Long Two Weeks

Hello,

 

I am grateful that one week is gone before my next surgery. I expect that one will help me see clearly. I will still need reading glasses, but that seems possible.

 

I saw my eye doctor and he was quite encouraging. My acuity is good as is the healing with only a little swelling left. There was a third thing, but I cannot remember what it was. I now see 20/20 with my new lens, but the problem is the untreated eye. He did say I could have the lens taken out of my current pair of glasses and that might help.

 

The lens is gone and my brain is trying valiantly to figure it out. I am still not going to drive because it is almost like seeing double from time to time. I will also walk very carefully as the other person commented that the depth perception is a bit off. I hang on the railing when going up or down stairs. Leroy went to work after he took me to that appointment. I managed to feed myself, mostly leftovers, and even put in the eye drops by myself.

 

I can be independent. I am not going to work today as I think it would be too much struggle to move between paper and the computer screen. Maybe Leroy can take me on Thursday. I am also scheduled to work on Saturday. Again I believe I would need that ride. I looked at a magazine and I could read it. I also took a book out of the little free library and could read it, but that all requires more work than I want to put into it for a very long time.

 

When Leroy had his double vision, he was tired a lot. Someone of the medical people said that the vision center in the brain requires a lot of energy so it was understandable that he was tired.

 

Paula

Organ Concert

Hello,

 

I walked to church more slowly than usual because of my vision. I did not want to trip over anything. Consequently, Leroy said, “We have to start our walk sooner for the organ dedicatory concert.”

 

I agreed and we headed off in what I thought would be excessive time. As we got closer I asked for the time. We were 20 minutes early. Oh we will just have to sit and wait for it all to begin.

 

The parking lot was amazingly full. “Did all these people have some type of job, I wondered?”

 

Wow, there were so many people inside I wondered if it was safe to be there, but felt at least somewhat reassured since everyone was wearing a mask. I quickly changed my walking shoes for sandals and put on my dressier shirt, discarding my sun protection shirt. It was a bit of a trick to find a seat, but we did. As time went on the call went up for people to indicate if there were an empty seat next to them. It all started about ten minutes late in the scramble to find seats for all. Some of them had to remain in the narthex.

 

It was quite a big crowd and we were treated to a great concert. It was fun to listen to the variety of music styles and the ability of the organist. Because of copyright this will not be shown later. I did see that over 280 people watched on line. It will be aired on IPR, but have no idea when that will be.

 

Even though my vision is not as acute as it could be, I could see the screen which showed the hands and feet of the organists. How nice to have that technology in place.

 

Paula

Vision

Hello,

 

While listening to the audio book, I looked at the light with the chains for control of the fan. Yesterday, I could not see two. I was so pleased to see both of them this afternoon. Perhaps I have to be more patient about healing. After all it is only three days now since the surgery. However, at this minute, my vision is not as clear again. Perhaps something clouds it.

 

Our little free library is a great place for people to put rocks. There is a new one almost every day. Sometimes there are two new ones and the old ones are gone. Sometimes, especially if there is only one rock, the old one will remain even if there is a new one. I am impressed with all of the different ways people can think of to paint rocks. It almost makes me think it might be a nice thing to buy paints and contribute. I also wish more people took books. It is a library after all.

 

I finished the audio book. I got hooked on the story and managed to stay alert and with it. Not my favorite way to absorb a book, but it does work. Now I need to find another book to listen to. At least the readers add their emphasis to the whole effect.

 

Leroy and I walked to the park that is close to us and wandered among the trees, going from shade spot to shade spot with a sit down on the grass time to enjoy the breeze. It is quite hot here, but that felt nice. I am glad we did that.

 

Paula

Time on My Hands

Hello,

 

What does it mean to say time on my hands? We have some unusual sayings if taken literally and I believe this goes into that category. But I seem to be fitting into that space as I have more time than I know how to fill since I cannot read or comfortably watch TV. I have been listening to an audio book. I am interested in the book, but seem to get a bit twitchy just sitting and listening. Once in a while I find that my mind has wandered into another territory. That would not happen to me if I were reading the words.

 

I may have said this before, but “I am not going to drive yet, even though it has been more than 48 hours since the surgery. Without corrective lens my old eye cannot contribute much to the picture. If I close that eye, I see quite well in the distance, but nothing near. My current glasses frames are such that it is not easy to figure out how to get out a lens. Leroy thought maybe he could just take one out, but could not figure it out.

 

Leroy did go to work and leave me a phone call and bike ride away. It has been fine, but I am a little bored. I did sit on the deck this morning just trying to enjoy being outside with the flowers, breeze, and geese flying over. The leaves in the trees across the alley amazed me because I could see them without glasses; it was not just a blob of green. I was so quiet that a squirrel came and got a drink at the bird bath. That was nice.

 

I wonder when I look in the mirror, who is this person. I don’t know me without glasses as I have worn them since 5^th grade. I could not see myself without glasses, only a blur. Gads, I have bags under my eyes!

 

Paula

 

Healing

Hello,

 

I am writing without being able to see very well, but here it is. Yesterday, Leroy led me in Tai Chi before my surgery appointment. It must have worked because my bp was low enough to be acceptable, barely but ok. When they said I could have the surgery, it probably went down a few more points.

 

Leroy was able to be with me for everything , but the actual surgery. That was so nice. As promised it was fast. The Dr. had said five minutes, but the nurse kept saying it would be ten minutes. I think it was probably 7.5 minutes.

 

As promised my distance vision is much better, it is a struggle to see anything that is close. I have a hard time seeing the computer so Leroy will check this for me. He has been my rock, stepping up to the plate to cook, clean, etc.

 

The Eye Dr. talked about people being able to drive in one or two days. It has been one full day and a bit more, but no driving for me yet.

 

Tomorrow will be better, right?

 

We picked the largest turnip I have ever seen. It was in the community garden. No idea if it is any good.

 

Paula

The green Light

Hello,

 

The first two days after starting the PB med, the rate was good, but yesterday I started stressing out about the appointment coming up today. Last night, I am not sure if I slept at all. When they first took the reading it was still too high for surgery, but the second reading was just low enough. The Dr. said, “You can have the surgery, but between now and then do all of the anti stress things, because they could still decide not to do it if it is too high.

 

She also commented that the EKG shows a slight abnormality, and she is referring me on to a cataloguist.

 

My blood sugar was a bit high, and she was concerned about my cholesterol rating. It was about what it always has been, but she feels that after age 70 it should be addressed.

 

I am glad that some things are being found but also feel like I am falling apart. Here I go from no meds to two and maybe more. Yet my life style has not changed that much so how can this be? I do think I should up my cardio exercises. And learn something about mindfulness as well as do yoga and tai chi more than once a week each.

 

Paula

More Feelings

Hello,

 

I am fulfilling that statement “I am my own worst enemy”. My blood pressure was nicely low the last two days. I thought maybe the med works that well and quickly. Today, however it is a different story. It has been popping up and down.

 

My anxiety level is so high. Leroy is helping me by holding my hand some, but it does not take it down enough. It seems to be one of those things where the more I try to control it the worse it gets.

 

I am scared of this surgery even though I know it is not a big deal. Logic seems not to win the argument over emotions. I refer back to my only surgery when I had a wisdom tooth extracted. It was to be quite simple and only take twenty minutes. In the end it took 2.5 hours. I was told to take it easy, but I did not need those instructions as my jaw was quite pained. I could not chew for several days. I was nursing Sarah at the time and I ended up losing ten pounds in just a few days.

 

I am afraid that even though it is supposed to be simple something might happen to change that and this is my eye.

 

I see the family doctor tomorrow. I tell myself that if I have to cancel it will be done later and my blood pressure will be under control. But much of that self talk is not so effective. I do not listen to myself?

 

Paula

My Feelings

Hello,

 

After visiting with the Dr. who will perform (Are they on stage?) the cataract surgery, I met the next day with my family Dr. To my shock my blood pressure was extremely high. I often have a high reading at the Dr. and they just comment that it is “white coat” syndrome. Well this was much too high for me to have the surgery. She suggested I come back the next day when she would have me get an EKG and some blood work. It was also a time to learn if the number had gone down. I was told to bring in my home blood pressure recorder and they would compare that with theirs.

 

I called a friend and told her I needed some talking time. It was good for my soul even though I still had a lot of feelings.

 

The next morning at the dr. office my blood pressure was still about the same even though it had been much lower at home, although not pristine. They then tried my cuff and it was about 20 points lower. I asked if they would once again do the office cuff to see if that too were lower. There was about a difference of 10 points with the top numbers.

 

I am now taking a med which has perhaps helped as I have a much lower pressure reading at home than it usually is.

 

Paula

A Festival

Hello,

 

Last weekend we went to that festival for Leroy’s work. It was at a church which has a Czech background. The inside of the church certainly looked familiar as it brought memories of European churches. We spent little time in the church because it was generally crowded and 99 percent of the people did not wear a mask. It seems so unsafe to me.

 

Outdoors the wind was blowing briskly and people were more spread out. I had been concerned that people might ask me questions that I would not know the answer to, but it was just fine. I knew most of the answers and my cohorts were there most of the time to help if it was needed.

 

They had had some rain in the area and were quite pleased with that as they too have been dry. This lowered the temperature from the predicted 88 degrees. Leroy and I were not prepared for such, as we were wearing shorts and short sleeves. I had brought my long sleeved sun protection shirt. It helped some, but we ended up sharing it so there were many too cool minutes in there. Some other attendees even had jackets with them.

 

Our purpose in being there was to encourage people to visit/support the museum. There were a number of people who had visited. Many people did not know it existed. Many people signed up to get information about in return for the granting of two free passes.

 

Leroy had brought some duplicate coffee table style books which had been donated to the museum. Aat the end he managed to give all of them away. The church also had a history book that he had been considering buying for the museum. He was pleased that they offered him a free copy as well as two other books that a local person had written.

 

Paula

Give Aways

Hello,

 

One the evening, Leroy and I went to the garden to water and pick whatever. On the way home we saw some people out that we could give some tomatoes and cucumbers too. One guy seemed pleased to get them. Then he told us, “I am a chef. I am thinking of opening a vegetarian restaurant with just twelve dishes.”

 

He went on to talk about the possibilities. Leroy and I moved farther on and he came along talking the entire time. We covered two blocks and he was still with us. Finally we gave some more tomatoes away to a closer neighbor. I turned to him and said, “We are almost home. I hope your plans work out for you. Good–bye.”

 

He finally turned and headed off up the street. In retrospect, I wonder if he was drunk because he was talking so loudly and it is very rare that anyone would walk such a distance with us. The tomatoes this year have been so fine it is fun to give them away. I did have quite a few one day and we got some from our home garden so I canned four quarts. I am happy to do that too because we will enjoy them in the winter.

 

I also like home canning because it is less throw away packaging. No plastic involved.

 

Paula

The phone rang

Hello,

 

In the morning, as I was working in the kitchen, the phone rang. I did not recognize the number, but answered anyway. Sometimes I do not answer, but on our home phone we are not as susceptible to scam calls. I said, “Hello, Paula speaking,”

 

No one said anything for a beat or two, then I heard a hesitating voice, “Hello?” after which we went back to just silence.

 

“You called me,” I said rather primly.

 

“I know I did. Are you a car shop?” was the confused inquiry.

 

“No this is a private home.” I responded.

 

“Sorry to have bothered you.” The guy said as he hung up.

 

No so long after the phone rang again.  I thought the number looked like the one I had just seen.

 

I almost recognized the sigh as he heard my name. He then checked my number to make sure it was what he wanted. The next piece of information was not settling as he told me that my number was that given for a special deal on an oil change in the little free rag that comes out weekly. He became quite friendly then and told me I was likely to be getting a lot of calls. I thanked him and told him I was sorry that I could not get him an oil change. About fifteen minutes later the phone rang again. This guy needed a friend. He had called me back to tell me that I did not have to worry about lots of calls because he had read the number incorrectly and had made a nine into an eight. He apologized for this, blaming it on his age and failing eyesight. The phone did not ring for the rest of the morning.

 

Paula

Fast Trip?

Hello,

 

As a part of work Leroy, and I, along with another coworker who was in charge made a trip to a Czech festival in MN. It was definitely off the beaten path, however, about 1500 people managed to find the path.

 

Off the beaten path also means that there are no straight roads to this spot. We were on faster moving four lane highways for the first half of the journey and made good time as well as surprisingly good gas mileage. We stopped for a bathroom break. We stopped for lunch at a rest area where we could walk on the short trails into the wood, which refreshes my soul. These  undamaged trees certainly looked good.

 

After leaving the four lanes, travel became a bit more convoluted. At this point, Leroy was driving and I was navigating with the assistance of the nice lady on the phone and looking at the old trusty paper map. It went fairly well, but required much turning on to a new road, so strict attention was necessary to stay on the proper route.

 

We arrived at our destination of a motel to spend the night with only one hour of extra time, but the stops would have accounted for that. The town consisted of only a little over 400 inhabitants so there was not much to see. We were about an hour early before our planned meeting with Leroy’s coworker. After walking around the town she called to tell us she would be another hour or two so we should just go eat without her. We headed off to a neighboring town that was about 6,000 people so there were many more options of places to eat. We chose a Mexican restaurant. It was quite good. There were a lot of people there, but we could eat outside so I felt quite comfortable.

 

Paula

Haircut

Leroy announced with the last haircut he gave me, “You can go back to someone else cutting your hair, I am done.”

 

His first cuts for me were the very best. Perhaps he lost the sense of the length after a while. It was going to be quite different getting a haircut outside of the house for the first time in a year and a half.

 

I would wear a mask into the facility and I would have to wear clothes. Leroy does naked haircutting because we do not have a drape to put over me. I suppose I could use a towel, but have not. Immediately upon completion, Leroy snags or brushes off as much stray hair as he can and I hope in the shower to wash off the rest.

 

At the haircutting place, where I can just drop in, I was pleased to see there were only three people there, two stylists and one customer who was already in the chair. I got signed in and before I settled in the chair and took off my mask, I asked. “Have you been fully vaccinated?”

 

With the response, “Yes,” I eased into the chair and took off my mask. I had planned to leave if the answer had been no. One good thing about just a haircut is that it does not take much longer than fifteen minutes. She was able to take off a lot of hair, more than I really planned, but that is fine. One problem is that hair on one side by my ears is longer than the other. I figure that will change in a week or two as each side curls differently.

 

Paula

Happenings

Miriam’s family was here for a quick visit at the end of last week.

We savored this visit because of the desert of no visits. It was a whirlwind time with bike riding (thanks to Robin and Clark for the greatest),

 Popular bike     

 Favorite bike  

  Ordinary bikes

ice cream shop, sweet corn, which is not so good in Utah, 

kolaches, as well as games and talking. Miriam even had some time to visit her college friends who were staying at an airbnb just about three blocks from our house.

 

We let the green beans in the community garden grow too old because we were hoping there would be plenty of other pickers. Many have ended up in our compost. We pick so that there will be another harvest. Bugs have given us some competition, but many of those beans I eat any way, I figure a bug bite does not matter.

 

On the weekend, Leroy and I are traveling to Minnesota. Leroy’s work is doing an exhibit in a place in the middle of nowhere. Or perhaps it is nowhere. How is in the middle of nowhere defined?  It is such a small spot on the map I have to remove my glasses to see it. It is about 5 hours away from our house, which because of our need to stop more frequently means about 6 hours away. We will be leaving to come back home at five on Sunday evening. Hoping that trip does not require so much stopping because neither of us is good with late night hours. We can certainly say that we have gone to a part of the country that we have not visited in the past.

 

The woman, who is going, asked if a co worker would also go and help her. Leroy volunteered. I also volunteered; I mean Leroy should not be going off alone with a strange woman although she is probably quite normal. She is apparently taking so much stuff from the museum that we have to take two cars, but that is good as she is going to stop along the way to help her parents move to a new place. Whew, we got out of the chore.

 

Paula