I Can See Clearly Now

A few weeks ago, I posted on Facebook, asking friends to tell me their experience with cataract surgery and which doctor had done their surgery and the results.  I got many responses and recommendations

This photo has nothing whatsoever to do with this post.  I just like it.

In 1999, I had a hemorrhage in my right eye which took my central vision.  Most of you will recognize it as "wet macular degeneration."  That was quite a blow to me, but I carried on.  It was obvious that I could still see well with my left eye and had good peripheral vision in the right eye.  Doctors did tell me that when I developed cataracts, they would be very hesitant to do surgery on them, for fear of something going wrong.  Listening to the folks who posted on Facebook, there were some who did experience difficulties.

I had consulted with a doctor about six months ago, asking about cataract surgery, and he assured me that if I had the surgery, I should not expect great results because of my problems.  I drove to Virginia in August, and when I got on the road, I realized I was not seeing nearly as well as I should.  When I got home, I began pursuing surgery.

To make a long story short, I had both eyes done.  The doctor assured me that in my good eye, where the cataract had really taken over, he could bring the vision back to 98% of what it should be.  I had that eye done first, and, oh my, the difference the next day was just incredible.  I had heard people talk about the brightness of colors.  They were right.  I found myself just looking and looking and soaking in the wonderful colors and sharpness of vision.  My right eye was done the next week, and while the central vision was not improved, the peripheral vision is good.

I just read a post on Facebook from Humans of New York.  He interviewed a young woman who is losing her eyesight due to retinosa pigmentosa.  That is a condition where the peripheral vision narrows until the vision is totally diminished.  She said that she is looking at everything...the clouds, the sky, the green grass, knowing that one day she will not be seeing them at all.

That's a bit how I feel.  I'm loving every day of seeing well.  And if the day comes, or when the day comes that my vision is diminished because of dry macular degeneration, I will have had this gift for this time.

Don and I used to sing a song in church that had the words "Heav'n above is softer blue, earth below is sweeter green."  It's true.

And I guess the moral of the story is...if you are 50 or over, have a thorough eye exam by an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist.  An optometrist is great for prescribing glasses and should be able to catch problems, but they don't always.  Mine didn't.  I am thankful, however, for the technology and knowledge that is available today at our disposal!

Past Halloweens with Ella

Looking back through my files, I decided to post some photos of Ella in past Hallowe'ens.  She was just three months old when her first Hallowe'en came around.

 By the time the next year came, she was ready for trick or treating, pretty little flower.

 Then along came Little Red Riding Hood, her basket all ready to receive treats.

By the time she was three, her love for elephants began to develop.  Here she was a Heffalump.  I'm waiting to see what she will be this year.

Along the Way

I've recently returned from a trip to Virginia.  One of the pluses of driving is being able to stop along the way to visit friends.  On my way home this time, I went by Raleigh and visited with Mr. and Mrs. Kenju, from Just Ask Judy.  this is the fourth or fifth time that we have gotten together for lunch and lots of talk.  This time was no different.  Mr. and Mrs. Kenju just celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary yesterday, so that occupied some of our conversation.

After I left their house, I drove to a friend's house to visit and spend the night.  It's always a delight to stop there. Even though she lives close to the interstate, when I am at her house, I feel like I am in the country.  As I drove to her house, I saw fields of tobacco growing.  It really is a beautiful crop.  The leaves are full and green, with blossoms at the top.  On either side of her house were fields of soybeans.

Her home is the house that she grew up in.  Her parents have been gone for some time now, and she has remodeled the house to her fancy.  Her dad's old barn is still there, as well as his old pick-up truck.  Beside the house is the old tobacco barn that was used in years past.

One of my favorite things, besides visiting with my friend, is her cat, Fred.  Fred came to live with her after she retired from her main job.  They are quite the pair, and I love petting her.  Fred is being pestered by a mockingbird who has made it his object to pester the life out of her.  

After a good dinner, sitting out on her new patio and a good night's rest, I was on my way home to Florida the next day.  Because I travel a road where there are not a lot of good places to stay, I stop in Kingsland, Georgia for the night instead of driving all the way home.  The last two times I've stopped there, the desk clerks have said to me, "You have stayed here before, haven't you."  I like that.

By the time I got home, I really wasn't all that tired.  I hadn't driven a whole lot any one day, and traffic was light on the interstate coming home this time.  That was a good thing.

Lacoochee Then and Now

I'm going to try really hard to blog more.  When I'm away from home, there seems to be more time. When I'm home sitting with my computer, I see all the things that I should be doing.  When I'm away, I don't see it, so....

I changed my header photo yesterday.  The name of my blog is "Lacoochee Kid."  Lacoochee is a little town in Pasco County in the state of Florida.  I was born there way back when there was lots of activity.  Lacoochee was a "company town."  The Cummer company operated a cypress lumber mill there, and my father was a foreman for the company.  We moved away when I was just turning four, so my memories are a bit dim.  However, I did go back and spend time with my aunt and cousin at various times.

The photos in the collage are some of the remains of Lacoochee.  I do remember my parents saying, "When the war (WWII) is over, we're leaving Lacoochee," and they did.  They moved to Bradenton, and that is where I grew up and where I live today.  The lumber mill closed in the 50's.  Another company came in, but there is nothing there now.  The old mill is there, but the hotel, the commissary, and all the houses are gone.  Lacoochee does have an elementary school, but I have never ventured far enough to find it.

The street markers in the photo are reminders of the past.  Lewis Abraham's father owned and operated a drug store on the main business street (the only business street) of the town.  I think if Lacoochee had had a mayor, Abe would have been it.  His drug store was a favorite meeting place.  I have a picture on my wall at home of him and his wife in the drug store.  I'll post that another day.  Abe came to the States from Syria, established himself, and then went back for his bride, and brought her to begin their lives together in America.  His son, Lewis, is well-remembered in Pasco County for his business acumen.  Abe had a daughter, Lorise, who has written much of the history of Lacoochee.  Someone named her the "Lacoochee Lady."  My first cousin was first cousin with Lewis and Lorise, so I feel connected to them as though they were family.

The last photo of the old house isn't actually in Lacoochee.  It is in the little town of Trilby, just a mile or two away on the other side of Highway 301.  That house belonged to my daddy's parents.  Before my parents were married, he lived there and rode his bike to work at the mill each day.  The house was close to the railroad tracks.  My granddaddy worked for at the train depot there.  Between the house and train depot was a field of phlox.  I loved seeing those flowers, and they always remind me of my grandparents.  I don't know who owns the house now.  The last time I went by, it looked as though someone is using it to store junk in.


Not much remains of Lacoochee now, but much of the town can be seen in the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.  I love to visit there and remember.

Catching up

 It has been a while since I have updated this blog.  I used to write a lot, particularly a lot about Ella.  Time has flown by, and Ella has finished second grade. The photo at the top was taken after her seventh birthday last August.  The day after her party she quickly sat down and wrote thank you notes for all the gifts that she received.  Her parents have taught her well the importance of being grateful and expressing her thanks in a tangible way.

One of Ella's favorite ways to pass her time is to read.  She has a book in her hand almost wherever she goes.  Right now she is reading the series of books, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and A Series of Unfortunate Events.  She recently read Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. After reading the book, she watched the movie, then at the dinner table discussed the similarities and differences between the movie and the book.

I was sick during March and into April.  David asked me if I could come up and be with Ella during her spring break.  I told him I wasn't sure at all if I  would feel up to it, but I went.  One day, I told Ella that I needed to lie down on the sofa.  She got right up with me and began reading to me.  The tables had turned.

 In Ella's after school program, the opportunity to take violin lessons was given to the children, and so that has been added to her activities.  The Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra has provided the instruments, the teachers, and the lessons without charge to the students.  What a wonderful opportunity is theirs to learn to play.  I'm going to polish my violin, get a new bow and string's and see if I can keep up with her.

This photo was taken by Ginny, one of Ella's former caregivers at a recent program at Ella's school.  I have spent this past week being taxi driver for Ella and her different activities.   I'm spending this next week with Sarah in Charlottesville, and then going home for a little while, and then returning for birthday number 8.

Happy Birthday, Sarah

Happy Birthday, Sarah

The winter of 1977 was a cold one in Florida, and when I mention it to folks from the north, they seem to remember it well too. On the way to the hospital on the morning of January 20, the bank thermometer registered 26 degrees. It was cold. Jimmy Carter was inaugurated that day, and Sarah was born.

The years have gone by quickly. Sarah has grown in to a lovely, young woman. I am so glad that I got to be her mother.

Happy birthday, Aunt Sarah.