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Mostly pansies |
Yesterday, Steve and I walked around the waterfront, a truncated walk since he needed to attend the monthly Saturday breakfast with recently retired faculty at his institution. He's still working full-time, but he's at the age when retirement is not so far away. During the summer, I only see him once a week, since he's got a class that starts early on Thursday, so the Saturday walk is all he's able to fit in at this time of the year. It was actually quite a glorious walk, with the weather cloudy and cool, not even reaching the mid-sixties and requiring a jacket. I snagged the above picture from a pretty flowerbed, with several others nearby that had not been watered and looking very tattered. I found this one very pretty and inviting.
I really cherish these walks with Steve, and I am glad he is able to find time to walk with me, since these days I am really struggling to keep my positive viewpoint uppermost. The news of the world, globally, really seems rather depressing and not very uplifting. Going for a walk along the boulevard to Fairhaven, or a walk to the harbor like we did yesterday, never fails to lift my spirits.
When we returned to our starting place, Steve drove away to his breakfast buddies, and I went off to the food co-op for some needed supplies. Although I rarely drive anywhere these days, I keep my time behind the wheel to a minimum, given my limited eyesight. I think I am fairly safe, though, since I am extremely careful to pay attention to my surroundings and don't deviate from my usual short, familiar drives. My eyesight feels pretty normal to me these days, since it's been more than a year since I've noticed any significant change, and I've learned that your brain tends to normalize what you see when that happens.
This weekend I found another task that is no longer available to me: sewing buttons on items when they fall off. I have a vest that is missing two buttons, and I tried to thread a needle without success and got My Guy to do it for me. But then I found that I couldn't actually sew them on, since it's hard for me to see where the needle is supposed to go. If I really tried, I could probably get the task done, but it was discouraging to find out how my sewing days have gone, along with the days when I could knit and crochet. I can do them, but if I drop a stitch, I cannot find it again and finally gave up on trying. It's a small thing, and if I really got determined, I could find a way. I think so, anyway. It's hard to describe to someone what it's like to have good vision everywhere except right in the center of a scene, where you have to focus. And it's only one eye that is missing that central vision. If I back off from trying to see something up close, I can see it perfectly, using my peripheral vision.
I still have to get some more information before I can make an appointment with the office in Vancouver that offers the MacuMira treatment. Right now I am hesitating because of the expense, and the fact that I must get some information from my retina specialist. I know I am dragging my feet, but it's partly because I am reluctant to pay all that money (thousands) for a treatment that might or might not help. It is just like the eye jabs: it can slow the progression but nothing actually fixes my eyes. I just need to face the fact that low vision is all I'm gonna have from now on. I'm lucky that these days it's possible to do most of what I want to do with audible help (other than sewing on buttons). And right now I am sitting in the dark in bed, with my laptop illuminated and giving me the ability to compose and publish my thoughts without much difficulty.
My friend John called last night to beg off going to breakfast this morning, since he's not feeling well and wants to skip it. I am a little disappointed, because I like his company and our usual habit, but I'm glad he felt okay in calling to cancel. I'll see him at the coffee shop once he's better, and I'm pretty sure next week we'll be back to our usual routine. At least I hope so; this getting older business means nothing is ever certain to continue as it always has in the past. I'm determined to keep going with the routines in my daily life, even if I do need to change things up now and then.
Do you know anyone who is taking those GLP-1 drugs to lose weight? I just found out on Facebook that my brother is taking Ozempic and has had great success with it. Of course, everyone in Hollywood must be on them (those who struggle with weight, that is), because many celebrity types are looking so much, well, less fat. I'm thinking of Oprah, for one, who has always struggled with her weight and now looks to be normal sized. I hope she is happy with her looks. Does someone need to keep taking the drugs to keep the weight off? I wonder how it works, but I don't need to take them so my interest is purely academic. Anyway, it's another interesting turn in the news these days.
Finding ways to stay on top of the news without getting bogged down in sadness is taking up a fair bit of my time. If I allow myself to read any long articles (which I can still do with low vision settings and my trusty magnifying glass), I must watch out for those that really distress me. It's not easy to find uplifting reading material, unless I go for the obvious places, like to comedians and whatnot. How about you? How do you keep yourself feeling positive? I am always looking for new ways, and I'll bet some of my virtual family has figured it out.
Well, this might seem to be a rather lame excuse for a post, but hey, this is what's percolating in my brain right now. I don't have to get up anytime soon, since I have now got no plans for the day ahead. I'll find something uplifting I'm sure, like going for a walk in the coolness. Or reading your blogs and finding out what is going on in your lives. So, dear friends, until we meet here again next week, I wish you all good things and plenty of happiness. Be well.
4 comments:
Good morning DJan, it's always nice to spend a few minutes with you on these Sunday mornings. I very much envy your 60s weather, this has been one of Pittsburgh's worst summers, havn't seen a break in the temps for weeks. At the same time, my heart is very heavy for you, your failing vision, pondering this very expensive treatment that can only slow down the progression... I am so sorry. My younger brother (who's 59) has always had a huge issue with severe obesity, and did go on Ozempic at the start of the year. He's lost a little over 70 pounds since then but said it's expensive and his doctor says he has to stay on it for life or he'll gain it right back. I just don't see it as a long-term solution, but what do I know. I hope your week ahead is filled with promise, my friend.
Oddly, I was just writing a short post about my own weight loss (not published yet). I've been successful and without drugs, which I am given to understand can have side effects.
You have a big impending decision about the new eye treatment. While I am tempted to encourage you to go for it, it's not my eyes or my money, and I certainly don't know the medical part of it.
For years she’s penned with steady grace,
Of aging's trials we all must face.
With wisdom bright and spirit wide,
She meets each turn with strength inside.
Now vision dims at the outer rim,
Yet still her outlook doesn’t dim.
How fitting that her blog should be—
An Eye on the Edge, for all to see.
Wjat do I do to stay positive? Well, not enough I guess, because I surrer from low spirits often. However I am not giving up on the news. We still get a daily newspaper, the Seattle times, with articles originating from the NYT and the WaPo and the Associated Press. There are lots of national political articles and I read many of them or parts of them. We watch local and national evening tv news, and once a week we watch Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. That's not overload, but it's plenty, and I am often shaking my head in disgust.
My biggest source of low spirits is my physical deterioration. Despite all of my joint and back surgeries, or maybe partly because of them, it is just harder and harder to more areound and stay upright.
My self help is to stay as active as I can, do my PT, and laugh whenever I can, including at myself and my clumsiness.
This week I made it to two Sounders games at the stadium with Tom, riding the light rail, handling the crowds, walking from the station to the stadium, using elevators when I can, and having a good time. Being able to do some of the things I used to do helps.
Now I will be going for a mile walk at the park on this lovely cool morning.
Take care. We will, and are, overcoming.
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