Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Autumn Visions
I was trying to make a kind of serenity video from shots of Autumn's colors. However (1) the colors this year are very muted and (2) I have been ill and I shook a lot when I was trying to shoot this video, so I am not very happy with the end result.
Maybe I can do better next year.
Maybe I can do better next year.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Bolton Cemetery
When you live on a farm that has been in operation since before 1800, there is a bit of history there.
A piece of that history lies on the ridge. We call it Cemetery Hill because that is where the Bolton Cemetery is.
The cemetery is in a state of disrepair.
This stone says: In remembrance of Mary K. Bolton, Born May 1, 1821, Died May 19, 1915. I am not able to read the epitaph below.
This stone has four names around it, apparently children of Henry Bolton. The farm, called Rose Hill Farm, was once owned by the Boltons. These people are some relation to my husband's family.
A piece of that history lies on the ridge. We call it Cemetery Hill because that is where the Bolton Cemetery is.
The cemetery is in a state of disrepair.
The stone reads:
The soul has now taken its flight
To mansions of glory above.
To mingle with angels of light
And walk in the kingdom of love.
This stone says: In remembrance of Mary K. Bolton, Born May 1, 1821, Died May 19, 1915. I am not able to read the epitaph below.
This stone has four names around it, apparently children of Henry Bolton. The farm, called Rose Hill Farm, was once owned by the Boltons. These people are some relation to my husband's family.
I had not been near this cemetery in years. I did not realize it was in such a sorry state.
Not particularly spooky, eh?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday Thirteen - BOO
Well, it is almost Halloween, so I thought I'd list 13 things I like about October 31.
1. It's weird. Halloween is the strangest holiday there is. Dressing up and going begging? Who thought that up?
2. Costumes. I enjoy seeing the costumes on TV and in the stores. I like to see them on children, especially. They look adorable.
3. Spooky factor. I enjoy being scared occasionally and so, apparently, does everyone else. I especially like a "fun" scared when you know it isn't going to amount to anything.
4. Memory #1. When I was a teenager, my friend R. and I visited a haunted house/maze in Vinton. As we were going through it, a werewolf began following us and he jumped out and scared us at every turn. After we finished the maze, the werewolf asked R. out on a date (he offered to have a mummy join us). We declined.
5. Memory #2. I dressed up as a hobo one year; it was my favorite costume. It was homemade and easy. I think I was about 9. I had a plastic black hat and red rouge on my cheeks.
6. Memory #3. My brother and I went trick or treating. The parent (I forget which one) stayed behind the bushes while we went up to the door. At one house, a lady was decked out as a witch and she invited us inside to see her spooky decorations. "No thank you," I said politely. "We're not allowed to go into the homes of strangers."
7. Memory #4. When I was about 11, I went crying to my mother. "No one likes me at school," I sobbed, "because I believe in the possibility of witches and ghosts." Note I did not say I believed in ghosts and witches; only the possibility of them. I have always been strong on possibilities. My mother cuddled me and told me I was just smarter than the rest of them because I didn't disregard things without thinking about them first. And I still believe in the possibility of witches and ghosts, among other things.
8. The Autumnness of it. It's cooler, the leaves are turning or have turned, the holiday seems to suit the air of the time of year.
9. The history lessons. Every year, particularly in this Internet age, I'm reminded of how Halloween supposedly came to be, what it means and why it is celebrated. I get to think about the word Samhain.
10. I tend to step back and watch with amusements as the religious folks get in an uproar. Sometimes they even try to change the day Halloween is celebrated (it was debated locally this year but they left it alone after a disastrous attempt to change it the last time it fell on a Sunday). These folks dress themselves up as pretzels, they are so bent out of shape.
11. The candy! Well, that is what it's all about, isn't it? It's now a Hallmark holiday embraced by Hershey's and Nestle's. I love chocolate but I also like Smarties at this time of year. I just can't eat too many of them.
12. Ghosts and goblins walks. My little town of Fincastle often has a ghost walk on the Saturday before Halloween. It is always fun to hear the tales of the folks whose ghosts now haunt the historic village.
13. Making a jack-o-lantern. This is fun because you get to play with the pumpkin guts and be creative all at the same time! And then you get to play with fire, too. What more could you want?
Anyway, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 162nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
1. It's weird. Halloween is the strangest holiday there is. Dressing up and going begging? Who thought that up?
2. Costumes. I enjoy seeing the costumes on TV and in the stores. I like to see them on children, especially. They look adorable.
3. Spooky factor. I enjoy being scared occasionally and so, apparently, does everyone else. I especially like a "fun" scared when you know it isn't going to amount to anything.
4. Memory #1. When I was a teenager, my friend R. and I visited a haunted house/maze in Vinton. As we were going through it, a werewolf began following us and he jumped out and scared us at every turn. After we finished the maze, the werewolf asked R. out on a date (he offered to have a mummy join us). We declined.
5. Memory #2. I dressed up as a hobo one year; it was my favorite costume. It was homemade and easy. I think I was about 9. I had a plastic black hat and red rouge on my cheeks.
6. Memory #3. My brother and I went trick or treating. The parent (I forget which one) stayed behind the bushes while we went up to the door. At one house, a lady was decked out as a witch and she invited us inside to see her spooky decorations. "No thank you," I said politely. "We're not allowed to go into the homes of strangers."
7. Memory #4. When I was about 11, I went crying to my mother. "No one likes me at school," I sobbed, "because I believe in the possibility of witches and ghosts." Note I did not say I believed in ghosts and witches; only the possibility of them. I have always been strong on possibilities. My mother cuddled me and told me I was just smarter than the rest of them because I didn't disregard things without thinking about them first. And I still believe in the possibility of witches and ghosts, among other things.
8. The Autumnness of it. It's cooler, the leaves are turning or have turned, the holiday seems to suit the air of the time of year.
9. The history lessons. Every year, particularly in this Internet age, I'm reminded of how Halloween supposedly came to be, what it means and why it is celebrated. I get to think about the word Samhain.
10. I tend to step back and watch with amusements as the religious folks get in an uproar. Sometimes they even try to change the day Halloween is celebrated (it was debated locally this year but they left it alone after a disastrous attempt to change it the last time it fell on a Sunday). These folks dress themselves up as pretzels, they are so bent out of shape.
11. The candy! Well, that is what it's all about, isn't it? It's now a Hallmark holiday embraced by Hershey's and Nestle's. I love chocolate but I also like Smarties at this time of year. I just can't eat too many of them.
12. Ghosts and goblins walks. My little town of Fincastle often has a ghost walk on the Saturday before Halloween. It is always fun to hear the tales of the folks whose ghosts now haunt the historic village.
13. Making a jack-o-lantern. This is fun because you get to play with the pumpkin guts and be creative all at the same time! And then you get to play with fire, too. What more could you want?
Anyway, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 162nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Kousa Dogwood Tree
I have discovered the name of the tree from my post on Saturday. This is called a kousa dogwood tree.
The kousa dogwood, also called Japanese flowering dogwood, is becoming a good replacement for the traditional white flowering dogwood because the kousa is more disease resistant. The tree also requires little water.
The tree is considered an ornamental tree, although apparently the fruit is edible. One description likened it to a persimmon and said the fruit from mature trees is bigger and sweeter.
The kousa dogwood, also called Japanese flowering dogwood, is becoming a good replacement for the traditional white flowering dogwood because the kousa is more disease resistant. The tree also requires little water.
The tree is considered an ornamental tree, although apparently the fruit is edible. One description likened it to a persimmon and said the fruit from mature trees is bigger and sweeter.
Apparently in China and Japan the fruit of this tree is widely used. I found references to wines and jams made from the fruit, as well as a notation stating the leaves are edible, too.
From the looks of this large tree in this old cemetery, the tree has been in the US for a while.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Books: Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows
By J. K. Rowling
Read by Jim Dale
Audiobook 21 hours
I read this book in 2007, but decided to listen to the audiobook recently since the movie (part 1) will be out soon. I read it in seven hours then, a third of the time it took to listen to it. Fortunately I listened to it mostly in the car.
In this book, He Who Must Not Be Named has risen to power and created a rather fascist rule, one in which pure blood wizards will rule and put the poor muggles in their place.
Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron go on the run while Harry attempts to carry out Dumbledor's last orders. Destroy the horcruxes, which are pieces of Vlodemort's soul. They have a lot of adventures. I remember thinking when I read this the first time that this would be a very action-packed movie.
For a total synopsis of the book, read my 2007 review.
By J. K. Rowling
Read by Jim Dale
Audiobook 21 hours
I read this book in 2007, but decided to listen to the audiobook recently since the movie (part 1) will be out soon. I read it in seven hours then, a third of the time it took to listen to it. Fortunately I listened to it mostly in the car.
In this book, He Who Must Not Be Named has risen to power and created a rather fascist rule, one in which pure blood wizards will rule and put the poor muggles in their place.
Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron go on the run while Harry attempts to carry out Dumbledor's last orders. Destroy the horcruxes, which are pieces of Vlodemort's soul. They have a lot of adventures. I remember thinking when I read this the first time that this would be a very action-packed movie.
For a total synopsis of the book, read my 2007 review.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday Thirteen
"But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed."
- Shakespeare, Othello, act iii. Sc. 3.
Today I am writing about identity theft.
1. Identity theft is a crime. It is a federal offense. Identity theft involves the use of someone else's personal data, and can include things like using a credit card number, stealing money from bank accounts, taking mail from the mailbox, or completely taking over someone's identity and pretending to be that person.
2. Your information can be obtained in numerous ways. Criminals can look over your shoulder while you punch in your card numbers on your cell phone. They can eavesdrop on open cell or cordless phone conversations. They can rummage through the trash for all of those "preapproved" credit card offers you receive in the mail. They can find hack accounts on the Internet and obtain your Social Security number, you bank numbers, your passwords - pretty much anything.
3. With a certain amount of identifying information, a criminal can take over your good name, run up charges in your name, obtain medical care in your name, and cause great harm to your reputation. People have had to spend thousands to restore their name.
4. Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act in 1998. Conviction carries a maximum 15 years in prison, a fine, and forfeiture of the ill-gotten gains. Instances of identity theft may also fall under other laws, such as fraud statutes.
5. Protecting your information is incredibly important. To do this, do not give out personal information. The Department of Justice recommends remembering the word SCAM: be STINGY with your information, CHECK your financial information regularly, ASK for a copy of your credit report (the federal government in 2005 made it easy to get a copy for free at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/, but be aware the site does ask for your Social Security number), and MAINTAIN careful records.
6. If you think you've been a victim of identity theft, don't panic. It's a very upsetting thing to be a victim of a crime but it is important to keep your head. Contact your financial institution immediately if you find a problem with a credit card. Contact your local police and any other appropriate agency. Be prepared to spend many hours dealing with the fallout of the crime.
7. Many homeowners' insurance policies now offer identity theft protection and assistance as an addendum to the policy. While the annual fee might seem high, it is a bargain compared to the damage a thief can do to your finances.
8. The credit reporting companies, as well as some banks and other places, offer credit monitoring services. If you are experiencing problems with your identity or have experienced identity theft, these may be a good investment if only for peace of mind.
9. When online, create passwords that do not use identifying numbers or words, such as your Social Security number, your mother's maiden name, your birthday, your pet's name, or consecutive numbers or letters.
10. Do not give out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary. Do not use this number on checks, driver's licenses, and even job applications if you can help it. Don't say the number aloud in a public place and do not let others say the number aloud.
11. Install a firewall and update your virus protection frequently. Use encryption where possible.
12. When shopping online, only use secure transaction sites.
13. Information about identity theft can be found at the Department of Justice website, privacyrights.org, annualcreditreport.com, and many other places. Learn all you can and be safe. It's pretty wicked out there.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 161st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed."
- Shakespeare, Othello, act iii. Sc. 3.
Today I am writing about identity theft.
1. Identity theft is a crime. It is a federal offense. Identity theft involves the use of someone else's personal data, and can include things like using a credit card number, stealing money from bank accounts, taking mail from the mailbox, or completely taking over someone's identity and pretending to be that person.
2. Your information can be obtained in numerous ways. Criminals can look over your shoulder while you punch in your card numbers on your cell phone. They can eavesdrop on open cell or cordless phone conversations. They can rummage through the trash for all of those "preapproved" credit card offers you receive in the mail. They can find hack accounts on the Internet and obtain your Social Security number, you bank numbers, your passwords - pretty much anything.
3. With a certain amount of identifying information, a criminal can take over your good name, run up charges in your name, obtain medical care in your name, and cause great harm to your reputation. People have had to spend thousands to restore their name.
4. Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act in 1998. Conviction carries a maximum 15 years in prison, a fine, and forfeiture of the ill-gotten gains. Instances of identity theft may also fall under other laws, such as fraud statutes.
5. Protecting your information is incredibly important. To do this, do not give out personal information. The Department of Justice recommends remembering the word SCAM: be STINGY with your information, CHECK your financial information regularly, ASK for a copy of your credit report (the federal government in 2005 made it easy to get a copy for free at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/, but be aware the site does ask for your Social Security number), and MAINTAIN careful records.
6. If you think you've been a victim of identity theft, don't panic. It's a very upsetting thing to be a victim of a crime but it is important to keep your head. Contact your financial institution immediately if you find a problem with a credit card. Contact your local police and any other appropriate agency. Be prepared to spend many hours dealing with the fallout of the crime.
7. Many homeowners' insurance policies now offer identity theft protection and assistance as an addendum to the policy. While the annual fee might seem high, it is a bargain compared to the damage a thief can do to your finances.
8. The credit reporting companies, as well as some banks and other places, offer credit monitoring services. If you are experiencing problems with your identity or have experienced identity theft, these may be a good investment if only for peace of mind.
9. When online, create passwords that do not use identifying numbers or words, such as your Social Security number, your mother's maiden name, your birthday, your pet's name, or consecutive numbers or letters.
10. Do not give out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary. Do not use this number on checks, driver's licenses, and even job applications if you can help it. Don't say the number aloud in a public place and do not let others say the number aloud.
11. Install a firewall and update your virus protection frequently. Use encryption where possible.
12. When shopping online, only use secure transaction sites.
13. Information about identity theft can be found at the Department of Justice website, privacyrights.org, annualcreditreport.com, and many other places. Learn all you can and be safe. It's pretty wicked out there.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 161st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Books: Lucid Intervals
Lucid Intervals
By Stuart Woods
Audio approx. 8 hours
Copyright 2010
Read by Tony Roberts
Stone Barrington is a lawyer and former police officer who often acts as a detective. This is one in the series.
Barrington is a guy's hero and my husband likes these books. I checked this one out of the library to listen to in the car during our ill-fated trip to Myrtle Beach in September. We heard about half of it during that adventure and then finished the remainder of the book in the evenings when there was nothing on TV.
Our hero is hired to find a missing MI6 agent from England. The man has been missing for 12 years, having vanished the day after his superiors learned he was doing some un-agenty type things. Someone wants the man dead now.
His employer is a beautiful woman named Dame Felicity. Of course he beds her and she takes him to social dinners where only the elite can go.
A subplot involves a guy named Herbie, who has won the lottery. He has no brains and later is charged with murder.
My husband gave the book a thumbs up. The hero is not exactly my kind of guy but he is okay. I recommend the series to anyone who likes books with male lead characters, intrigue, high society, guns and airplanes, and a little bit of sexual titillation thrown in for good measure.
By Stuart Woods
Audio approx. 8 hours
Copyright 2010
Read by Tony Roberts
Stone Barrington is a lawyer and former police officer who often acts as a detective. This is one in the series.
Barrington is a guy's hero and my husband likes these books. I checked this one out of the library to listen to in the car during our ill-fated trip to Myrtle Beach in September. We heard about half of it during that adventure and then finished the remainder of the book in the evenings when there was nothing on TV.
Our hero is hired to find a missing MI6 agent from England. The man has been missing for 12 years, having vanished the day after his superiors learned he was doing some un-agenty type things. Someone wants the man dead now.
His employer is a beautiful woman named Dame Felicity. Of course he beds her and she takes him to social dinners where only the elite can go.
A subplot involves a guy named Herbie, who has won the lottery. He has no brains and later is charged with murder.
My husband gave the book a thumbs up. The hero is not exactly my kind of guy but he is okay. I recommend the series to anyone who likes books with male lead characters, intrigue, high society, guns and airplanes, and a little bit of sexual titillation thrown in for good measure.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday Thirteen #160
Today, I thought I'd offer up a list of some of the books in my "to read" pile. I haven't read them so these aren't recommendations.
1. A Writer's Book of Days, by Judy Reeves. "A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life."
2. Voices, by Ursula K. Le Guin. "Themes of revenge, family legacies, personal morality, and a humanistic magic redolent more of earthy mysteries than flashy sorcery."
3. The Power of Story, by Jim Loehr. "Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life."
4. How to Write Mysteries, by Shannon OCork. "The howdunits of whodunits are no longer a mystery. Inside you'll learn how to spin intriguing yarns guaranteed to keep your readers in suspense until the very last word."
5. A Break With Charity, by Ann Rinaldi. "A story about the Salem Witch Trials."
6. Breathtaking, by Lorin Roche, Ph.D., "Lessons in Breathing to Enhance Your Health and Joy of Living."
7. The Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction, ed. by Susan Burmeister-Brown & Linda B. Swanson-Davies. "In excerpts from interviews conducted over a sixteen-year period, and preserved by the editors of the highly respected literary quarterly Glimmer Train Stories and its newsletter Writers Ask, contemporary writers who rarely discuss their craft present you with eye-opening techniques, diverse perspectives, and genuine encouragement."
8. Yoga for Dummies, by Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D. and Larry Payne, Ph.D. "A tremendous service for yoga enthusiasts and health professionals."
9. 8 Minute Meditation, by Victor Davich. "Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life."
10. The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver. "An epic journey from the Mexico of artists Diege Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR and J. Edgar Hoover."
11. Becoming Queen Victoria, by Kate Williams. "The tragic death of Princess Charlotte and the unexpected rise of Britain's greatest monarch."
12. The Lindar Diamond, by Katie Hickman. "A gripping historical tale of love and avarice in Venice."
13. Snowbound, by Richard S. Wheeler. "A haunting novel about hubris and its consequences."
My "to read" pile is rather large; actually, probably, the largest it has ever been as this is just the tip of it. I definitely don't need another trip to the bookstore anytime soon.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 160th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
1. A Writer's Book of Days, by Judy Reeves. "A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life."
2. Voices, by Ursula K. Le Guin. "Themes of revenge, family legacies, personal morality, and a humanistic magic redolent more of earthy mysteries than flashy sorcery."
3. The Power of Story, by Jim Loehr. "Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life."
4. How to Write Mysteries, by Shannon OCork. "The howdunits of whodunits are no longer a mystery. Inside you'll learn how to spin intriguing yarns guaranteed to keep your readers in suspense until the very last word."
5. A Break With Charity, by Ann Rinaldi. "A story about the Salem Witch Trials."
6. Breathtaking, by Lorin Roche, Ph.D., "Lessons in Breathing to Enhance Your Health and Joy of Living."
7. The Glimmer Train Guide to Writing Fiction, ed. by Susan Burmeister-Brown & Linda B. Swanson-Davies. "In excerpts from interviews conducted over a sixteen-year period, and preserved by the editors of the highly respected literary quarterly Glimmer Train Stories and its newsletter Writers Ask, contemporary writers who rarely discuss their craft present you with eye-opening techniques, diverse perspectives, and genuine encouragement."
8. Yoga for Dummies, by Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D. and Larry Payne, Ph.D. "A tremendous service for yoga enthusiasts and health professionals."
9. 8 Minute Meditation, by Victor Davich. "Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life."
10. The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver. "An epic journey from the Mexico of artists Diege Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR and J. Edgar Hoover."
11. Becoming Queen Victoria, by Kate Williams. "The tragic death of Princess Charlotte and the unexpected rise of Britain's greatest monarch."
12. The Lindar Diamond, by Katie Hickman. "A gripping historical tale of love and avarice in Venice."
13. Snowbound, by Richard S. Wheeler. "A haunting novel about hubris and its consequences."
My "to read" pile is rather large; actually, probably, the largest it has ever been as this is just the tip of it. I definitely don't need another trip to the bookstore anytime soon.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 160th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Doe Whistle
Does make a snorting, whistling sound when they are frightened or are trying to attract your attention so they can see if they need to run from you.
In this video, you can hear the whistles of does off camera as they try to get me to move. I was afraid to turn around because I knew I would make them all run.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Bucks Clash 2010
This is my first video. The bucks are fighting in my front yard. It was about 7 a.m. on Saturday morning; very dark. I had just woke and hadn't had anything to drink.
At the end I fell off the stool I was sitting on. You don't see that on the video though.
Hope you like it.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Thursday Thirteen
Autumn is one of my two favorite seasons (the other being Spring) and so I thought I'd celebrate by listing 13 reasons for this season.
1. The leaf color. Those wonderful reds, oranges, and gold from Mother Nature leave me breathless as Autumn takes over my beloved Blue Ridge Mountains.
2. Cooler weather. After a summer which had more than 50 ninety-degree days in its number, the break from the heat is exceedingly welcome.
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3. School. I don't go to school anymore but I used to be quite the geek. I loved school and I miss taking classes.
4. Halloween. This is my favorite holiday although I don't really celebrate it. I have always enjoyed the scare and the idea of honoring the dead (although I don't think trick or treat quite does that). Boo!
5. Thanksgiving. Yes, Thanksgiving is still in Autumn! It's a great holiday and a wonderful reminder to count your blessings.
6. Winter squash. I love butternut squash, acorn squash... even pumpkins! Yum.
7. Turning on the heat on a chilly morning. It's like magic!
8. Watching the fog rise from Catawba Creek and Stone Coal Gap and up into the sky.
9. Seeing deer romp in the front yard, and watching young bucks with velvet turn into strapping, huge-bodied deer with horns.
10. Autumn festivals that feature apple-butter making, pumpkins, banjo music, and crafts.
11. Apples! I love apples, apple cider, apple butter, apple pie, cooked apples . . . even better than squash! Yum!
12. New television season. I haven't found much on that I care to watch but at least there is something different to see.
13. The end of humidity for a while. Thank goodness!
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a number of years and this is my 159th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Monday, October 04, 2010
Smilin' Monday
But we won't think about those bitter days to come. Instead let's rejoice in the bright days we have right now!
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Happy Day
Wishing all of my readers and blogging friends a spectacular Sunday. May the road rise to meet you, may the breezes be gentle, may grace be bestowed upon you like a soft kiss from a mother's lips.
Peace to you all.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Animals on Parade
Turkeys from the front window. Gobble gobble!
There were 20 of them marching along the fence line.
They pay no heed to the woman behind the glass.
I slipped out the back door hoping to snap a picture without the glass and window screen in the way.
Hi there, I'm the big daddy deer.
I sneak around the corners!
Friday, October 01, 2010
The Eyeglasses Saga
Seeing is one of those things that I find necessary. I did not obtain glasses until I was about 12 years old, though I needed them much sooner, and as a result I tend to want my eyesight perfect.
In January I went to visit a different opthamologist because the man I had been seeing for 20 years retired.
I was having trouble reading and knew it was time for bifocals.
The doctor suggested progressive lenses, and that is what I went with.
They gave me a great deal of trouble. In the end, I went back to the eye doctor and he changed the prescription in my right eye. The optician changed the prescription in my reading glasses and sunglasses, too.
After that, I adjusted well to the progressive lenses and had no trouble with them.
Fast forward to the first part of August. My nephew gives me a hug and in the process my glasses are scratched. It is, of course, the right lens.
I have a scratch warranty on the eyeglasses, so I call and ask for the replacement.
Once I receive the replacement, I find I have trouble reading. I can see out of my left eye alright but the right one is problematic again. I can't read anything out of that eye with my progressive lenses. However, I can read just fine with my reading glasses.
I spend five weeks adjusting the lenses, going back and forth to the shop. The woman at the shop suggests it might be allergies and dry eye causing the problem, so I start using more artificial tear drops.
There was no improvement, so today I went back to the eye doctor.
He told me my prescription in my right eye has changed and is now better with the prescription I had initially. Not the one I had been seeing out of for months, but the one that he changed in January. Which is a lesser strength than what I had been using.
He seemed as perplexed as I. We went over my medications but he did not think they could be causing the problem. He even suggested it might be the time of day.
None of this makes sense to me since my reading glasses are fine.
But now the eyeglass shop (which, by the way, is owned by the eye doctor) is making me a new lens with the lesser prescription.
I have no idea if this will fix the problem. If it doesn't, the next time it will cost me as I was told this was the last time they would replace the lenses at no charge to me.
In January I went to visit a different opthamologist because the man I had been seeing for 20 years retired.
I was having trouble reading and knew it was time for bifocals.
The doctor suggested progressive lenses, and that is what I went with.
They gave me a great deal of trouble. In the end, I went back to the eye doctor and he changed the prescription in my right eye. The optician changed the prescription in my reading glasses and sunglasses, too.
After that, I adjusted well to the progressive lenses and had no trouble with them.
Fast forward to the first part of August. My nephew gives me a hug and in the process my glasses are scratched. It is, of course, the right lens.
I have a scratch warranty on the eyeglasses, so I call and ask for the replacement.
Once I receive the replacement, I find I have trouble reading. I can see out of my left eye alright but the right one is problematic again. I can't read anything out of that eye with my progressive lenses. However, I can read just fine with my reading glasses.
I spend five weeks adjusting the lenses, going back and forth to the shop. The woman at the shop suggests it might be allergies and dry eye causing the problem, so I start using more artificial tear drops.
There was no improvement, so today I went back to the eye doctor.
He told me my prescription in my right eye has changed and is now better with the prescription I had initially. Not the one I had been seeing out of for months, but the one that he changed in January. Which is a lesser strength than what I had been using.
He seemed as perplexed as I. We went over my medications but he did not think they could be causing the problem. He even suggested it might be the time of day.
None of this makes sense to me since my reading glasses are fine.
But now the eyeglass shop (which, by the way, is owned by the eye doctor) is making me a new lens with the lesser prescription.
I have no idea if this will fix the problem. If it doesn't, the next time it will cost me as I was told this was the last time they would replace the lenses at no charge to me.
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