Update

I am all through with Doctors appointments until March now..what a relief. I saw the eye Doctor, my eyes are healing well, everyday is getting better. I am still frustrated by the stupid reading glasses..before I never needed glasses to read and would often take my glasses off to read. Now I have to put on readers 1.75 ones to read. I got one of those straps so I can wear them around my neck, I have learned to take them off during meals..they end up with food on them..perhaps I need a bib.

I can see really good..20/20 and 20/30..I swear I have the eyes of a new born baby now. The only thing is I am so used to pushing up my glasses that I absent mindedly do it all day long. I also take my non existent glasses off in the sauna and sit them on the shelf in the dressing room. I put them on the ledge in the bath tub, I sit them on the the counter in the kitchen when I wash my hair in the sink. I was wearing my glasses 24/7 even at night..just in case I woke up in the middle of the night I could watch TV..I have slept with my glasses on for years. Now I only have these readers...that will be replaced by prescription readers in about three weeks. One positive thing I have noticed is that I no longer have to deal with glasses fogging up..yippee!! I will say that it is a fairly expensive surgery..so you want to have good insurance in place.. I am just guessing at this point..but I think the total bill will be just under 20,000. Uffda.

It has been a real struggle to gain back my sight, those cataracts sneak up on you really fast. Long ago I would have just been the blind old grandma that sat in a rocking chair in the corner, unable to do any reading, handwork, cooking or housekeeping.

Yesterday I drove all by myself over to my cousins...this was the first time I have ventured more than two miles from home by myself in months. I can see to drive again!! I went to visit my cousin V, she had a brain aneurysm that was repaired at the Mayo Clinic. It was a fluke that they found it..she is recovering nicely and we had a good visit.

I got an email from Judy about Smiley the Springer Spaniel that was rescued " Thought you'd like to know that Smiley has been adopted. Not by us - although we were interested. Another family expressed interest before we did, and ultimately they will be getting him. They look very happy and I'm sure Smiley will have a good home." So that was a good update to hear.

I have been cleared to go back to my exercise routine..I have missed it..the group is now doing inverted sit ups ..my sister in law..she who sees robins first can do well over fifty of them. ( Imagine hanging by your ankles at about a 45 degree angle..they are animals..Far Guy too.) I did 1/2 of 2..as Far Guy pushed on my back to help me complete them. I have a long way to go...I will never catch up..but I will have fun trying! :)

Making a Difference

Some days I wonder, is all this drivel I write worth the effort? Who really cares anyway? What difference will it make, will my Grandchildren ever read it? Will their Mothers ever allow them to read what I have left behind? Today it doesn't matter.. cause I made a difference. No not a big earth shattering difference, a little difference..sometimes little itty bitty differences go a long way in the middle of a Minnesota winter.

I heard from a long time friend, Judy..she and her husband love dogs as much as Far Guy and I do. They have two wonderful dogs Jake and Molly.  She sent me this email after she read Ringo's Story.

Thank you for sharing the story about Ringo. I told the folks at the Ottertail County Humane Society about it as they are dealing with a similar situation. Someone was fostering a springer spaniel in town. He escaped as a garage door was closing and they have not yet been able to catch him. There is a man who has been feeding him and it sounds like they are going to try a live trap. So, hopefully they will be successful like you were. This dog happens to be very fearful of humans.


Take care.
Judy

I wrote back: Hi Judy, Maybe Ringo's story had a purpose..let me know how it turns out..Thanks Judy:) Connie

Later I got this one!
Hi Connie -- I just got the word -- they have Smiley in the live trap and are going to pick him up now. They said now he will have to go into some "socialization rehab" for a while. I think that means he goes visiting to the board members homes. I don't know! Judy

Of course I wrote back!
Hi Judy, I would like to quote you in my blog tomorrow..is that OK or do you wish to remain anoymous? How ever you spell that word? Anymore news about Smiley? Connie

Hi Connie,
I would be honored to be quoted in your blog! I called and inquired about Smiley today. The worker said he is still very timid. A volunteer had sat in his kennel with him for a while today. I'm going to go see him tomorrow. So maybe I will be part of the socialization rehab!


The way I found out about him is that he is one of the dogs pictured on the Otter Tail County Humane Society web page. Then we noticed an ad in the local newspaper trying to locate him. after he ran away.


They call him Smiley because when he gets used to a person he will sometimes flash a pearly white smile their way.


Judy

Like I said last Saturday..Ringo's Story was written in my mind for a long time. I felt a need to share it..and Smiley must have been the reason. A timid dog was captured in time to be given another chance at a good life, I bet that Judy will make a difference in Smileys life too, Far Guy and I are betting that just maybe this is meant to be..and Jake and Molly are going to have a new brother.  At the very least Judy will be tempted.

Smiley's story is not a new one, he was found in a shed, hungry and abused..it will probably take a long time for him to trust again, but at least for today he is safe and warm:)
**All photos courtesy of Chance.