Surviving a Harsh Winter

Surviving a harsh winter is quite easy.  In fact, there are only two requirements.

1)  Be a cat.

2)  Live with the Ethiers 

 Gustav and Mogollon survive the polar vortex.  Barely.

Gustav seeks out some supplemental warmth.  

Anyway, it's all over for now.  It's sunny and mild today, and we went for our first walk in well over a week.  The snow is melting and it's pretty wet everywhere.  But it feels lovely.

Yesterday was Imbolg, and our Brigid doll is out on the mantelpiece, encouraging Spring to hurry along.  Usually for us at this time it is still deep winter, and we postpone our celebration until mid-February, when the thaw often arrives.  Since it is now virtually impossible to predict climate anymore, we celebrated yesterday because the temperature rose slightly above freezing.  A real wood fire, some great music, food, and looking at art on-line, made for a wonderful afternoon and evening.

Brigid catches some sunlight atop our mantel.  She will be put away when

we are certain that Spring is just around the corner.  This year the thaw 

arrived the same day she came out of her box. 

  

My reading eyes have changed, as I knew they would.  I can no longer see anything close up with either eye.  My reading glasses seem to still work, but my piano playing and computer glasses are no longer effective.  It will be at least a month until I am allowed to visit my optometrist for a new prescription.  In the meantime I will try some drug store reading glasses.  My distance vision has never been better, however!  I am anxious to try the new right eye lens at the telescope eyepiece.  Later this week, if it is clear.

Mapman Mike

Post Surgery Life

Two days after cataract surgery it's as if nothing ever happened, other than it's a lot brighter around here.  I began reading again today, and resumed piano practice.  For the third day in a row we are out in bitter cold and wind, this time for Deb's eye checkup.  About two minutes is the length of time one can remain outside; after that, you are approaching shock.  We have had no mail delivery for two days now, due to the cold.  Deb's new glasses will be ready in about two weeks.  That takes care of this week's appointments.  Next week I return to my eye surgeon for a final check up, and I go for my annual retina check up (part 1 of 2) with a retina specialist.  So it continues.

Usually before and after cataract surgery three kinds of eye drops are required, and must be taken for just over one month.  My doctor has been pioneering dropless surgery, and I took him up on his offer.  It cost $200, but is worth every penny, in my opinion.  He uses a tiny syringe (not a needle), and while the incision is still open, and after he has removed the old lens and put in the new plastic one, he squeezes in 2 ccs of drops.  Done!  So far, so good.  I have invited the good doctor and his family out to the observatory when it warms up a bit, and he seems keen to come out.  He knows that I bought higher grade lenses because of my hobby.

I have started reading my 2nd novel by J.G. Ballard, one of the authors in the Avon/Equinox rediscovery Series.  This one is called The Drowned World, and was one of three he wrote with different end-of-the-world scenarios.  The first one I read (part of the Rediscovery series) was The Crystal World, and I really really really like it.  None of the catastrophes in these two books was caused by humans; rather, something out there caused it.  While his plot lines are rather well-tread, the characters and situations are totally unique, and are what make his writing so fascinating.  Deb began by reading aloud to me on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I am off on my own again now.  I am also nearly finished reading the Bruegel catalogue from Vienna, Part 1.  Part 2 was a download of 5 illustrated essays, published only on-line so far for catalogue owners.  The exhibit was a mammoth scholarly undertaking.

We are three days into the latest polar vortex, with about 24 hours more to go.  Saturday brings relief, with perfect timing for our Imbolg/Brigid Festival.  So far the 50 year old boiler has been doing a fantastic job!  I am looking forward to resuming the walking program, which has been at a standstill due to certain weather issues.  With January now over, it's nearly time to think of better things than winter.  Yesterday, we were not only colder than Antarctica, but colder than Sudbury, a very rare event!  However, they are so buried in snow that it is nearly unimaginable.  Steve chatted with me yesterday.  They have metres of the stuff piled high.  And they are welcome to it.

Mapman Mike