Seeing is Believing

Well, cataract surgery #1 is history.  I think the anticipation was worse than the event; I am so NOT a doctor person.... I go once a year for a routine check up, but only because I could not get my antibiotic prescription for sinus infections otherwise!!  So, having to have an EKG and pre-op exam was more than I've done in many years. 

I'd had a prior injury to the eye that could have posed complications,  so I sought out a specialist for the surgeon. The surgical center is some 70 miles from home, and the day before surgery we had a snow storm.  Because we were uncertain of the road conditions that faced us, we were up and out at 5:30AM on the day of surgery.  Afterwards the drive back home (over some terribly pot-holed roads) after anesthesia was NOT fun for my rumbly tummy!  Next morning, we were gone at 6AM for the drive back to have the bandages removed and the eye 'checked'. 

So, those were the challenges.  The end result, however, is so amazing that I would do it all over again if the challenges were 10 times what we experienced!  I cannot even begin to tell you, how wonderful it is to see "normally" after all these years.  I've worn corrective lenses for over 50 years and, in truth, I could throw them away right now!  That will actually happen in a few more weeks, after the second eye has its cataracts removed as well. For now, I have removed the left lens from my glasses (so I look funny as heck!).  It's a bit wierd, trying to adjust but I know it won't take long.  I am very grateful.

I am also thrilled to report that one of our injured deer has improved greatly and can now put weight on the broken leg.  I had been terribly concerned that she might not survive the winter, since I could see the bone through the leg, and the wound was terrible.  Mother Nature is amazing ~ I suspect our supplemental offerings of corn and horse feed helped her body to heal but all credit goes to the Creator♥  I secretly wish I could get closer to these beautiful animals, but in my heart I know they must remain wild and keep their distance from me.  My new telephoto lens will help me get photographs, though, and I am trying to learn to use it!  I would NOT rest until I figured out how to take a good picture of the moon, and was pleased with my first attempts capturing the "Worm Moon" last week.  By the time we saw it here, it was not the huge orb of Cosmo's Moon (remember, Moonstruck?).  But it was beautiful nonetheless, and I froze my keister standing outside until after midnight to get a photo that didn't have tree limbs in front (though some of those shots were pretty cool too, I must say!).

All in all, it's been an amazing week for me, and I want to thank all of my family and dear friends for their love and support.  So many folks are dealing with issues that are not as easily 'fixed', as my cataract. My prayers continue to be with them, and with the people of Japan who are dealing with a much broader and long-lasting trauma that is still not fully known.  May the Great Spirit watch over all, and direct us mortals in our efforts to resolve the dilemnas.

 

 

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Luther Standing Bear

Oglala Sioux

1868-1937

Out of the Indian approach to life there came a great freedom, an intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations.

Heartsick for the people of Japan

It's now been almost a week since Japan's devastating earthquake, and the tsunami which appears to have been even more devastating.  My heart breaks for the people of Japan... I simply cannot fathom the losses, and the grief, that these souls have endured, and I fear there is much more to come. 

I know I will make a donation to some relief effort although I have not done so yet.  At the moment, my country is providing the best possible efforts through our elite search and rescue teams, our military, doctors, and more.  Since I am a taxpayer, I am indeed already contributing to the effort. If I were in close proximity, I would go myself to help.  I think the human ... humane ... element is every bit as needed as is food, water and medicine.   I think that sometimes a hug, or the shoulder of a stranger to cry on, can provide a strength that nourishes the soul and gives one hope to continue on through the rubble. 

I pray for the people of Japan. The government - not so much.  I apologize if this thought is unsettling to anyone, it has been on my mind since the disaster occurred and has been banging around more loudly in my head every day, as more less-than-honest information from officials has been disseminated. It seems to me they have not been giving honest accounts from the onset, about the nuclear energy reactors and the third leg of this disaster that could prove far more fatal than the earthquake and tsunami. 

I have to talk about this.  Some may understand, many may not.  But I must separate the people who are suffering this human tragedy, from the Japan that killed my family members.  My Dad was in World War 2, others of my family as well.  Not all came back.  Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor pulled the USA into the war, that is unmistakable.  Would we have been drawn in otherwise? Probably.  Did we miss signals of the impending attack that could have saved lives.  Yes.  It's not all "Japan's fault", not by a long shot.  But my Dad, who talks very little about the war, told me about those pilots that never returned.  The planes made by Mitsubishi, piloted by kamikazes ... images in my mind probably placed there as a youngster, not far removed from the war, that I cannot shake.

In war, it used to be said "to the Victor goes the spoils".  The United States was prominent in rebuilting Japan following WW2... helping to turn this country smaller than California is the third largest economy in the world.  I sincerely hope that the United States is not giving a blank check to Japan's government, at a time when we cannot take care of our own people.  The people of Japan should be helped immediately without consideration of the expense involved.  Yes, we should be there and doing all in we can, but we should NOT be bearing the full expense of our endeavors on behalf of the country of Japan. 

Our economy is rebuilding from near economic catastrophy ... something not just of OUR doing because other countries, and people from other countries participated and profited from some of the practices that brought our financial system to its knees.  Unscrupulous people inhabit all walks of life, all genders, all countries.  We cannot afford to be the rescuer to the world when we could use a life preserver ourself!  And I wonder, if such a disaster were to strike California, which of our Allies would jump to action and worry about cost or consequence later?  Who would be here for us? Great Britain, Canada, for sure. Japan? I rather doubt it....

So please forgive me if my thoughts and feelings expressed here are fragmented; if I appear "unforgiving". I simply do not trust nor believe the government of Japan.  I am one who trusts my instincts, and things have happened in my life time that would seem to validate those instincts.  On December 7, 1994, my husband decided to go buy a new TV while I was at work.  He drove 125 miles to get the "good deal" and brought it home, had it all set up but waited for me for the ceremonial "surprise" flip of the switch to turn on the largest TV we'd ever owned.  The moment I saw the surprise, I exclaimed my displeasure simultaneously as he pushed the remote to turn on the TV ... a large white ball projected onto the screen just before a loud internal noise, and the picture tube blew immediately.  Did I mention, it was a Mitsubishi TV? 

So, I am horrified and in pain for the people of Japan.  I am praying, and am almost morbidly watching for any sliver of joy to come from that hell zone.  I will donate, to the people who have been so traumatized, who have lost so much.  But to the sneaky government ... I have little sympathy.

Addendum 3.18.2011
After a few days, I have a few more charitable thoughts.  Considering the magnitude of the disaster, I think the Emperor may have been in shock and or denial about the nuclear threat that loomed on his watch.  And yet his people and working heroically to try to avert a worst case scenario.  Some are undoubtedly giving their life for their country and for man.  How terrible, this tragedy.

I still won't buy any Three Diamonds pineapple, or anything else Mitsubishi...

Uplifting

Today, I start the routine of putting drops in my left eye, in preparation for the cataract surgery.  I'm incredibly nearsighted, so have to remove my glasses and stand very close to the full length mirror in order to see, to get the drops in properly.  Man ... being that close  ... well, let's just say, I've added to the data proving the effects of gravity over time.

Some time back, I heard of a radical new facelift procedure that was being tested.  I don't think I could ever have surgery, or injections or whatever, personally.  I have a hard enough time with absolutely necessary procedures.  But I heard the story about a woman who tried this new procedure.

It seems, the plastic surgeon developed a system with a knob hidden in the woman's hair.  When the facial skin started to sag, the woman just had to give the knob a twist to tighten things up a bit.  Unfortunately, this woman was one who thought that more of a good thing is even better, and she became addicted to twisting the knob.  Every day, she would give it just a tiny tic... maybe two if she was going out with her "old" friends.  Before too long, though, she began to notice undesirable changes that would not go away with another slight adjustment of the knob, so she went back to the plastic surgeon. "Why can't I get rid of these bags under my eyes?", she cried.

"Well," said the doctor, "you've stretched the knob system far beyond any of our expectations". He shook his head. "Sadly, those are not bags under your eyes, they are your breasts."

Realization could be seen in her eyes.  "Ah", she said. "That explains the goatee"

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Eagle Chief (Letakos-Lesa) Pawnee

     In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals, for Tirawa, the One Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beast, and that from them, and from the stars and the sun and moon should man learn ~ all things tell of Tirawa.

     All things in the world are two. In our minds we are two, good and evil. With our eyes we see two things, things that are fair and things that are ugly.... We have the right hand that strikes and makes for evil, and we have the left hand full of kindness, near the heart. One foot may lead us to an evil way, the other foot may lead us to a good. So are all things two, all two.