‘I once was blind but now I see’

Okay, so that’s a slight exaggeration, but it is also a favourite line from a hymn and it perfectly expresses my excitement about advances in my optical world.

Yesterday’s visit to the opticians confirmed what I expected:  I have been living in an increasingly fuzzy world. I can just about see everything in focus so long as it’s an arm stretch away. But, without reading glasses,  anything within that range is a complete blur to me.

I have about 10 pairs of (cheap) reading glasses. The idea being that there should always be a pair at arm’s reach if not on top of my head.  But alas, this is not always the case and I have had some notable recent disasters.

There was the cumin in the crumble incident. I made, not one, but two huge apple crumbles (one to go to Matthew’s student house) and liberally sprinkled cinnamon all over the apples. At least that’s what I thought I was doing!

Be honest, could you have told the difference?  I could only make out the big ‘C’.

Just as a point to note: apple crumble made with cumin doesn’t taste very nice. It’s a kind of ‘curried crumble’ taste. However, several boys in Matthew’s flat appeared not to notice or care.

Then last week, I took some lovely body lotion into the bathroom with me to slather it on after my bath. But it didn’t quite rub in properly… because it  was hair conditioner.  But it sure looked like body lotion to me:

Then finally one breakfast, I put my milk on my breakfast cereal and popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds ‘to take the  chill off’ , came back 5 minutes later and realised I’d set it for 30 minutes.  Fried Krispies anyone?

(For about 2 years now, David has done most of the cooking and I suspect it’s because he knows I’m very cavalier about the small print on the instructions).

Anyway the optician expressed great surprise that my close up vision should be so poor at the age of 32! What a very nice man.  I am now waiting for a super dooper x ray version of varifocals which should bring my world into view.  Actually these are mostly needed for reading first thing in the morning and last thing at night. The rest of the time I wear contact lenses to correct my short sight and I have needed the reading glasses on top of these which is a right nuisance.

I can see to drive and walk about, I can see people across the street. But without the reading glasses, I can’t see my sermon notes, my own watch, or the texts on my mobile.  But GOOD NEWS, they have finally developed varifocal contact lenses. Ooo! I can’t wait.  Could it really be that I might be able to see again without the aid of glasses? I’ll let you know.