I can see clearly now!

In the past six or seven months, I noticed that I lost the ability to read my phone without wearing my glasses. I have worn glasses for as long as I can remember. I am near-sighted in one eye and far-sighted in the other, or as my friends used to say, cockeyed. I kept this same cockeyed vision even after having cataract surgery in both eyes a few years ago. With the new blurriness, I assumed I needed new glasses.

Eventually, I realized something else was happening because I saw weird lines and other anomalies. Time to call the doctor. After a visit to my Optometrist in Los Angeles, I have, in layman's terms, a "secondary cataract." My right eye (reading eye) was worse, and the left was starting to get the same blurry film. I also found out that I have a freckle on my eye.

Two weeks later, I was back in Los Angeles for laser treatment at the Ophthalmologist's office. She suggested we do both eyes since the left would eventually have to be done. Ten minutes after I agreed, I was dilated, gelled, and lasered.

Twenty minutes later, my friend and I sat down for dinner at a dimly lit restaurant, and as she offered to read the menu to me, I looked at my phone and WOW, perfect vision.

Since the "secondary cataracts" developed over time, I didn't realize how blurry my vision had become. Now, I can see that my wrinkles are considerably more profound than I thought, and there are many. Also, every dust bunny has come out of hiding, every scratch on the floor is more prominent, the windows are a disgrace, and every streak on the glass table is more evident.

The good news is, I will dare any of my tennis buddies to dispute my line calls. Not only can I see where the ball landed with pinpoint accuracy, but I see it instead of a wad of yellow fur coming at me.

Every weed is visible in the garden; however, this hasn't motivated me to do anything about it. The garden is fading slowly, and we still have tomatoes, spaghetti, and butternut squash. I don't see enough leaves on the ground to get out the rake, but I guess besides changing wardrobes for the season, we will exchange the lawnmower for the rake and big leaf bags.

I've already started to store my sandals and sundresses and move the thermal underwear, warm socks, and scarves to within reach. Of course, now I can see all my mistakes knitting them, but warmth takes precedence.

As I bring out the sweaters, it's a good time to check out any stains before wearing them. Yesterday, I looked down at my sweatshirt and noticed it had spots all over it. Even though Mugsy may have been the only one who noticed, I was embarrassed.

Now that I can read my phone more easily, I have no excuse for my mistake in arranging my return. I booked the 7:00 a.m. flight from Burbank to Seattle, connecting to Walla Walla at 10:45 a.m. Even with my improved vision, I couldn't find the connecting gate information on the flight status board at the airport. I reread my phone, and it was 10:45 p.m. Duh. Thankfully, there was room on the earlier flight. I closed and rested my eyes.