Mixed Bag

First of all, my eye is still giving me grief. No matter what regimen I have tried, none has helped much. In spite of this, every day I aim to accomplish at least one project, be it large or small. Today was James 2 and the removal of his autumn leaf garland. My daughter found a piney one with cones and red berries at a garage sale and it has been attached. It was a finger-freezing. 'do not fall' project and I am on the lookout for a large red plastic ribbon to complete the job. James #1 is not decorated at all - at least at this point. No good pictures of James 2 yet, road too muddy to go out there to snap 'em.

Two days ago I kept busy cooking down the Thanksgiving ham bone and then freezing the works so I could skim off the fat that accumulates on the top before adding the split peas. Then yesterday the peas were added and the brew kept on low for many hours with frequent stirs. Two quarts were the final yield and they are in the freezer.

The ice covered the lake for only one day and then it warmed up and melted. I hoped the geese were gone, but they still remain. 

Today I will do some upgrading of paperwork and 2024 clendar marking with birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  I'm seriously considering to not create or buy and send holiday cards this year via USPS. 

Pretty soon the daily sunset will be coming later and I look forward to that.  The good thing is that everyday the view through my windows is changing. Can you see how beautiful it is through the image my neighbor took?

Oh, yes I am only a little crazy with my computer creations. I like to escape once in a while.

Restless

I feel the need to create something but my energy in that area has disappeared.  It may be due to a very annoying eye issue. I have had dry eye for several years. Now it is flared and all treatments suggested by doctors and friends don't seem to be helping much at all. Two visits to optometrist within a month haven't made a bit of difference. This has caused me to feel quite angry at my eye! Durn eye! Stop stinging, burning, scratching. How can I get back on track? Right now I'm wearing sunglass clip-ons over my closeup glasses, along with the brightness of the computer turned way down. 

So, here I am thinking about taking a break from researching, reading, posting. Yes, I have put out my yarn wreath that was a 1984 gift from one of "my" 4-H'ers. Yes, I managed to get the ceramic Christmas tree out of the closet and set up (without ornaments) in front of the kitchen window, It was a gift to me and marked inside with the date 1972 from a friend who is long gone. My brother's six glass ornaments hang in the other double windows. I have trapped 8 mice outside by the side door. 

My daughters want to know what I'd like for Christmas. I would like world peace. They can't give me that! There is nothing else that I can think of.  My status quo living in the old cabin is comforting as nothing else could be. 

If you don't hear from me for a while, be sure I'm trying to perk up - to not worry, to be satisfied. I'm fortunate in many ways that even you cannot imagine. 

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!

Time Out

I'll try to keep up with reading other's blogs but am backing off writing and taking pictures for a while.

Left hand is wearing a brace for next 10 weeks due to painful tenosynovitis. This morning my left eye had another corneal erosion, and am now treating that! It isn't as severe as the one I had last August, but still very painful and expected to close soon.

It is just too difficult for me to continue hunt and peck right hand typing and have only one eye in fair working order.

This old wagon is wearing out piece by piece.  Will contact again when parts are repaired.

Tenosynovitis

Corneal Erosion

Beautiful Rideabout to Neighbor's

On Friday morning I awoke with extreme pain in my left eye and I couldn't open it at all because it hurt so. My local ophthalmologist wasn't in so I traveled to another one about 28 miles away. The Mister drove. After intense examination it was determined that I had a sudden corneal erosion without specific reason or cause. He explained what might have happened. Thank goodness for the numbing drops that allowed for the exam. He sent me home with a contact lens "bandaid" inserted and a prescription for an antibiotic. I am to return in 3 days. At least it doesn't hurt now, just tears and my vision in that eye is comparable to looking through wax paper. I can look forward to complete healing soon. For more information on this you can check out the link at the bottom of this page.

It was such a beautiful day that I took a ride in the golf car down the road and up a rough road to the top of a hill to visit a neighbor. They weren't home but I took pictures and left. On the way up I had spotted ripening elderberries at the side of the road. I am sorry that no one seems to be reaping the wonderful elderberries to make jams and syrups as I did so many years ago. They are plentiful and ripening beautifully. I have the old recipe if anyone would like to do this. I just don't have the energy nor the equipment but would be happy to share the process. See what I found!

EASY to make!

please click on image to view large

Corneal Erosion Information Link