I realized a couple of years ago that my vision seemed off. Looking out of my right eye only, everything had an amber hue. My optometrist actually told me it was normal to see color differently out of each eye. Hmmm. I didn't buy it. Then a couple of years ago, I was told I had the signs of a developing cataract in that right eye, but that surgery wasn't covered by insurance until DMV determined my vision was a problem. I'm an excellent driver and have never had a ticket. My license was automatically renewed by mail for 20 years. I don't think DMV would ever know my vision was whonky! To cut to the chase, I was diagnosed with the start of a cataract in the 2nd eye and, as the family unicorn, was informed it was the more unusual type that started around the outer part of the lens and spread like bicycle spokes toward the center. I had given up working on my quilt project, embroidery and any soldering because I couldn't see properly and began having problems with tasks as simple as threading my machine or hand needle.
My first surgery was in December 2023, the second eye done just a few weeks later in January. Color seems so much bolder and I felt confident enough to tackle my first artsy project - painting a few calling cards used for sharing my contact information with a flair so they aren't tossed out! My near vision is still a little blurry and will certainly require reading glasses. The pairs I snagged at the pharmacy make me feel like Mr. Magoo. Ugh. My eyeballs are also super dry and, of course, the million dollar eye drops aren't covered by my costly PPO insurance. Thanks again, Cigna.
It has taken until May to leave the house and not panic that I don't have eyedrops on me. My vision is pretty darn good, although I do need reading glasses even with the bazillion dollar tri-focal implants. Fibbers!
Our home is now officially an empty nest. No longer do I have to work at a rickety Ikea desk that was in my young daughter's room back in 1995. Nor do I have to work surround by litterboxes. Blech. I have invested in my first actual (and adjustable) sewing table MEANT for sewing, plus a new chair. My new work area is in a large guest room with great windows providing a beautiful view and terrific light. OK, I did keep the Ikea desk to make a larger work space, but the new table in the centerpiece of my new little world.
To help me with creative inspiration, I signed up for several classes on the site Domestika. One is about learning the ins and outs of a DSLR camera. I've owned a great Nikon for a few years and am the worst photographer ever because I have no idea what I'm doing. Artist Suzanne Allard also has some fun and encouraging online courses, one of which I've begun. Lastly, there was a Facebook post by the "America Connects" folks that (for a fee) provides a theme, color pallet and instructions to create a small painting, the image of which is included in a large public mural project. I was nauseous with nerves, but signed up and submitted a photo of my little painting of my granddaughter in the color required. I think it came out ok!
I used the cheater method given my lack of skill and experience, creating a posterized version of a photo and tracing the outline of the various shades as a starter. All I cared about is that she saw it and exclaimed, "That's me!" I'll be framing the original and putting in her room here at Grandma's house. As my vision improves and my confidence grows, I'll try something else.
