yes – I do think that is what it is called.
My dad died with Parkinson’s, but I don’t think he ever stopped blinking. Interesiting.
How long did he have Parkinson’s?
even though i have worked with pdd patients in the past and others who were “locked-in” due to other disease or disorders i was not prepared for your words. my job was always to make people comfortable as possible, and help them find some way to communicate with their loved ones whenever possible.
you managed to reach right into my chest and pull my heart in to my throat. if you could let go and let me breathe now i would appreciate it.
Well that was a hell of a response!
I meant that in a positive way!
Thanks Julie, I wasn’t aware of that symptom. I might never develop the disease but it’s good to have more knowledge.
My, those animals and birds must keep you busy. Glad you got Tina Turner sorted
Brenda in the Boro UK
Thanks Brenda!
I learn more every day from you.
As I do from you.
here’s me blinking at you
I have learned so much from your posts – some of it sad–but I am so glad to have found you
I feel the same!
Very interesting, I thought we need to blink otherwise the eyes surfaces dry out – my mum lost her the function of some muscles in her eye lids for a short while and she had to go with wet covers. They are really something yours alpacas – they look new cut. Beautiful eyelashes
Yes the dry eye thing is a problem.
Yes, I thought so … I needed know that Parkinsson’s could cause that.
I never knew that. Ok, I’ll remember to keep blinking.
The alpacas are adorable.
Aren’t they just!
I didn’t know that people with Parkinson’s stopped blinking my grandson Blain asked his mother only last week why do people blink it was a question that came out of the blue…………..lol
That’s a coincidence!
Lots of stuff…
I have severe chronic dry eyes. The thought of not being able to blink makes me blink all the harder! I can’t even imagine what it must be like.
I have been watching McCleod’s Daughters on Netflix. In the series one of the girls, Tess, gets some alpacas to protect the sheep on their land. I love the sound they make! That little humming down deep in their throat. I think they are beautiful creatures.
This is my second go round with the show because I enjoy it so much. I love the scenery and the farm “Drover’s Run.” I imagine the places depicted in the series to be much like where you live. Is it?
~ Lynda
That’s funny because I haven’t seen those series myself – yes a lot like here.
Re Ants and the blinking, I should have said he hardly ever blinks, not that he doesn’t blink at all and yes the dry eye thing is a big problem.
sorry if my response seemed over the top. reading this took me back to the day i had to tell my husband the truth about what was going on. it only takes a few words to change your life forever.
No, I LOVED your beautiful response. That day for you and your husband must have resembled ours – very much so. Ants is being wheelchair taxied home in half an hour and my feelings are all over the place.
I love the different expressions on the alpacas’ faces, and the amazing way you tied those pictures in with your story. I hate that Anthony has to suffer through this horrible disease.
Of course there are much worse diseases. Yes those alpacas are a tonic!
Touching… Isn’t it amazing all the things we take for granted until…? Love to you and yours Julie. Stay strong.
Yes and thank you!
Thanks for sharing this. What a shame the neurologist was not able to break the news to you in a gentler way.
Thanks but I don’t think there was any other way!
They both are so adorable!