Jumping Through Hoops

Well that is what it feels like! But oh what a ton of hoops you have to go through to just get a date for one of two cataract surgeries! They did all the tests here at home when I went for eyeglass lens updates. Then it was determined I had cataracts and an appointment was made for me at the place where the surgery is actually done. It's about 45 miles away and my daughter did the driving. The place was completely full of people waiting for their appointments. My wait at first was 45 minutes. Then all the tests were done again! Then I saw the surgeon and then I had to get paperwork to bring home to fill out and also get a regular doc appointment to be cleared for the surgery. They also called in medicines for me to use after the surgery and they are not generic so the cost will be high. It was good to have my daughter, who has had 5 back surgeries already and is scheduled for hip replacement in September, with me. We both motivate with canes. We left at 8:45am and returned home at 2:30pm. It took all the strength I had to go through it plus there was a lot of walking and I was totally wiped out! She was, as well. So far the surgery will be at the end of August and that means at least a 2-3 hour wait for my daughter who will not be allowed to accompany me inside the facility.

If I didn't need my eyes for reading and computer work, I probably wouldn't even bother. I DO NOT like being in a facility with tons of others waiting and in my area even though we all had to wear masks. When you challenge yourself, it means that you're alive, not just existing!

Through the Car Windows

We took a ride this morning to Outback for my favorite clam chowder bowl and the mister's bloomin' burger. It is about 33 miles from home so I brought my camera to have in case I saw something to photograph. On the return trip the sky view through the windshield looked like fluffy cotton balls or even cottage cheese (not buttermilk). The tinted glass and auto setting of the camera showed it to be a bit eerie there at high noon.

On the route we take, I see many possibilities of good shots but there always seems to be a car or truck behind us and there is no way we can safely pull off to the side of the road. There was a huge pile of cut wood at another good area where we could have easily stopped BUT there was a fella there loading chunks onto a utility trailer. DANG! He wasn't there when I saw it first on the way out. Further on down the road we were able to pull over so I could shoot this small pile through the passenger door window. Oh well.

please click on image to view larger